Thoughts on my first day of school…
Dear Students, September 5th, 2006
I can’t even express in words how special today is and how happy I am that you are in my classroom. I feel like I’ve waited almost my whole life for today and throughout the summer, I’ve been moved to tears sometimes at the realization of this…because it’s so meaningful to me to be right here, right now.
Today is a dream come true. My mom once told me, “I loved you before you were even conceived.” As corny, but true as it is, I feel as though I’m coming from the same perspective in a way…because I can honestly say that you have meant more to me than any other seemingly group of strangers in the world. I know it sounds kind of freaky, but I have been thinking about you for a long time.
You are my first real students.
I feel responsible for you.
Without even knowing you, I care a lot about you.
I want you to expect a lot from me, as it is truly fair if I expect a lot from you.
I’ve even thought about writing to you before! It’s like first you started out in my mind as my first students…whatever, whoever, wherever. When I was hired here at Fruitport, you instantly were given much more of an identity. Besides the fact that everyone is crazy about your football team, I have learned that you like musicals, that choir trips are important to you, you might try to eat lunch in our choir room, you are great at fundraising, you highly value Mrs. Arkema, and loved Mrs. Newell.
And now, really starting today, you become real to me…you have smiles, frowns, good or grumpy attitudes, individual personalities, and most importantly perhaps…you showed up!
Now I don’t want to scare you anymore, but just one more thing…
I hope you can look forward to learning in this classroom.
to making friends in this classroom.
to being part of a community…a team.
to taking responsibility with me.
to singing great music.
to being yourself.
I hope you can look forward to looking forward.
Sincerely,
Ms. Bowman
I can’t even express in words how special today is and how happy I am that you are in my classroom. I feel like I’ve waited almost my whole life for today and throughout the summer, I’ve been moved to tears sometimes at the realization of this…because it’s so meaningful to me to be right here, right now.
Today is a dream come true. My mom once told me, “I loved you before you were even conceived.” As corny, but true as it is, I feel as though I’m coming from the same perspective in a way…because I can honestly say that you have meant more to me than any other seemingly group of strangers in the world. I know it sounds kind of freaky, but I have been thinking about you for a long time.
You are my first real students.
I feel responsible for you.
Without even knowing you, I care a lot about you.
I want you to expect a lot from me, as it is truly fair if I expect a lot from you.
I’ve even thought about writing to you before! It’s like first you started out in my mind as my first students…whatever, whoever, wherever. When I was hired here at Fruitport, you instantly were given much more of an identity. Besides the fact that everyone is crazy about your football team, I have learned that you like musicals, that choir trips are important to you, you might try to eat lunch in our choir room, you are great at fundraising, you highly value Mrs. Arkema, and loved Mrs. Newell.
And now, really starting today, you become real to me…you have smiles, frowns, good or grumpy attitudes, individual personalities, and most importantly perhaps…you showed up!
Now I don’t want to scare you anymore, but just one more thing…
I hope you can look forward to learning in this classroom.
to making friends in this classroom.
to being part of a community…a team.
to taking responsibility with me.
to singing great music.
to being yourself.
I hope you can look forward to looking forward.
Sincerely,
Ms. Bowman