The reasoning behind the title and this blog

As I was frantically trying to gather advice for my first year of teaching on the best tool available to me-- the Internet-- I noticed a few things: 1. There are a LOT of teacher blogs out there. Really cute, chevron-or-owl-themed blogs but an information overload for me. 2. There was no resource I could find (whether blog, book or random Facebook rambling) that gave me any insight into the actual experiences of a first-year teacher.

The reason for the latter point became pretty obvious: What first-year teacher has time to create a thriving teaching blog? I mentally clung to the idea of making a blog once the summer after my first year hit, to offer whatever small amount of advice I could to those who found themselves in the unfortunate yet also exciting group known as new teachers.

I realize my experiences could differ vastly from yours. But, dear reader, I believe we will overlap in our undertakings more than any other slice of the profession. As new teachers, we have unique challenges and joys, and I think we should stick together through that, don't you?

The title of the blog has perhaps already made itself apparent to you. Your first year of teaching will probably be like mine, characterized by an assortment of highs and lows-- whims and woes, if you will.

Some moments, you will be filled with wonder and joy because of the children you have been entrusted with.

Like when one of your fiercely independent 6-year-old boys totes a stuffed bear dressed in Spiderman underpants in his backpack. Or when your students create animals and people out of construction paper for you during their free time. Or when they are bubbling over with excitement to write a letter to the author of one of their favorite book series, "A to Z Mysteries." 

Then there are the woes of teaching that will inevitably find you, or you will bring upon yourself: behavior issues, administration/county/state pressure, meetings, insufficient planning and supplies. 

Your first criticism. You will get it. It doesn’t mean parents are entitled to it. It also doesn’t mean your world should crash down. (The first harsh criticism I got was countered by warm “Welcome to the club” sentiments from the other teachers, and that helped me immensely.)

Take heart, dear teacher.

Your students need you, and you need them. And you need a paycheck. You will say things you regret out of anger. You need to own it, apologize and move on. You, dear teacher, need to realize this: teaching is a profession in which the weight of your words hold so much more resonance than other environments. It is you who controls the winds of emotion in your classroom.  

Though you will make mistakes, children can be incredibly forgiving. And then you realize the near-instantaneous grace your 6-year-olds give you is probably the speed of the forgiveness you need to award them. No need to hold a grudge — that child will surprise you with his or her pleasantness at a later moment. 

So, if you are interested in learning a few tricks of the trade-- not from an experienced sage, but from one who has lived and vividly remembers those first moments as a teacher-- come, read and know.