The first day of school is here. As this post goes up, little 6th – 8th grades are lining up and entering the building. Believe me they are little, some of my students will only be 12! I will be smiling and running totally on coffee and adrenaline.

Just like last year, I feel nervous and under prepared. Ahh. . . that’s just the way things are.

I’m starting something new again this year – teaching 7^th grade.

Every year I have mini-goals for the school year. After looking back at last year’s goals, it seems I failed miserably, so let’s try again.

1. No grading on the weekends – If this means I have to stay at school on Thursday until 6 that’s what I’m going to do.
2. Be consistent – Obviously this is always important for teaching, but I think it will be even more important for middle school.
3. Read – I’d still like to meet my year long goal of reading 25 books. I’m not quite half way to my goal which means I need to kick it into high gear.
4. Treat 7th graders like real people – Sometimes kids get treated like second class citizens. I want to treat them like I would want to be treated with respect, accountability, and a sense of humor.
5. Be calm, be patient, and breathe – I don’t know for a fact, but I’m guessing this year is going to be more trying than the last one. I’m going to work really hard to just roll with it and adjust.

Here’s to a productive and successful year.