Monday, January 9, 2012

The night before returning to the classroom

I am anxious. I will teach two sections of intermediate composition tomorrow. I haven't taught critical writing (or academic writing as they label it here) in eighteen years.

I'm ready for tomorrow but not for the rest of the semester. I'm five minutes ahead of my students.

Tomorrow I'll pull my new briefcase on wheels. I'll wear a back brace and a knee brace and smile widely as if I know what I'm doing. I'll make eye contact. I'll make them write about themselves and read it back to me. I'll mock them and laugh at them.

I will be myself and it will be enough.


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18 comments:

  1. RachelJanuary 9, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    They are all going to fall in love with you after the first five minutes, so who cares if you are only a few minutes ahead of them. I'd take your class just to listen to your wit and wisdom. You're a pretty big deal and they're all lucky to have you.

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  2. MarciaJanuary 9, 2012 at 9:27 PM

    I totally want to be in your class.

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  3. Anne LouiseJanuary 9, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    You will be yourself, and it will be more than enough. Now stop thinking.

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  4. Bonnie WhiteJanuary 9, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    And wear those new shoes. And amen to what everyone else said. You are a big deal. They will be intimidated and in love all at once.

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  5. dedeJanuary 10, 2012 at 4:03 AM

    No question. Relax, you've got this.

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  6. ThelmaJanuary 10, 2012 at 6:34 AM

    I wish I could take a writing class from you again. I still have some papers you wrote comments on. No pressure, but you change lives.

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  7. SarahJanuary 10, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    Hooray! I can't wait to hear how it goes.

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  8. HarleyJanuary 10, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    you can do it! love you louise!

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  9. eliseJanuary 10, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    I would go back to school just to be in your writing class.

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  10. Angie LarkinJanuary 10, 2012 at 10:10 AM

    I would live without pinkie toes to take a class from you.

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  11. LaurenJanuary 10, 2012 at 11:57 AM

    There are people there that need you. Just like you told me when you came back from BYU-Hawaii... there were people there that needed you. Just like Thelma said, you change lives. Lucky class!

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  12. EmilyJanuary 10, 2012 at 1:12 PM

    You will be amazing. Without even trying.

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  13. EricaJanuary 10, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    I'm with Dede; you've got this.

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  14. KatyJanuary 10, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    You'll be unforgettable. I'm singing Nat King Cole to you right now.

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  15. heatherJanuary 10, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    But the most important question to answer is: What are you going to wear on the first day?

    In photos you look great in bright colors.

    Along with everyone else, I think the class is dang lucky to have you. Since I can't come to class, do you teach by correspondence? I would love to be your student.

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  16. Bonnie WhiteJanuary 10, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    Heather's idea is brilliant. When you don't want to make that trip down to Provo anymore, you can develop an online course, set up a paypal and teach from the comfort of your living room.

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  17. JerJanuary 10, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    They will love you. Especially if you do the shimmy. ;)

    In all seriousness, I learned so much from you in a week, I can only imagine what I'd learn in a whole semester. They are lucky students.

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  18. SarahJanuary 11, 2012 at 5:50 PM

    It felt like you were laughing with us in class.
    I adored you all the same!

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