It’s 11:35 p.m. on the night before the first day of a new school year. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be though, from time to time, my mind hovers over the thought that maybe I should have worked in my classroom this weekend.
There must be things I’ve forgotten to do, I tell myself. Labels I should have made. Signs I should have put up somewhere. Copies I should have ready for the first day. Or even the second day.
But when I finally stop obsessing over the mental list of all the things I think I should have done, I stop and remember what’s most important – to focus on the kids. Preparing for the first day all the way to the last day is really about being willing to take time, no matter how much, to build relationships with my students. How? By stopping whatever I’m doing to look them in the eye and to listen to them with an open heart. As long as I’m prepared to do that, everything will be fine. Everything will sort itself out.
I’ll be ready for whatever happens.
Tomorrow.
Crossposted to The Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Tuesday
Elisa Waingort 
I remember those nights when your mind won’t still from all the things I coulda, shoulda done. But then you distill it down to these important words about building relationships: “By stopping whatever I’m doing to look them in the eye and to listen to them with an open heart.” Just like you said, everything else will sort itself out if you remember this.
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And, it has. Great first two days. We’ve already had some nice discussions around #classroombookaday!
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You got it, Elisa. Building relationships is key! Happy Back-To-School.
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Thanks, Carol! Likewise!
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Yes, YES, Elisa! No truer words. I’m with kinders this year, and I make sure I ALWAYS get right down at their level, eye-to-eye when they are talking with me. It’s not always easy, but especially in these first weeks as I am building relationships with each of them, I want them to know I care about them, and that I SEE them! Have a great year.
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So important! Helps build healthy relationships.
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