I say first day back because after what happened on Friday, I never think any school day will ever be the same. I thought I would offer some reflections on today down below the fold. This was more for my personal therapy but if any of you take comfort in this, I am glad.
I was teaching during 9/11 and the DC sniper case. Both times were really dramatic for all around. It got even worse during the sniper case when he tried to kill a middle school student. How can anyone even think of doing something like that. Now with Newtown I almost don't know what to think anymore.
I have to admit I almost didn't want to come to work today. Would any of you blame me? While driving into work today I found myself almost in tears when my Beatles 1 CD started playing Yesterday. My wife last night wept openly as we talked about what happened. She kept worrying that it could have been my school and I was one that did not make it out. But I went in and said to myself I was going to do this for no other reason then my kids depend on me and yes I refer to them as MY KIDS. She knew and understood and in the end told me that was one of the reasons why she married me, because I am devoted to what I do.
As I got to school, you couldn't help but feel good that the parking lot was full. Its ironic how it seems day after day the staff seems to park in the same spots on the lot, so you can tell who is here and who is not. I usually park near the back because I like the walk in. Even with what was going on it still seemed like the normal walk that I have taken for the last 9 years at this school. Yet when I saw the flag you couldn't help but have a little knot in your stomach a bit.
Now in come the kids, they were the usual loud and abnoxious selves, you do appreciate that now more than ever. Not much talk about it, more talk to me about how my Giants stunk up the joint to the Falcons. In class it seemed to be the least thing from anyones mind, I was almost worried, did they know, did they even care, or maybe the parents did their part and talked with them. In the end I had 100% attendance in my classes. It was business as usual.
I know reading this may not seem like much happened but maybe that is a good thing. Maybe that it was business as usual is a powerful signal to the community. The best sign of showing that we can move on is by actually moving on. By showing up and sending them to school, the parents have shown that we believe in you and we trust you to do the right thing. Today is a great day to be a teacher.