Back to School!

How could I not talk about school? I officially began my 19th year of teaching. Wow!!! Has it really been that long? My life has truly been enriched with all the young lives that have sat in my classroom listening to me ramble about who knows what. I have always hoped that in some small way I have had the same impact on them that they have had on me. Yes, the youth of the world are tremendous! My FAMILY has been so patient, kind and generous through the years because they know that when school starts, I am a mother to hundreds. One of the greatest gifts we can give to our children is patience, love, and understanding. Fortunately for me, I was the receiver of these gifts from my own wonderful parents, and so I wish that everyone could feel that peace and security. I must also recognize my colleagues who know too well the joys, heartaches, and frustrations of trying to inspire kids to be excited about learning. I have also been blessed with the friendhip and support of these colleagues. Well, enough philosophy!! FYI - I spent 11 years teaching at T.H.Bell Junior High School. I moved to Roy High School and spent five years there. With a heavy heart and tremendous sadness I left Roy for a new adventure. I am know beginning my third year at Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Maine. Are kids different on the otherside of the United States? All I have to say is Kids are kids!!! I have had the distinct pleasure of being in the same school as my three older boys, and hopefully the last two as well. While this for the most part has been a positive thing, sometimes it was a little challenging, not only for the kids, but for me as well. However, I wouldn't change a thing. Not many mothers get the opportunity to know their children's friends as well as I have. I am so proud of Dylan, Jamie and Kaleb. Moving to a new state was not an easy thing to do, but they have done marvelously well, and they try to set examples for those around them. Brunswick is a school of about 1,200 students. The teaching style was significantly different here. Talk about a culture shock, but I think I have adjusted. The school was built about 10 years ago, and is a very nice facility. Durham Elementary School is a small rural school of about 300 hundred kids in grades K-8. The school is a little old, but they are in the process of building a new one. Yes, Jamie has hated the thought of being at an elementary, but technically she is in middle school until she joins me at the high school next year. Sorry if I have gotten a little long-winded, but teaching is such a joy for me.