I was nervous. Nervous to meet my Cooperating Teacher (CT), nervous to meet the sub who would be standing in for her on her maternity leave, nervous to meet my 6th and 7th graders, and especially nervous to meet their parents. Now, this wasn't the knees knocking, teeth clattering kind of nervous. Just the butterflies in the stomach, racing heart, smile big so they don't see your lips tremble kind of nervous. A nervous excitement would describe it better. And don't get me wrong, I was excited. I decided 5 years ago that I wanted to teach, and this was my big break. This was the first impression I could not afford to butcher. This was my chance to to teach and I wanted, no needed, the teacher, the sub, the students, and their parents to all be on my side.
Prior to the open house, my CT and I communicated via email and found out that we were both the same double major: English and Social Studies and that we have similar teaching styles and strategies and similar passions for education. In a few words, when we met, we clicked. I easily checked 'nervous to meet CT' off my list. I had a similar situation with the substitute who shares my passion for teaching, and I checked her, too, off my list. Now, I just had to meet the kids. And then the real test, the parents.
The families that came to the open house were as diverse as the student body. We had families with just a mother, just a father, just a grandparent, or a combination of all three. We had step-siblings, half siblings, adult siblings and kid siblings all in attendance. We had students wandering around on their own having walked to the open house from home. Seeing the students and their various guardians reminded me that diversity describes something beyond an individual's culture. Diversity is what makes me different from you and family structure is but one of a vast number of variants.
Of the forty families I met during open house, there was not a one I did not like. I love families that share my dedication to education and realize the importance of their son or daughters learning, even in these early years of their secondary education. One mother came up to my CT and I and flat out said that she supports teachers and schools and wants to play an active part in her daughter's education. That warms my heart to hear. I wish I could instill that excitement in all parents. Of the parents that came, most shared this commitment to their child's education, which made my night. Seeing that really shows a community's appreciation for education and makes me feel valued as an educator.
At the end of the day, my first open house went smoothly. My smile got bigger as the night went on, not to cover my nerves, but to express my sheer joy at being involved in this school. It is moments like this when you know you've made the right career choice.
Highlight of the Night
A mother of a 6th grader approached my CT and me and asked, "So, which of you's the teacher?" Without a pause, my CT responded, "We both are."
*** I will try and include a short story like this with most of my posts, for those looking for a highlights reel version of my experiences.
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