Tomorrow is the first day of September. I’m still waiting for the email confirming that my substitute teaching paperwork has been processed, but I am already in “school year mode.” Yep, you guessed it: I’ve been hoarding loose-leaf and scouting new pens, and looking up principals’ names, and trying to find my “good shoes.”
I spent much of today setting up a new notebook, to use for the coming year. I counted pages, and put in monthly tabs, and tested my pens on a back page to see what — if anything — bled through.
Am I excited to go back to school? Yes. I haven’t been in a classroom since the 2018-2019 school year. (Thanks, COVID.) Am I afraid to go back to school? Also yes.
Although I’m fully-Pfizered, my autoimmune disease means we have no idea just how much of an effect the vaccine has had, and being a substitute teacher means I travel from school to school where other substitute teachers are also travelling from school to school. The teachers went back today; the students start next week.
I’m very, very nervous.
But maybe by the time the paperwork is ready, I will be ready too.
This post was created as part of Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life Challenge.
You can view other writers’ contributions via the comments here.
I’m so glad you are excited. I pray you will be and remain safe. May the protection of God follow you and be with you and protect you. Have THE MOST AMAZING YEAR!!!
Substitute teaching has its own set of challenges, and adding a pandemic to the mix only makes it harder. You didn’t say if you found them, but I hope your good shoes help. May your year be good, may your health be optimal, and may your pens never bleed!
I LOVED the year I subbed- being experienced means you bring so much to the classroom! Lucky kids! I get your concern- even teaching behind a computer screen (all staff at school, all kids online so far is scary!). Hoping it all goes well! I love your getting ready routines.
Best of luck this year with your substitute teaching, Karen. I hope it goes well and you stay healthy. Subbing always made me nervous – even in non-COVID times. I am sure you’ll be ready and do well! You sound a lot like I was with your prep routines! The pre-organization is so important! Sounds like you have that down!
Oh, SCHOOL YEAR MODE. I feel you on this. And substitute teaching teaching is its own ball of wax, isn’t it? As for the returning, even in a non-COVID year I’m not sure we’re ever fully “ready” but somehow, some way, there we are. I have perfect faith in you. <3
Karen, I hope all is going well thus far on the school re-entry. I have been glad to feel a semblance of normalcy here, despite mandated masks and creative seating :O. Your phrase “fully-Pfizered” had me chuckling but not knowing effects and having to face the possibility of contact while having an autoimmune disease is no laughing matter, indeed. This much I know, though: Some older friends in my area got COVID and managed well; they’d all been vaccinated. Some younger ones got it and were extremely sick, with multiple ER visits. They weren’t vaccinated. Thankfully everyone is recovered now. I admire your courage, in both the vaccination and in returning to school. I have no doubt that you’ll inspire many students!