The Smell of a New School Year!

The smell of a new school year is in the air! Teachers know what this is. It's more than the Back to School signs in the stores, football and volleyball camps before official practices begin, even a possible change in the weather.  It's teacher vehicles hanging out in the parking lot at school, fresh wax on the floors in the hallway, emails and letters from the principal reminding us of workshop days, and last minute attempts to get the most out of summer with short trips or vacations.  Teachers know once workshop begins their once free time is now dedicated to school time, adequate sleep is something we hope for on the weekends, and our bladders are back in training mode, only on call when the appropriate bell rings.

For me, I still have a month before workshop will be calling my name, but I have many friends and former colleagues that have received their calling to return in the next few weeks.  As I look back on summer 2013, I reflect on the house projects I got done (and some I still need to complete), quilts I finished, started, and also still need to complete, and the school work I tackled to get ahead of the game for the new school year.

So what did you accomplish this summer?  Is there something more you want to do?  Get it in now, do something you can share with your students when they walk into your classroom.  Use your summer experiences to make connections with your students all year long!  Teachers are real people, don't be afraid to let your students see the real you!