I think it went well. I was officially the first experience with school for about half of my students.  Pressure much? 

On my drive home, I was thinking about how intimidating the first day of school is.  For students and teachers alike.  I feel like I have now accomplished my first- first day of school as a teacher just as my students have accomplished their first-first day of school as a student.  Day of firsts!  Were there tears? yes. Were there struggles? yes.  Were there accidents? yes.  Did we survive? FUCK YES! And we will do it again.  

I keep it positive. I always do.  It’s who I am. Ask my friends and family.  I was thinking about the power of surrounding yourself with positive people. In the hardest transition of my life, and most likely ever in my life, I need it.  My mom says we ask for the people we need in our lives, even if we don’t realize it.  Positive people gravitate together.  I can be down.  I hide it a lot.  It is easier to be bitchy or look at how hard your life seems to be.  But seriously, everyone’s life is hard.  Tell it the immigrant family who picks up there child from my class every day in a country that is telling them they don’t even want you here.  Tell it to Joe’s 17 year old student, who has to take care of her four year old daughter along with pass his math class to graduate.  Life is hard.  

Instead of bitching about it, we have to lift each other up.  I feel so blessed to have created bonds with people here in Phoenix who are going to be there to get me pumped for class and remind me why I teach.  Hell, I have always had people like that in my life. I have felt so much support and love today. From my family and friends.  I will keep you all close and remember to live in gratitude of that love and support.  

I received a gratitude journal when I graduated from college, in which to write what I am grateful for.  It is my daily reflection on the abundance that is in my life when I take the time to look.  

In this journal was the inscription “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners that make our souls blossom.”  This same inscription was the inspiration for my parent board in my classroom.  It is that sentiment that I wish for my classroom.  I want to facilitate the culture of love, compassion and gratitude for everyday we spend together. Big goal. 

I am grateful for my students. I am grateful for Emily and Kelsey.  I am grateful for my parents. I am grateful for my brother. I am grateful for my nightly pump ups with the AZ trio.  I am grateful for the massive team Sarah out there.  I am grateful for another day in the classroom. Let’s do it again!