It started 2 weeks ago with Chilton's Back to School Night. I always love Back to School Night as a teacher... when it's over. There is little that compares to the feeling of relief when the night is done and everyone's gone. I can speak in front of kids all day and never break a sweat, but when the parents are here, I sweat like I'm being interrogated at Guantanamo Bay. That 7:30 "it's all over, now I need a shower" feeling is amazing. This may be part of the reason I enjoy going to my kids' Back to School Nights. There, I can sit calmly, in perfect dryness, and watch as other teachers live out the sweaty anxiety I know so well. I can spot the newer teachers who are just trying to repeat things they've heard other teachers say and the teachers who have been at it long enough to come up with something original. I can watch as some teachers tell me exactly who they are by talking only about themselves... Not that I get much from the 10 minutes about where they've traveled to and what their hobbies are (I don't honestly care if you like walks on the beach and curling up in front of a fire on a cold night with your 37 cats and a good book). What they are really telling me is "I became a teacher because children will let me talk about myself and I plan on doing just that and boring your children for the next 9 months." Don't get me wrong, I don't go just to pass judgment on my kids' new teachers. I like seeing my kids' classrooms and hearing what books they'll be reading. The fun starts to reach its pinnacle about midway through night 2, though, and night 3 starts to feel like I'm actually enrolled in classes at their school. With many kids, I have to attend not only my own BTSN, but a high school night, a middle school night, and 2 elementary nights (one for K-3 and another for 4-6). Seriously, I am all BTSN'd out... Until next year when I do it all over again.
