Halloween at School

Getting back into the swing of things at work has been tough. I am having trouble remembering all of the details about school while running a classroom. Our Halloween celebration, for example, was held on Friday the 29th, which was a day off for me. I knew that I had to be there either way, but my body was protesting the whole time.

A few days before the event, I had decided to go to work with my daughter to see her work as the music teacher, and afterward we planned to go to my classroom for our Halloween parade and celebration. While we got through the day with all of its festivities, we both were exhausted by the end. Once home, we relaxed in front of the television, but I couldn't remain awake much passed 8 PM,  so I went to bed without watching the end of a funny and entertaining movie.

My daughter is a great music teacher. I met her bosses and co-workers, and everyone had nothing but praise for her and the work she does. I sat through four different music classes, instructed by her, noticing how talented she was and how much the students adored her. It was inspiring, and uncanny. I knew that the teaching gene was in her, but I had no idea how deep. She was a professional, interesting, entertaining, and educational teacher. She looked great in her, "angel of music" costume. I was proud of how much passion and joy came out as she taught.

After spending about two and a half hours at her work, observing, we came home to eat lunch and then it was on to our second classroom visit. I was starving, and felt a headache coming on, but there was no time to relax before our next adventure. We arrived at the school where I work just in time to walk in the parade. My daughter walked along with me, as well as my substitute. They both commented that it was a little like walking along with a celebrity.

Halloween is a fun time for teachers. We get to see all of our prior students dressed in costume, and say hi to them as the parade passes by. The route is lead by our principal, who was dressed this year as Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. It's a time for the students to reconnect with their former friends and teachers, and visit their siblings classrooms without getting in trouble, for parents to run their cameras until the battery runs out, and for the students to go a little crazy on a sugar high. I have a costume I've been wearing every year since I began teaching, and I wore it once again. Even though it's been seen over and over, I still get compliments on my black, flowing, witch costume. This year was no different.

The best thing about this year's celebration is that I have instructed students from every graduation year at our school up to this year's fifth grade class. Because this is our school's fourth year since its grand opening, it is the first year I saw students, who were once my students, from all of the grades greater than this year's second grade class. So every grade level had at least 20 students who I knew and loved. I remembered every one of their names. Every one. It was heartwarming to say hello to them, and acknowledge their progress.

Amidst (maybe because of) all of the joy and celebration, I was exhausted. So about a half hour before the festivities were to come to a close, my daughter and I decided to hightail it out of there. We waved good-bye as the volume of the classroom seemed to mount beyond what any human ear should have to endure. My head was pounding, and I was ready to collapse. For the first year, I didn't even take pictures - a huge disappointment for me. But I just can't seem to remember every little thing anymore. I hope and pray that I am doing enough to maintain my popularity and excellent reputation.