First Impressions

Every year in the first days back at school, when teachers get their class lists, reminds me of a snapshot of the NY stock exchange. Teachers in previous grades are offering advice on students. You often hear, "You have a great/ tough class this year." or "He needs to sit right next to you." the stories start being told and the lists are marked up with suggestions for seat placement or tricks. Then every year the kids come in and things begin to change. They all seem perfect at first. You think the other teachers misrepresented them. Then the honeymoon period ends. Some of them begin to show their true colors. I say "some" because I honestly believe that most students are not given a fair shake from previous teachers. Often the student/ teacher relationship is so different each year. In my past few years I've tried to a avoid the "stock market" gathering so I could formulate my own opinions and only seek out previous teachers when I needed validation. This year, on my new adventure, I have chosen to do this with teachers as well. I've been meeting new people everyday and I'm choosing to bypass the unsolicited opinions on other teachers and judge for myself. Stay tuned for how this turns out.