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This year, I decorated my classroom with a magical creature theme. There’s a giant castle on one wall and a dragon on the other. I knew it’d be a big hit with the little ones, and I wasn’t wrong. Apparently, my room was the talk of the school, and several colleagues came by and poked their heads in just to see.
Before the bell rings, I go to my door to greet my kids. It also helps me memorize their names. However, right now, they’re wearing name tags, so it makes it easier.
“Good morning, class!” I say, bright and cheery as I give them high fives on their way in.
“Good morning, Miss Bishop!” Their small voices fill the space.
The first week of school is all about learning boundaries, going over the rules and expectations, and how to properly ask questions. Throughout the day, I show them where supplies go, how to use glue, replacing marker lids, and other instructions that will make my life easier for the rest of the year.
After the final bell rings, I’m tired as hell but also eager about teaching dance.
Ashlin stops me in the hall. “I don’t know where to go.”
“For the after-school program?”
She nods sweetly, and I can tell she’s a little overwhelmed. “I’m going there now, so you can follow me if you’d like.” I hold out my hand, and she immediately takes it.
“Thank you.”
We walk to the gym, and I turn on the giant fans.
Lacey meets up with me. “There you are! How was your first day?”
“As expected! I’m so tired,” I admit.
“Is that code for you want to eat pizza and drink tequila?” She waggles her brows.
I snort. “No way. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do that again.”
She chuckles and looks around. “Sure ya will. Are you ready to do this?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I grab the megaphone and clear my throat before queuing it up.
“Hey, y’all! So excited you’re here. My name is Miss Bishop, and this is Miss Garcia. If you have any questions, you can ask us or any of the other teachers here.” Then I introduce the teachers who have volunteered to help.
“If you’re in kindergarten, go to Mrs. Hallows, who’s holding the green sign!” I point at the far end of the gym, then go through the other grades and match them with their teachers. A month before school started, Lacey and I recorded the routine and sent it to the teachers. Now, they’ll teach the choreography to the students, and we’ll eventually put them all together. I cannot wait to see how the final production turns out.
Each group has fifteen to twenty kids, which is what I was hoping for. Lacey and I chose to work with the first- and second-grade students and assigned the others to the age groups they typically teach.
“Miss Bishop!” Ashlin looks up at me with her dark brown eyes. “I need to go to the bathroom.”
Lacey continues her instructions, and I show Ashlin where it is.
“This is a lot of fun,” she says, and it makes my heart swell.
“I’m so glad to hear that!” I tell her as she skips into the restroom. Hearing Ashlin say that has made all the prep work we did this summer worth it, and it’s only the first day.
She comes out and walks right up to me. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I offer, and we return to the group. Ashlin stands beside a little boy and picks right back up where we left off.
They’re adorable and are learning quicker than I ever anticipated. My eyes scan over the room and land back on our group. They’re having the time of their lives.
As I stand beside Lacey, my mind wanders. One day, I hope to adopt. Since meeting a handful of foster children last year, I’ve been researching the foster to adopt program as well. I’ve had an easy life on the ranch with a family who loves and supports me, but I know not everyone has that. Some kids desperately want and need parents, and I’d love to provide that.
While adopting isn’t something I’ve voiced too much over the years, it’s embedded deep in my heart. No one else in our family has gone that route, but I know they’d be thrilled about my decision, especially Grandma Bishop, who is dead set on expanding the family. Of course I’d love to get pregnant one day and have my own kids, but I’m not sure that’s in the cards for me.
“Five, six, seven, eight…turn around and bow!” Lacey tells our group on beat with an energetic smile. She’s in her element. When they finish the next eight counts, I clap. “Woo! That time was amazing. You’re all doing so great.”
Lacey grins. “Okay, let’s do it again from the top!”
We continue running through the parts they learned until it’s time to give them a little break.
