Professor Sharon

100 Days Project — Day 1 — 5:45 a.m.

Well, I have to laugh this morning as I begin to write the first entry.  I got up very early on this first day of school to do some online research and writing only to discover that my Internet is down.  So the piece I was going to look up to read is inaccessible, not to mention a dictionary, and a few sites to use as resources.

This is flexibility – perhaps it’s best to be reminded of this important quality of teaching and learning on the first day of my venture.  As an early childhood teacher, I had plans, often elaborately written plans, that would quickly fly out the window when a child would come to school of a morning bursting with an important story to tell.  A story that begged for new reference books, new explanations, new desires to reproduce in blocks or clay or art products.  And a new story that would certainly entice classmates to pursue with you.  As a community college teacher, we think we are less waylaid by student needs to explore and know and learn; but even then, the best classes for me are those where this does indeed occur.  The questions entice, the disagreements flow as students work to understand  and connect this new piece of knowledge with old.

And, I don’t know about other geographic areas, but certainly here in New England, sometimes we are forced to be flexible simply because the weather has another plan for us.  Thanks to Irene, his past week has been one of rescheduled first days, reorganized spaces and bus rides, and even different buildings assigned wherein to have your first day of class – certainly bravo to these teachers and students.

So this morning’s lack of Internet asks me to consider my own thoughts on this first day of teaching, without referencing the great article my college’s President sent out yesterday (and thanks to Facebook, appeared on social media about the same time), or even information about just what is 100 days.  A dozen years or so ago when I was in the early care and education classroom, nowhere  was noted that day.  But, I know from my work supervising student teachers, 100 days is a part of the curriculum (here is where I would insert a link to a few books).

This morning, I am as I always am on the first day of class, a bit anxious.  I want to set a tone with my college students of one of your time will be well spent, you will learn something interesting, not only about some topic but yourself as well (and this will surprise you), but you will begin to experience the fascination, the thrill and yes, the joy, of learning.  Because that is what makes a life-long learner, the excitement of making connections between content and our lives. Many haven’t experienced this yet, but I have and the thrill of teaching for me is working to turn a student onto this life experience.  I also get overwhelmed with the job attached to teaching.  When I was a preschool teacher, on bad days, I would say “if only these children didn’t have parents.”  What I was bemoaning was the other part of teaching – not just the passing of knowledge along to someone, but the important, valuable and often most difficult work of setting the stage: the politics of an organization within which one works.

No other feelings last for long though, as I anticipate walking into the classroom and greeting these students who, I know when I remind myself, are just as anxious and excited as I am.

Here’s to first days of school everywhere!  Bring on the joy!