> As those of you who don't know me have probably guessed, my profession is teaching.
>
> Aside from Howard, I don't think there are any other current or retired teachers who post here. Therefore, you're a perfect demographic for a question I've long wondered about.
>
> Every year, as August comes to a close, and the impending school year draws nearer, I feel a combination of panic and excitement. Panic, often, because it seems I haven't completed near the stuff I wanted to over the summer. Summer is the time most teachers I know work on curriculum, update certifications, and read all the books they meant to about current educational theory. (I like to squeeze in camping with my family and a theatre trip, too). I'd be lying, though, if I wasn't excited about going back. I love my job, and have a wonderful staff with whom I am privileged to work. I don't see any of these people over the summer, so September is like a lovely reunion every year. There's also the mandatory trip for school supplies. Sometimes I think my love of stationery stores is a large part of the reason I became a teacher! ;-)
>
> I've spent every single August of my life since starting school this way. When I graduated from university, I was lucky enough to find a job right away, so I've never had a "year off." Even when I had my children, I always worked in Adult Education at night.
>
> So, my question, is (students, you may not be able to answer this neutrally), is how do you feel about the end of summer? Are the bittersweet emotions I feel as the seasons change shared by everyone, or are they a product of my profession? My husband says he feels the same way as I do, but has little choice, living with a teacher and two students. I'd love to know how others feel.
>
> te "bought WAY too many Post-It's already" ach

I actually have mixed feelings. I'm excited about going back because I've always loved to learn. It's the start of my junior year in high school which means tons of more tests, but a different selection of classes. I took all my classes that my school said I had to take so this year is classes that I want to take. I do have more regents (manditory state tests in New York) then I have had before. I practically have the exact same schedule as my best friend. I get to see my friends that I haven't talked to in a while.

It allows me to do something. I couldn't get a job because I had Driver's Ed, night color guard practices in early August, and other hobbies that only can occur in good weather (I love to ride dirtbikes!! And yes, that's how I got my nickname, Band-Aids). Ever since Driver's Ed ended, I've been so bored to death that I've started writing a story that will end up being over 20 typed pages.

But there is also that other side of me that doesn't want to go back. There are always students that I can't stand to be around that I have to deal with. Always hearing the constant support of the football team, basketball team, and baseball team even though they can't even bring home any kind of trophy. Our cross country team has always been a contender at states and practically no one knows about it. I will have winter guard to do along with student council and possibly spring track. The fact that it's my junior year means that in one year I will be applying to colleges and in 2 years, I will be on my own.

Besides school, when I think of summer almost over, it hits me that I'm going to be getting my driver's license in a matter of a few weeks. That means I won't have to relie on my mom do drive me anywhere, but I will need her car since insurance is outrageous for people in their late teens. There are some animals that I love that will be put down or die in a matter of months or maybe a year at the most (my horse and my cat). Hopefully snow will be coming. That means that I can actually go snowmobile riding this year since we didn't get practically anything last year. But that means that the cold is coming along with more animal resposibilites (since I live on a cattle farm). Every day seems like a big huge reality check.

Now that I think about it, I'm just glad that I know what I want to be doing 15 years down the road. I guess that I'm more excited to go back to school than anything else. It just makes me realize how easy 5 year olds have compared to 16 year olds.

~x~Band-"I love school...but miss what I do outside of it."Aids~x~