first day.

room 3 was filled with hopeful nervous third graders on wednesday. brand new binders, newly sharped pencils, untouched erasers sat anxiously on top of sterilized desks. everyone felt sadness for the end of summer and excitement for the beginning of a new school year.

everyone that is except for me. i wasn't there. for six years i have started the school year as the teacher, but this year i will be starting as a student. i miss the few days, hours, minutes before school begins for the year. all the colors of construction paper are in order and accounted for and every marker is capped. nervous excitement brims from within me. as the students walk through the door i know i am where i belong.

but this year i am a stranger to what lies ahead. i will be a master's student at an ivy league school. i am the one who is hopeful and nervous. i have my binder (labeled), pencils sharpened (and pens), and a stack of loose leaf paper. i am physically ready for the first day of school on thursday. as i walk though the hallowed halls on thursday and enter my first classroom, i hope i feel like i belong.