Starting a new school year is like starting over. Not many professions are like that, where one can perfect their practice every year and make a conscious decision about it. There's that break between school years where I can pause to think about what I can do to make this year better, more perfect; it's a chance to really hone skills and actually see if I've made progress in being a better teacher.
I can't wait for this year to start. I'm teaching one junior class--and to my relief, no one from that tenth grade hell class from last year is in it. I sure don't want to see those kids again. The other four classes consist of advanced tenth graders... you know, the nerds, the gifted group. Oh, God... they'll actually turn in their homework. Here's to pulling long nights again...