MY STUDENTS!!!

After weeks of non-stop preparation, the day has finally come.

Today was my first day of classes... possibly the most exhausting, exhilarating, inspirational experiences of my life. I have 123 students to teach, made up of Freshman, Juniors, and Seniors.

My first class was English III... for juniors.  (2 classes, 100 min)

I heard that the Juniors were a challenge, but nothing could have prepared me for their intensity. On top of this, they were the first class I have ever taught in the history of my existence, and my nerves were high. None the less, I stumbled through class, trying to keep my head above water. I feel like i let them down a little bit. How to describe them? The majority of the classes favourite color is Black. I'm gonna need to get creative. I just wanna give them what they want, and inspire them! I know they are passionate, they just need a spark.

Photojournalism with Seniors was next. 2 classes, (100 min)

The Seniors in 1 of my 2 photo j. classes

THEY. ARE. AMAZING. I want to adopt all of them. They all are so passionate about learning, and even though a few students admitted that they took the elective class because the other two classes were "worse choices" for them, by the end of the class, they were talking to each other about how jealous their friends in the other elective classes  were going to be, because this class was "The best." Talk about feeling on cloud nine. They are already talking to each other about projects that effect them, like writing projects on how the marshall islands are going to disappear because of global warming (these islands are their home) and about how Chuuk wants to sussed from the union. MAGNIFICENT. These kids are going somewhere.

Bahaha! I love this.

Computer Skills with Freshman. 2 classes (100 min)

1 of the 2 very large Freshman classes

Loud. Just... so ... loud. It was the end of the day for both of us, and nobody wanted to sit through another review of the syllabi. And yet, we did. Kimo was in my class though, and it was nice to see a familiar face. They are so small and full of energy! I wish I could see them grow through all 4 years. How amazing it would be!

All in all, I loved today. I can't wait of more challenge, more passion, and more Xavier! On to the next lesson plan...

Too cool. (The students in my other Photo J. Senior class)