Similarities and Differences

First Day Of School

Wednesday, August 23

I survived my first day of school. I learned something today. These kids here are absolutely no different than the kids in Alabama. Yes, they are more white here. Yes, they have more money here. But no, they aren't anymore stuck up here.

I do think people are genuine here. It's s different dynamic here though. I mean, teachers really do care about students here. That's pretty evident. Unless it's all talk.

I had reason to worry about this day though. I mean, coming into a new building is never easy. Coming into a new place is never easy. I honestly didn't know what to expect.

This morning started out with a very short advisory time just to check kids in for an assembly. Everyone was pretty well behaved for the assembly. We were supposed to sit with our students, but I didn't know who was in my class and who wasn't, so... We'll just say they all sat with me.

First hour started off pretty well. I mean, in the past, I would start off my classes as a very strict teacher, and I would start off by greeting each student, telling them to go in, look at the seating chart, and sit down without talking. If anyone talked I would look at them, and tell them if they talked out of turn again this period, I would give them a detention. I was serious, too, and the kids knew it.

I have been going back and forth all summer about whether to treat the kids here any differently than the kids in Alabama. This morning, I still didn't know exactly what I wanted to do.

Like, here's the tough part about being a teacher: I want to be gracious, but I don't want to tolerate crap. I want them to know that I won't accept nonsense because, in all honesty, most teachers are too graceful. I want to give these kids a taste of real life, too.

Part of me hates this method because some kids just can't keep their mouths shut, even if they're good kids. The goal isn't to ruin anyone's first day of school.

I have 164 students, and no one all day got a detention. I was so happy.

I started off each class with something like this: "Well, thank y'all for showing up today. Honestly, you didn't have to, but I'm glad you did because that's going to be good for you in the long run. I promise. I'm Mr. Easton, and this will be my sixth year teaching, but my first year here. I'm from Alabama, hence my southern drawl. I'm sorry, but you're just gonna have to deal with it because I've tried to get rid of it, and I cannot do it for the life of me, even though I'm an English teacher.

"So, first things first, I want each and everyone of you to know that I am not a teacher who was forced into this job. I want to help y'all succeed because I know every single one of you can. Yes, I will be strict, but just know it's not because I don't like you, but it's because you need to learn. I will challenge you. Some days you will not like me, and that's okay. Some days I may not like you. I'm kidding. I will help you succeed, but you have to show me that you care. I can tell who really cares and who doesn't care.

"Honestly, I'm not here to teach you about English. I'm here to teach you how to live. School is about problem solving. I mean, English is really important because without language, we wouldn't be able to communicate very well, but that talk is for a different day. If you think school is a just a prison camp, I'm sorry. The reason why you have to go to school is because if you don't, how are you going to learn how to problem solve in real life? You're not gonna remember 97 percent of the things I'm going to teach you about English in ten years. I'll be flat out honest about that, but my mission here is to teach you how to live your life and overcome your obstacles. School is hard. School is to prepare you for the real world. There may be drama in your social life here at school, too, and I'm sorry to tell you that it's not gonna go away when you get older. You will learn how to deal with difficult people though as time goes on.

"I love each and everyone of you. I don't care where you come from. I don't care if you suck at school. I don't even care if you hate school. I still love all of you, and even if you're the worst student, I want the best for you. I will help you if you ask for it. If you're struggling with anything, my door is always open. I'm here to support you. I do mean that. I know sometimes it seems like teachers don't care about you, and to be honest, some teachers don't care. I do."

I hope they know how genuine that was.