Back to School - August 13, 2010

On Friday, I got through my annual August rite of passage - the first day of school.

When I was a child, I couldn't imagine that there was anyone on the face of the earth who had a harder time going back to school than a student. That is, until I became a teacher. I love my job, but it's difficult for teachers, too, to immediately get up to speed, especially when the teacher in this case had such a wonderful, life-changing summer experience in Turkey.

One of the things I enjoy most about the first week of school is having ex-students return to my classroom to say "hello." I laugh when a child, who might have thought I was an ogre the previous year when he/she was enrolled in my class, suddenly acts like I am his/her best friend.

I guess it works both ways. Some of the students who made me want to pull my hair out are some of the students I look back on with the most fondness.

This year's first day was especially meaningful to me because I had three students at different times in the day stop by to ask me about my trip to Turkey. Smiles broke out on all of their faces when they heard how well it went.

Since the students were no longer in my class and were now my "best friends," I asked them each what they thought. The answers ranged from "Wow!" to "cool" to "I never thought you'd make it."

Last year, one of my Friday visitors told me that he didn't think he could afford college. It was the moment I had been waiting for. "If Mr. Dickinson can survive in Turkey, you can go to college. Anything is possible." The boy laughed and said, "You're right." If anything, I will be able to draw upon my experiences in Turkey as a motivator for the rest of my teaching career.

I can see it now ... "You say you can't make the soccer team. Ten years ago, I survived in Turkey for a month with no money. If Mr. Dickinson can do it, you can do it."

I've also enjoyed the reactions of some of my fellow teachers. My favorite is from a teacher who said, "Dickinson. I still can't believe you actually tried that in the first place."

As I see more students, I'll let you know what they said.

Also, after careful consideration, I have decided to go ahead and write a book about my trip. I realize it will be a lot of work, but I think I have an unusual story to tell that might motivate someone else to do something that he or she is on the fence about right now.

Once again, I want to thank everyone who helped me this summer, either financially or through words of encouragement. It meant so much to me.

I'll keep you posted.