As the school year kicks off, the MLC team is reflecting on some of their favorite moments for school. Prior to his career in government, Rudy was a public school teacher.
A special kind of anticipation comes with being a first-year teacher on the first day of school. It’s a blend of excitement, nervousness, and hope. Months of preparation have led to this moment—hours spent studying classroom management techniques, practicing lesson plans, and imagining what it will feel like to finally step into your own classroom.
In my first year of teaching, the thing I looked forward to the most was meeting my students for the first time. As a teacher, you’re told repeatedly that relationships are at the heart of everything. You can have the best-planned lessons, the most engaging activities, and inspiring classroom design, but none of that matters without connection. And on the first day, meeting the students is the first step toward building that connection.
I spent so much time imagining the moment. Who will they be? What will their personalities and interests reveal? Will they love science experiments or be more drawn to art? I wondered what questions they might ask, what jokes they’d laugh at, and how I could create a space where they feel seen and valued.
When the moment finally came, it was almost surreal. Some were quiet, their eyes scanning the room for familiar faces. Others were already laughing and chatting with friends. A few seemed unsure about where to sit or what to do, their uncertainty mirroring my own in a way that made me smile.
“Good morning!” I said, and their eyes turned to me, a mixture of curiosity and expectation. At that moment, the nerves faded. This isn’t just about me anymore—it’s about them. These were the students I’d spend the next nine months with, encouraging them to take risks, solve problems, and discover new things about themselves and the world. It was a privilege I didn’t take lightly.
Of course, there was still a lot to figure out. Who will be the class clown? Who will be the overachiever? What’s the best way to handle the chatterbox in the second row or the student who seems reluctant to engage? While those questions would come, my priority was one thing: making them feel welcome.
I wanted each student to know they belonged, that this is their classroom as much as it is mine. Meeting them was just the beginning of a journey filled with trust, growth, and moments of shared joy.
As the day unfolded, I reminded myself to soak it all in. The first day only happens once, and the memories would become part of the story of my teaching career.
So, when I think back to what I looked forward to the most as a first-year teacher, it wasn’t just meeting my students—it was the opportunity to begin a journey together.
