Journal: 1/05/06

Yesterday, Pine Point School, all 300+ of us, gathered again at 8:23 to begin the new year in our classrooms and offices. I felt jubilant, really, to see everyone again. I had a wonderful life during vacation – traveling to see my extended family in St. Louis, relaxing with books, working on writing projects, and enjoying the wintry outdoors whenever possible – but I was ready to get back with my students today. I was actually thrilled to see the first group of kids walk into my room this morning. Oddly enough, I don’t really think I was an especially efficient teacher today. I seemed to sort of float through the classes in a hazy and distracted way, even though I had planned them fairly carefully. Still, I might have been a at least a good teacher, because I somehow felt that a good deal of learning was happening throughout the day. (It reminded me of an old truth I’ve learned – that “I” don’t really do the teaching.) I felt somewhat little indolent during the day, having had a restless night, and I was contemplating skipping the faculty meeting. But luckily I decided to fulfill my obligation – and I’m glad I did. We watched a distressing film about child abuse, and it served to remind me of exactly why I’m proud of my profession. We teachers guard, as the film put it, “our country’s most precious natural resource – our children.” I’m honored and grateful to be entrusted with such an important task.