First Day Jitters

It's a Monday morning.  Each new Monday is a new adventure, but this on is special for several different reasons...

As I sit here, drinking my coffee, enjoying some quiet time before the day starts... I am thinking about so many of my sweet teacher friends and my school that has been my home for the past six years.  Today is their first day back to work for the school year... a big grand adventure... especially for my second grade team!  Word on the street was that a challenging bunch was coming our way, nothing though that they can't handle!

I also sit here though with many different emotions running through me at this moment, two of the biggest being:

Sadness.  While I am off on my own new adventure, I miss them.  I miss the hallway conversations.  I miss my classroom.  I miss some of my best friends.  Today they kick off a new school year and I am not there to join in on the excitement with them.

Excitement.  I know it's going to be another great year, full of many challenges and lots of learning ahead of them.  They are going to rock this year and change the lives of so many sweet kiddos!  I too, have quite a bit of personal excitement for the big day ahead of me today though...

Today marks week 4 of training for me.  Rather than being in the classroom full time, I have embarked on a new adventure.  An adventure still focused around children and learning, but so very different than being a full time teacher.  I am now the center director of a school.  A school that some would consider to be a "daycare," but a school that is so much more than just that.  Three weeks in and I am floored by the value and importance that KinderCare takes when it comes to fully educating young children.  I tell you, it makes my teacher heart pitter-patter.

So, today as all my teacher friends go back to work and start an exciting new year, I get to meet many of the new families and kiddos that will be entrusted in the care of my center!  I can't wait to get to know these kids and their families! 

I also can't wait though to be the leader of a new team.  I can't wait to share the love and appreciation that my former leader, Carrie, showed us as her teachers.  She taught me what it looks like to be a true LEADER, not a boss.   She led us without "bossing" us around, she made our opinions and thoughts important.  While there were times when difficult conversations had to be had... personally, I never felt like there was a lack of appreciation!   While we are across the country now though, I appreciate her more than she will ever know, she taught me so much and I am so excited that I now get the opportunity to spread her spirit though leading my own team!

To all the teachers out there starting a new school year... I will leave you with this...