For real this time...

Folks, remember how I blogged 24 hours ago about how today was going to be the first day of my 7th year of teaching and all that jazz? Well......today was the first day...sort of. Tomorrow is the REAL deal, though, so I thought I'd write a quick post to commemmorate the eve. (is that how you spell it? Commemmorate...?) Today: hopped outta bed ready to go. Dryed and STRAIGHTENED my hair (first time in...awhile). Wore a red dress. Packed a Diet Coke and a snack. Drove 5 minutes. Was at school. Wa-hoo!!!!!! Oh, don't you just love freshman? They are all so petite, shy, wearing their nametags without shame. Bless their hearts. For their orientation to campus, our ASB teacher designed "The Amazing Race" for them to find clues in different locations, and sort of compete within groups. The other day, said ASB teacher asked us teachers if we would be group leaders. Being the compassionate soul that I am...I raised my hand and volunteered. My understanding of the day: get my grou pof 10-15 freshman kiddos and walk them around campus, joking, laughing, getting to know each one of them on a personal level so that they LOVE me by the time they step foot in room 35 for Spanish one tomorrow. Well, there was a bit of a miscommunication. On my part. Turns out I had volunteered to lead a group of PARENTS around campus, not doe-eyed freshman. Eek! Couldn't back out of the task...so I put on a smile and greeted my group of parents with a, "Hi, my name is Ms. Allison Kleinsasser. You can just call me Ms. K. That's what students call me, since my name is so hard to pronounce." Um...nice intro, there, Ms. K!!!! "Leading the tour" was not such a bad gig, really. We got a map that was clearly labled and numbered so we knew which room to go to and for what purpose. Then in each room stood teachers or other staff ready to talk about a specific thing on campus (example: our chapel leadership guy spoke about chapels. Nice.) In the end, I am really glad I said I'd lead a group, because I actually learned a lot about our school (for example, the fall musical this year is "Bye, Bye, Birdie." Good to know!) After the campus tour, we all sat at tables in the quad trying to avoid direct sunlight, as it was blazing today. I then made my way into one of my favorite parts of campus: the Directed Studies building, which houses three incredibly talented ladies who lead study groups for students with learning disabilities. I complained a bit about my fatigue, and oh, how was I ever going to teach all day tomorrow, and yada yada. They quickly jumped in and said, "Well, what are you eating for lunch? You need to eat protein, and fruit! None of those white starchy food, okay?" Aw...and that is why I love visiting Directed Studies. I somehow managed to plow through the afternoon and get some work done (re-vamped the "Prezi" that I will show my students tomorrow by way of introduction), and came home around 5:30. Thought to myself: I could really take a snooze right now. Or..I could hop in the pool out back!" I wish I could say I swam like those 17 year old Olympic gurus...but I will settle for endless laps of a medium-paced freestyle. This reminds me of a crucial moment of my day I have somehow forgotten to document! Before I left school for the day, I popped into my pal Kent's room. He teaches History, coaches boy's tennis, assists for the girl's volleyball team...yada yada. Anyway....I was wandering around his room, checking out his handouts for the next few days and got a little anxious - I said, "Your handouts look SO GOOD, Kent. Mine are so lame!" and then I went on about how I feel inadequate, and I am caught in the comparison trap most of the time, and never really feel quite good enough, and all that....and Kent said, "You know, that's a tool of Satan. You can't really believe that stuff." BAM! Just like that. Called me out! Comparison is the enemy. Honestly. And I do it ALL. THE. TIME. "They" have better handouts, "They" lead better mixers at youth group, "They" play guitar better, "They" have more intelligent things to say...and on it goes! Sheesh! This is my 7th year! Come on, Allison, you are a rock star, and don't you forget it! Your handouts are FUN! They are interactive! You are SO ready for this year! You got A's in your Master's classes! Get it together! (can you hear my cheering? Cause I am cheering in my head.) All that to say........Kent, if you are reading this, THANK YOU for the pep talk today. Parents - I hope my tour leading proved that the campus of WCHS is one awesome place to send your kiddo. Freshman - good luck...stop by room 35 for a jolly rancher if you are nervous. I will be a little nervous too. :)