I love my job! I was able to say this truthfully about a week ago. When I said it, many people offered to take my temperature. You see, I’ve just started my third year, so “First encounters” could be a misnomer, but this is my first encounter with such a sentiment.

As a four-year-old in reception class, 22 years ago, I saw two teachers giggling behind a register and thought it looked like a cool thing to do; my career was decided. Now I’ve achieved my ambition, and I’m beginning to feel excited about it. I’m no longer the new girl and, although still the baby of the modern languages department, I feel more confident and part of a team.

What characterises this good feeling? I am more relaxed with classes, and can come up with a good title for each lesson. I have sudden flashes of inspiration that actually work, and I enjoy marking books. I have also found that I prefer to teach the lower-ability classes.

It is inspirational when a class can produce the past tense in German. Nothing can compare to the feeling of seeing a whole class with their hands up to answer a question, even if it’s for a reward.

I can’t claim that all is perfect. My tutor group is one of a kind. If I were in the same school as TES columnist Gemma Warren they would be known as BAN 9, and a few teachers think that is what we should do with them - ban them from being together as a group. Individually they are lovely, but together, they rival the chattering of starlings, the gossip of hairdressers, and the rowdiness of MPs in session. They are no longer enthusiastic Year 7s; they are the argumentative adolescents of Year 9.

What has inspired me so much? It could be several things: my Friday night relaxation in the steam room and Jacuzzi, my first GCSE results proving that I’m not such a bad teacher, or maybe the positive feeling around the school at the moment. Whatever it is, I’ll have more, please. Pass me the next set of books, and let’s get back to work!

Christine Banks is a modern languages teacher at Bideford College, north Devon. Are you a PGCE or BEd student, NQT or new classroom assistant? Want to earn pound;100?Write no more than 450 words to Jill Craven, Friday magazine, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1W 1BX. Email: jill.craven@tes.co.uk