Letter To Myself

So, I was watching a bunch of sappy, feel good videos about teachers and education, and I came across one that really stuck out to me. It was a video of teachers writing to themselves before they started their very first day ever! It was really interesting to see what they would say, and I thought it would be a cool thing for me to do. I’m only a year and half removed from my first day ever, but there’s a whole lot that I wish I could tell myself back then. Here goes nothing…

Dear 1st year Mr. Mouton, Mr. Moomaw, Mr. MooMoo, Mr. Crouton, Mouton, Mr. Crazy Socks, Mr. Minion (you have many names)

This is your future self. You are about to embark on the most exciting chapter of your life. You may think you know what lies ahead of you, but I’m happy to say you don’t. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. I’m proud to say that it’s going to be better than you could have ever imagined. You’re going to spend countless hours up at that school on Sunday. Your team is incredible, and the relationships that develop with them are priceless. You’re going to wear a Minion pajama suit and skirt. You’re going to buy this thing called a POP that’s going to lead to slight obsession. You’re going to experience some of the best times of your life, but you’re also going to experience one of the worst. It’s all apart of this crazy thing you do everyday with your life. It’s called being a teacher, and you’re going to love it. Now, let me just give you some advice.

First off, you can’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re a first year teacher, the only math teacher in 4th grade, and you’re starting out from scratch with nothing. The three ladies you work with are incredible, and they are all smarter than you. It is better to just admit it now. They are three of the best teachers, and they will give you so much advice throughout your first year. So, don’t be stubborn and get off your high horse. There is no shame in asking for help. That was one thing we struggle with this year. We can let our ego get in the way, and this only causes more stress for us. No one is perfect, and we all need help from time to time. You’re just fortunate to have some of the best team members around. So, use them! :)

Secondly, you’re first year is going to a roller coaster of success and failures. Just like with most things, you’re going to have your ups and downs. All of the notes and lessons you make at the beginning of the year… Yeah, it’s all garbage. Don’t worry though, you’ll redo them all next year. Let me just save you a headache now. You need to use PowerPoint to make your stuff. Miss A will tell you to use PowerPoint, but you’re so stubborn you’ll use Word. Don’t do that. Word is so much harder to use. When it comes to long division, you need to have patience. The first two days of it the kiddos are going to look at you like you’re speaking Chinese. Then through a miracle, you’ll change how you’re teaching it and they’ll all become masters at it. Like seriously, long division ends up being one of the best skills we learn this year. They’re like little Jedi division masters afterwards, so be patient. Now fractions, I’m sorry to say, we’ll just be a struggle the whole time. We’re going to have to revamp it in your second year. The important thing, though, is to not let the struggles keep you down. You’re going to do some amazing things this year, and some things that are going to bomb. All that matters is how you handle the things that tank. You can either let them keep you down, or you can assess the situation and come back to work the next day prepared to be better. It’s all about your attitude. Like seriously, you will do some amazing things. For example: fantasy football, math olympics, geometry town, long division (crazy I know), the menu project, trashketball, and many other things. So, you need to keep the mindset that you’re going to give it everything you got everyday!

But teaching isn’t all about the content. It’s so much more than that. The most important thing to us (you) is the kids. You’re going to have an incredible group of kiddos, and that first group of homeroom kids will steal your heart. The relationships that you make this coming year will change your life forever, and I’m so excited for you to experience it. You’ll love it and not to toot our own horn, but the kiddos will love you too. One of your favorite things to do will be to play soccer at recess. You will have a big group of kiddos out there playing with you, and some of the kiddos that play will surprise you. You’re also going to love seeing the Kindergartners. We’ll eat lunch with them, and they’ll quickly learn who you are. They’re just so dang adorable. Embrace all of it. That’s what makes this job so special, and I know that’s the reason you decided to be a teacher. Well, I’m here to tell you that you made the right choice. I know what you’re thinking… Do our old kiddos still come talk to us? You bet they do. You make a lasting impression.

I want to talk about the hardest thing you’ll face in your first year. You’re going to have a great year, and your team will nominate you for 1st year teacher of the year because they’re awesome in that way. Like seriously, they have to do so much to fill that out and get it turned it. They’re incredible for doing it, and we’ll be forever grateful. And, I gotta say you deserve to be nominated. I’m your biggest fan, so I know how hard you’re going to work and how much you will care about those kiddos. You do. You deserve it. You’re going to write the best paper you have ever written (with the help of Miss A) persuading people to make you a finalist. You’re going to think you’re a lock for a finalist, and there’s no way they can’t pick you. Then it happens. You’re going to get the email, look for your name, and see three other names as the finalists. You’re not chosen as a finalist, and it is one of the most soul crushing moments you’ll ever have. To make matters worse, you read the email standing in front of the class, and we’re not very good at hiding our emotions. Try to read it not in front of the kids. I’m not going to sugar coat it, it honestly is one of the most defeating things you’ll experience. You’re going to want it so bad, and to know they don’t pick you is hard. I know that it’s your goal to not only be a finalist, but to when 1st year TOY for the district. It’s going to feel like you failed. BUT, I’m here to tell you forget about it because it doesn’t matter. The people that you want thinking you’re a great teacher, they do. They think you deserve it, and that’s all that matters. You will make a difference, and you are an incredible teacher. Are you perfect? Absolutely not. But, teaching is what you’re meant to do, and you make a difference! You rock your first year of teaching, and you don’t need that award to validate it for you. Through the relationships you build with the kids and the experiences you have along the way, those will validate your first year as a success. I need you to remember that.

Your first year is going to be successful. I’m not saying everyday will be rainbows and butterflies because it won’t be. There will be hard days. There’s going to be days where you don’t want to go. There will be days you will think that you’re not making a difference, and no would even care if you were there. You’re wrong. That school is EXACTLY where you’re supposed to be, and you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. Impacting kids’ lives is what you’re meant to do. So when the going gets tough, suck it up because it will get better. Keep going to work everyday with the mindset that you’re going to make a difference because you are. Because, Mr. Mouton, you love the heck out of your job and those kids.

Sincerely,

Your older self.

P.S. If I had to sum up your first year and a half in two pictures, these would be it. Enjoy every moment!