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The Middle of the Road Perspective from a middle-aged, middle-income, middle-school teacher Happy New Year! Reflections on a new school year By Randy Peters Most people celebrate the New Year on January 1. It's the time for new starts, reflections on past decisions, and resolutions to make the New Year better. It's a time to stroll with loved ones among the bright, flashy, and sometimes tacky decorations in department stores. New Year's is a time to graciously wear the new clothes relatives "thoughtfully" purchased to show their love. Let's face it; we all walk a little taller and a little prouder when we are wearing brand new, freshly unwrapped socks and underwear. But I'm a teacher. I've been one for 31 years now. That means I've been in a classroom since kindergarten. Between elementary, high school, and college, I've been in classrooms for 48 years. Through that experience, I've started to celebrate the New Year in the fall instead of January 1. Celebrating in the fall is very similar to what you normal people do in winter. In fact, preparing for the new school year hasn't changed much since kindergarten. I didn't know if my stomach hurt because I was nervous or excited as my brother and I walked to Circle View Elementary School in Huntington Beach in the fall of 1964. My brother is a year older and assured me that kindergarten would be fun. After all, I had the same teacher he had. However, she got married and changed her name that summer. I wondered if that would somehow change her as well. When we entered the playground, he took me to Mrs. Hegg (formerly Miss Jump) and left. There she was with her red hair piled high and wide on top of her head, her red lipstick, and short skirt. Maybe this would be all right after all. Every fall, it's been the same thing. Who would be in my class this year? Would the students like me? Would the work be too hard? What if I make a mistake? What's going to happen this year? Will it be very different from last year? But I always entered the year with a sense of confidence. After all, I was walking tall and proud knowing that I was wearing new socks and underwear! Every school new year, it was the same set of questions. Public school, Catholic school (two years, but that's another story), high school, college – always the same worries. But eventually, with confidence that comes from wearing new socks and underwear, I got through it. 10 OUR YUCAIPA | SEPTEMBER 2013 I got my first teaching job at Calimesa Elementary School in 1983. It was an exciting time and I set goals and expectations for who I was going to be as a teacher. But I also asked myself several questions: Who would be in my class this year? Would the students like me? Would the work be too hard? What if I make a mistake? What's going to happen this year? Will it be very different from last year? Before my students came in the first day, a father of one of my third grade students knocked on the door. I took a breath and walked with confidence to the door. (I did, after all, go to JC Penney and stock up on new socks and underwear.) We talked for a few minutes and he walked out and looked directly to a group of moms hovering nearby and gave them a thumbs up as I walked to the office. The moms smiled and walked out to the parking lot. Maybe this will work out. So now I start my 31st year of teaching. It's not third grade anymore. It's still Calimesa but now I'm teaching eighth grade United States history at Mesa View Middle School. As I sit behind my desk before my first period walks in, I look around the room. I know my curriculum, the new posters are up, the technology is up and running, the room smells clean, and the floors are freshly waxed. But I ask myself: Who would be in my class this year? Would the students like me? Would the work be too hard? What if I make a mistake? What's going to happen this year? Will it be very different from last year? The bell rings. I walk to the door with confidence. After all, I've been to JC Penney. Keep your eyes on the road!