My first year of teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area I taught grade 1. The following year I had a grade 1/2 combination class. When I moved to New Orleans I started to move away from early childhood into the upper elementary grades and middle school. Although I returned to the early years classroom over the years, I mostly taught upper elementary. The last time I taught littles was about 13 years ago.
Last week I welcomed a brand new class of grade two’s. I will teach in the morning and my colleague will teach in the afternoon.
And, everything is an adjustment. But if truth be told, they’re not much different from the grade fours and fives I taught previously. They don’t listen well. They ask procedural questions about assignments constantly. They have to be reminded to clean up. They are learning how to make friends and listen to each other. They are eager to learn. They are realizing the importance of self-regulation, and they think this year’s teacher is the best teacher in the world.
Because we live in a world that values the fastest, the smartest and the cleverest among us, I’m not going to give in to this rat race. I will not rush into and through the curriculum; I will get to know my students first. Although I keep hearing that the curriculum at this grade level is overwhelming, I refuse to let it overwhelm me and my students.
If it sounds like I’m complaining, believe me when I say, I’m not. Instead I’m affirming how much the work that teachers do is about helping kids become better versions of themselves and with each other, no matter the grade level.
And, given the state of the world lately, our work is even more critical now than ever before. That’s why I’m slowing down the pace in order to go deeper so we can move faster later…if appropriate.
I am feeling the excitement of a new year and all that we will accomplish.
Cheers!
Cross posted to The Two Writing Teachers Tuesday Slice of Life Challenge.
Elisa Waingort 
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