6 things teachers won’t tell students about the 1st day of school
Do you remember what the first day of school felt like? It was probably some mix of excitement about seeing all your friends again and nervousness about your new teachers and classes.
But have you ever wondered what the first day of school was like for your teachers?
With Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and other schools around the area starting back today, I decided to reach out to some area teachers to see what they think about the the first day of school.
Note: These are all teachers from Charlotte-area public and private schools. I didn’t use their names so that they would feel comfortable being honest, but they are all real people, I promise.
They’re nervous, too.
– “I just want to make it through the first day without tripping, spilling something on myself or saying something stupid.”
– “I think I’m more anxious about my students liking me than the other way around.”
First-day of school clothes are a thing for teachers.
– “I care about what I wear the first day. I don’t spend days and hours picking it out … however, I do care that I don’t look like a slob and try to look somewhat put together.”
– “I absolutely have my outfit picked out the night before, which may be normal for some people on a daily basis, but is a rare occurrence for me when it isn’t a special situation like the first day.”
I’ve officially become that one high school teacher who comes to school with uncombed hair and wrinkled clothes.
— Mark Vizcarra (@MarkVizcarra) August 21, 2015
They sometimes laugh at names and want to scare kids.
– “I get a lot of chuckles out of student’s names. Seriously, some of them are VERY ‘unique.’ I hope and pray to pronounce some of them half way correct the first time and then even more hope I remember how to pronounce them on Day 2.”
– “My goal is to scare at least 10 kids out of my (advanced math class). … More kids than usual signed up for the advanced class so I’m afraid some of them aren’t ready.”
They hit the snooze button, too.
– “I’m probably most scared that I will oversleep and miss the first couple classes after sleeping in all summer.”
At the end of they day, they care about the kids. A lot.
– “I am really hopeful that my kids give chemistry a chance, really any difficult course for that matter. … Don’t get me wrong, chemistry is tough, but I want my kids to tackle it without the mindset they will automatically fail.”
And sometimes at the end of the day they need a nap and a beer.
– “I’m really looking forward to my first accidental afternoon nap I take when I get home exhausted as can be. And maybe a beer to celebrate that evening, too.”
Photo: David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published August 24, 2015 at 1:00 AM with the headline "6 things teachers won’t tell students about the 1st day of school."