English Mornings

 I walk past the rose bushes, with my feet walking on the damp grass from the morning dew. I walk towards the door of my classroom and enter my key into the slot. K110 is the room number and once the door opens, it's all dark and the room has a distinct smell. The motion makes the light turn on and its nice it's all quiet before the workday begins, as I'm the first one in. I would put my stuff down in my usual cubby right near my desk. The whiteboard I would write on right behind my desk had all different kinds of reminders and I enjoyed updating things. I would change the date each day and also The Russian Word of the Day just for my own inspiration and mental challenge. 

I always looked forward to the first class I went to which was English. The teacher was engaging, lighthearted and fun. She always has a positive attitude, and her energy was inviting. I liked the content and that it was for older students- Juniors. I left her classroom feeling inspired, engaged and had some new ideas and wanted to continue reading in my spare time. That's a sign of a good teacher!

I knew this class that helped me pull through the school year. It was a nice way to start Mondays and the other days for block schedule. I felt like I was learning too and also felt free. In my position as an IA, I easily feel misunderstood. Even encountering some teachers who aren't very friendly or welcoming towards you or have a certain 'teacher vibe' that is possessive. 

But in this English class, I could just be in my own thoughts, and feel comfortable. Also, when there wasn't much for me to do or be engaged with, I looked up the helpful and inspiring websites on my Chromebook- Opus Dei website, Blessed is She, Library web page, blogs, and even play some word games like wordle and worldle. 

Often times while in this classroom, I would look out. The chair I was sitting in was in the back and right near the door which looked out to the street. I could also see the hills and some trees. Just a close distance away was the church where I would make a visit after work. Some days it was gloomy, cloudy and overcast, others were sunny, or breezy. 

In the Fall, with the trees nearby to look out to, they were becoming crisp, golden, and orange and fall on the grass below. We were also reading interesting stories such as writings from the Puritans, Poetry, Transcendentalist authors and Romantic authors as well as Rationalists, and The Great Gatsby. I was enjoying it all!

I am grateful for these memories that helped me stay inspired, encouraged and uplifted, especially on the hard days, chaotic days and overall, a long, and at times what felt like extended school year. I knew I grew a lot, learned a lot and was challenged in a different way. 

This season now looks and feels different. The door is shut behind me and I'm entering into a new space, new experiences, revelations. It's interesting, unknown, exciting yet also hard and surreal in its own unique way. I know I will continue forward with these memories and experiences that have shaped me to invite new life experiences that life has been preparing me for.