Well, I suppose they need a mention, don’t they? Seeing students walk into your classroom on day one is really what we all do it for. What makes the autumn term so exciting for a teacher is knowing just what treats they have in store for them in the year ahead.
The only feeling that I can relate it to is when you introduce a friend to a great book, movie or album - you know what’s coming their way and how it will grab them. Times that feeling by a hundred and that’s what is so great about teaching.
‘Young minds waiting to be stretched’
I love receiving my new A-level sociology and politics students, knowing they are yet to have their minds stretched and strained by grappling with the complexities that await, and knowing that their responses to these great issues will help to shape their values, their character and, ultimately, the impact they have on the world.
If you want only one reason to look forward to the new term - one reason to focus on to drown out the stress and keep you at the top of your game - make it this one.
Tom Finn-Kelcey is head of social sciences at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, Kent. He tweets @TFinnKelcey
This is an edited version of an article in the 2 September edition of TES. Subscribers can view the full article here. To subscribe, click here. This week’s TES magazine is available at all good newsagents. To download the digital edition, Android users can click here and iOS users can click here. You can also download the TES Reader app for Android and iOs.
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