First steps

I was having a chat with a non teaching friend the other day about how I feel at the beginning of every school year.
That strange combination of excitement about meeting new students, but the anxiety about making a good first impression.
Wanting to create a positive and friendly environment, but also make sure that my students know what the boundaries are.
Trying to create that perfect approachable yet professional persona.
Preparing for first lessons, but also knowing that the plan could go out the window depending on what happens in the first meeting.
Knowing that from even BEFORE they come through the door, that whatever I do will set the tone for the entire year.

My friends reply was that she was now feeling anxious for me!!!

I both love and loathe the idea that no matter how much I plan and prepare, it is often the incidental moments in the first few days that can make the difference to building positive relationships with my students.
Which leads me to what I hope to focus on this year.

I am calling it BBR - Building Better Relationships.

This is going to be a BIG year.
#educampewelly to start with, and I am hoping to build better relationships with my fellow #WellyED community
#scichatnz is growing, and I am building better relationships with my fellow Science teachers
#BioLiveChemEd2015 is happening, and I am well on the way to building better relationships with the organising committee
#edchatnz is growing - and this year, I hope to build better relationships through this
We have 12 new staff members at our school, two of whom are in the Science Department, so I hope to build better relationships with these new staff

AND - MOST IMPORTANTLY - I have five new classes of students to BBR with. Because it always comes back to these guys, the most crucial part of everything! If I didn't have students, I would not be able to teach.  If I was not able to teach, well, I can't imagine what I would do.

Where to next?
... a very good question.