Back to School Night 2020

Despite the fact that I was home, I was still nervous for last night’s BTSN. It was going to be a weird one.

Two weeks ago, we had to make a video to send to our Admins – a virtual version of our in-class presentation. This was the week that Lucy was failing and then passed and I was in no frame of mind to make a video. I put it off til the last minute and did a couple of run throughs before changing my shirt and recording the final cut. I sent it in without previewing it. The kids get me unedited, the parents should see the real me, I thought.

We were scheduled to meet with parents last night, from 7:25-7:55. We’d set up the Zoom meeting, but my teammates and I, worried we’d be inundated with questions from the parents of the gifted students we teach, sent out a question form last week along with links to our videos and the Zoom link. We figured we could sort through the questions and address the top ones first. By 7 p.m. we had only one question. It presaged the evening.

Like students in a Zoom meeting, the 60+ parents were remarkably quiet. The flood of questions never arrived. It was, in fact, more like a trickle. And there were more than a few awkward silences. We let some stretch. We filled a few.

As we ended the meeting, we reminded parents that, if they had any other questions, to send us an email. So far, I don’t have any. I wonder if the Math teacher can say the same.

Back To School Night 2017

Early Morning – Home                                                                                                                  Choosing two outfits                                                                                                                             Wearing the one I’ll teach in                                                                                                             Carrying the second

Before Students – School                                                                                                      Stapling up the photos                                                                                                                        I took of the students last week                                                                                                        Gussy up the classroom

Daytime – School                                                                                                                                Writer’s workshop begins                                                                                                                   Students engaged, thinking, writing                                                                                                  I worry about the night

After School – Near School                                                                                                        Dinner with the team                                                                                                                         At our favorite restaurant                                                                                                            Only water, please.

Before BTSN – School                                                                                                                            Classroom lights are off                                                                                                                       I sit quietly at my desk                                                                                                                         Awaiting the onslaught

During BTSN – School                                                                                                                        Wearing the second outfit                                                                                                                   Pacing and talking too fast.                                                                                                                   Can they see me sweat?

Mid BTSN Interruption _ School                                                                                                The Sheriff is here                                                                                                                                If you parked in the fire lane                                                                                                     Please move your car now.

After BTSN  – In the car                                                                                                          Driving home, there’s rain                                                                                                              Washing away the long day                                                                                                         Peace in my heart.

 

I survived BTSN

Back to school night is over! It was a full house and reactions were positive, even though I’m sure I looked a fool talking super fast and sweating like a roasting pig. Parents were nodding while I was talking and laughing at the appropriate place.  Many came up to me afterwards to tell me how much their child loved me already.

I don’t say that to toot my own horn. I have been teaching my heart out these last few weeks and then I send them of to another class. It is tougher to build rapport with students in middle school because we see them for such a short time. I guess that is one of many wonderful perks of being the writing teacher: I can get to know my kids through their writing even if we don’t get to spend a lot of time together.

I had a moment yesterday during class that almost brought me to tears. I shared this with some parents who  lingered after my presentation to talk. I told them that their son almost made me cry yesterday. They looked shocked and I chuckled. I told them that the kids were working hard, trying to write 4 different leads to the “seed idea” they’d chosen to take to publication. I looked up for a moment and saw their son, standing at the poster we’d made during our mini-lesson, really analyzing what it said. Then he turned, went back to his seat, and continued writing. I almost wept. It was a small moment, but it let me know that the kids were hearing what I was saying and our posters weren’t just decorative.

It was a good way to end a long night.