It’s not about what you’ve done
It’s about what you doing
It’s all about where you going
No matter where you’ve been
Let’s go!
The first day has come and gone. I now have four days as an eighth grade science teacher under my belt. The first four days of school were amazing and I have 116 energetic eighth graders who are excited about learning, or at least they seem so. I’ve a lot of work ahead of me and I need to work on remembering ALL of their names, because after four days, I can get about only 60% of their names correct on sight – in the hallways, at lunch, or just sitting in class.
I also have a three-day weekend to sort through the coming days and weeks. I’ve got a lot to learn and a lot to do.
I am past my first day jitters. It rained that first day and the next – we got close to 6” of rain in two days. Last weekend was wet and muggy and then the August warmth rolled in just in time for the first day of school.
I love the first day of school. It’s a chance to learn, grow, and make the difference in a new set of adolescents. That’s WHY I became a teacher. Because, it’s not how much you know that matters to kids, it’s how much you care. That is why I do it, that’s why when I drive to school; I drive to school, and not to work. Yeah, there are days when it feels like work, but most of the time it feels like learning and learning NEVER ENDS.

The week before last when O was getting ready for school, she and I took some time together and distracted ourselves. We had all sorts of diversions – movies, airplane watching, and just plain ignoring the fact that school was about to begin. One morning we were on our way to my school so she could help me organize my classroom – she loves to help. O also loves to change the radio station and listen to her music when we drive places. Sometimes I let her, sometimes not, that morning a song came on and I listened. I’d heard the song before and I actually liked it. It was ‘Let’s Go’ by Calvin Harris. After the song finished and the DJ started to scream at us, I turned the radio down and asked her what would be a good song for the first day of school. She looked at me with a puzzled look. I asked her again and she began to think. Then I replayed ‘Let’s Go’ and she understood the question. We both agreed, “Let’s Go’ is a perfect day of school song. In fact, it’s a perfect first day of anything song… because “it doesn’t matter what you’ve done, it’s all about what you’re doing….. Let’s make it happen.”
Tuesday morning, I shared that story with my students and I played ‘Let’s Go.’ I asked my students why it O and I decided ‘Let’s Go’ is a perfect song for the first day. They got it and I get it, too. The lyrics for ‘Let’s Go’ are below, and so is a sound clip, give it a spin. ‘Let’s Go’ has a great beat and great sound.
It’s gonna be a great day. It’s gonna be a great weekend. Today is W’s first varsity football game; kickoff is at 1:30. He’ll take the field but probably won’t play. We have church in the park Sunday, and another football game Monday morning – junior varsity – where he’ll get to play. There are chores, organizing, planning, assess, and time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate for the week to come. Its’ gonna be a great day, so I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day a time, one chorus at a time.
Do you have a ‘first day’ song? If so, what is it?
“Let’s Go”
performed by Calvin Harris featuring Ne-YoLet’s go!
Make no excuses now
I’m talking here and now
I’m talking here and nowLet’s go!
Your time is running out
I’m talking here and now
I’m talking here and nowIt’s not about what you’ve done
It’s about what you doing
It’s all about where you going
No matter where you’ve been
Let’s go!Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!There ain’t no better time
I’m talking here and now
I’m talking here and nowLet’s go!
Right now is where you shine
I’m talking here and now
I’m talking here and nowIt’s not about what you’ve done
It’s about what you doing
It’s all about where you going
No matter where you’ve been
Let’s go!Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!Let’s make it happen
Ooh, let’s make it happen tonight
Let’s make it happen
Ooh, let’s make it happen tonight
Let’s make it happen
Ooh, let’s make it happen tonight
Let’s make it happen
Ooh, let’s make it happen tonight
Let’s go!Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
My brain stopped when I read “116 8th grade students” Ack!!
There is a special place in heaven for middle school teachers!!!
😉
Denise – THANK YOU! I became a middle school teacher by choice because I remembered a couple of influential teachers from that period of my life. Without them, my life might be very different today. I am not afraid of adolescents – i am afraid of the primary grades. Kindergartners give the willies! Ha!
You make a very good point…I think middle school teachers can really make or break things for a kid. Good choice, Clay! I just know I’m not cut out for that world! 😉
Glad you got the first day behind you and you get to enjoy a three day weekend 🙂
Ingrid thank you for stopping by – on day two of three…. took in son’s game Saturday afternoon – they came up short 10-21 and had plenty of opportunities but the other team was the better team Saturday. We watched another game Saturday night together and got to talk… it was a good time… today I gotta get down to business! I hope you enjoy the weekend and the coming week.
I became an elementary school teacher in my mid-forties and loved every minute in the classroom. There is no more rewarding a profession! Good for you!
Thank you for stopping by. You are correct there is no profession that gives back more than teaching. I am also a second career teacher – I began teaching after a career in the restaurant business and enjoy every day with the kids. Thank you.