The One Where You Threw Up

Today I spent four glorious hours in my classroom (not this one).  I hadn't seen this room since my first time at the school in June, and I was anxious to get to it and make it mine.  After I picked up my key (!!!) the first hour was spent trying to get my car as close to the nearest exit as possible so I could unload the boxes of "Teachy Stuff" I have been hoarding for the last two years.  In the end I think I made thirteen trips, but it's all in there, so let's not dwell on that.

The second hour was spent sitting in different locations and staring.  Staring at my desk, staring at their desks, staring at the chalkboards that line the room.  Do I want the students to face this way or that way?  How do I want the seats organized?  Where do I want that poster?  This one?  Where is my teacher's chair?

I spent the third hour asking a myriad of questions to an innocent and curious teacher who wandered in to meet me (sucka!): Is there a two-way intercom since there is no phone?  Can I expect a teacher computer?  Do they have LCD projectors in this place?  Can I have some erasers for my chalkboards?

(The answer to all of the above is a big, fat NO, by the way.  Welcome to unequal distribution of funds, which has been ruled unconstitutional.)

Anyway, the fourth hour I swung into action.  I started drawing diagrams of different seating arrangements, trying to make the most of the space in my room while creating a warm environment.  I moved all the desks in different clusters, facing different directions, and the same for my desk and the bookcases.  Then I started working on bulletin boards so I could ignore that task for awhile, because it is pretty daunting.  But then I got back to it, and finally- an idea.

So, the toughest part- how to orient the room- is finished.  I stared for another long while.  I walked around, pretending there were students in the room who needed my help, trying to see if I could get to them quickly without having to move any furniture.  I imagined their little bodies occupying the empty spaces and the Spanish names they would choose.  I got excited to meet them.

In that moment it seemed I had been waiting all summer to meet these kids- my kids- and I couldn't wait to see their faces and experience their personalities.  I had prepared their space and thought a lot about their arrival.  I was ready (I'm not, though).  I wanted them to hurry (I don't, though).  I felt maternal (I'm not, though).

Then I yakked from all the cheese.

Six more days.  Pictures to come.