The Second Semester...A Look Back And A Look Ahead

The second semester begins tomorrow.  I'm not too thrilled.  I've really come to enjoy the students that I had in the first semester and I'm not stoked for the change-up.  These students could be miscreants or jerks or clowns or criminals or a host of other things.  On the outside at least.  On the inside they could be hurting.  I need patience this semester.

20 weeks ago I began my teaching journey.  I've made some incredible friends on the staff.  I've learned a lot about teaching and lesson planning and discipline and consistency and a whole slew of other things.  I've developed a routine, something that makes me feel super old.  But lately one thought keeps coming back to me: What if I had taken that job in Kansas?  Why didn't I?  Would I be happier?

It's been 20 weeks, and I've finally come to realize that things are not going to be how I expected them to be.  I've gone through ups and downs and ins and outs to figure this out, but I got there.  And I'm starting to think about the what ifs.  Is this good?  

I'm committed to Madison.  This much is for sure.  But I can't help but wonder...

I think about the future.  Was it a mistake for me to be here in Michigan?  If I let it manifest itself that way I suppose.  So that's the future bit.  I can't let it become a mistake again.  I need to think ahead, analyze everything.  The future is a constant opportunity to fix the past...