'Twas the night before . . . .

July 24, 2019

‘Twas the night before . . . school? Surely not!

Yes, tomorrow the teachers report back for service at ELCA. I used to think that July was so hot that the only reasonable activity was a return to school, but the last couple of cooler days have seduced me into thinking I would like to wait another week.

The first day of preplanning always finds me in a mild state of denial. Although I do not really mind a return to the academic schedule, I always wonder if my metaphoric teacher shelves have gotten restocked adequately over the summer.

I believe they have! We had a simple summer with a couple of day trips, a single-day family outing in the North GA mountains, and a two-day anniversary jaunt to our favorite mountain destinations in state. We even caught a couple of Braves games and ate barbecue nachos. We spend many hours talking, reading, and playing games on the shaded back deck.

A former teacher, Parker Maxey, used to tell us that one must preach from his “overflow.” That is, he has to be full himself before he can deliver adequately a sermon to others. By extension, I think teachers do the same. I have tried to teach with an empty tank before and know the difference. Empty tanks ring hollow.

So my hope, as always in late July, is that I have replenished and restored – that I am full again.

Tomorrow begins year number forty-five in school, twenty-four of those as a teacher (Wow – shocking!)  I look forward to seeing my colleagues again, and I look forward to revisiting great books. Hamlet and Jane Eyre have become old friends.

Bittersweetly, I realize that this will be my first year in a long time to not have any of my boys in the building with me. The irony of parenting (much like teaching) is that we teach the young to be independent, then feel badly when they need us no longer. But in my nostalgia I am proud, not sad.

Teacher trek day 1.