First Day of School Tomorrow

This weekend has involved a lot of preparation, heavy lifting, and hours of planning! Yesterday I spent 9 hours at the school, along with another 20 or so teachers, cleaning and moving old furniture, and then more planning for the upcoming fall term. It was nice to see everyone lending a hand, and working as a team, to make the school look beautiful! We prepped and organized for the 600 new (and old) students arriving Monday. Something that surprised me was that every kid also gets a package of school supplies on the first day -kind of takes the fun out of back to school shopping if you ask me.

I've been thinking about how I used to feel on the first day of school.  I was usually a nervous wreck, and for a couple of years, I would make myself sick to my stomach (literally) from the anxiety. Thank god I grew out of that in high school! I really hope my students don't feel like that tomorrow.

My Grade 1 school photo

Tomorrow I meet my group of Mentor students! This is something I hadn't heard of before coming to Sweden, and it's an incredible idea if you ask me. Each teacher is responsible for 16 students in a Year group. As a mentor, we are the main point of contact for parents, we give guidance if they are struggling with a specific subject, and in general, we are that person they can come to if they are having a rough time at school.  We meet with our mentor classes once a week and check in with their parents twice a month.  There are also opportunities to go on trips outside of school with the mentor students. I am really excited to meet them!

I am less excited for Tuesday - the first day of formal lessons. I'm a bit nervous to be honest. It will be my first  year as a new teacher, in a new country, surrounded by a new language and culture, while learning a new curriculum and assessment program.  Here goes nothing ... Wish me luck!