back in the saddle (yee-haw!)

In my experience, a teacher has four areas to tackle at the beginning of a new school year: arranging the room, decorating the room, managing supplies, planning lessons. I usually handle them in that order, and this year is no exception.

I went back to school today. I walked into my classroom and all I could see at first were the student desks. That's because our new custodian moved every other piece of furniture into the back corner of my room when he buffed the floor. EVERYTHING. My desk, the bookshelves, my little filing cabinet, the computer table, 3 other tables, my desk chair and a huge wheeled cabinet. I had to spend two hours moving furniture (and making little scratch marks all over the newly waxed floor).

Since all the furniture was already out of the way, I decided to reaarrrange my room. I've had the same layout for 3 years. This year, I'm going for a change. So far I like the way it looks. It seems more open. Of course, there aren't any kids in the room yet.

Speaking of which... I talked to our secretary today, and she showed me the most recent class list. Right now, there are only 6 kids whose parents have actually paid. (I love how they wait until the last minute.) But we're expecting 20 altogether. There are 2 new kids, 1 that I retained from last year, and 17 from last year's kindergarten class. This time last year, I was thrilled about having 25 on my list. Can you imagine what I'll be able to get done with only 20? Wow. It boggles the mind.

I'm going back in tomorrow to start decorating. That's the fun part. What other profession lets you redecorate every year? (I'll have to add interior designer to the ever growing list of things I do as a teacher.)