Steaming mug of coffee in my hand, I glance over my desk.

Daily plan. Math book. Red pen. My blush coloured Boss Lady notebook, faithfully keeping all of my notes and to-dos organized in one place.

I light my candle (a gift from a student) and the gentle scent of twisted candy cane floats toward the door like a warm greeting.

Ah, yes. Ready to be the chaos coordinator in grade 4A for the next few hours.

A quiet sound distracts me from the rhythm of my morning routine, and I turn toward the source.

Little boy giggles.

Two brave (and mischievous) kindergarten littles have tiptoed into the grade four classroom. They stand proudly near the door, silently watching me prepare for the day until their giggles spill over.

When I ask if they would like to try a fourth grade desk for size, to get a glimpse of what life will be like in a few years, their eyes grow round and the giggles fade. I can tell they’re thinking, “Grade FOUR? We won’t be there for a LONG time!”

They look around and giggle again, before marching out the door with satisfied smiles on their delighted, innocent little faces.

I watch them disappear, and a smile spreads across my face as I think, “soon my children will all come tumbling in through that door.”

Any child is welcome in my classroom, any age. I enjoy building relationships with students. Some of my most precious moments happen before the 8:55 bell.

But there’s nothing quite like interacting with the students who are mine.

Knowing that I’m responsible for them. To share the excitement about four wheelers, or the disappointment when the newborn kittens don’t make it.

To teach them academics and life lessons.

Also, to soothe their worries to the best of my ability in all areas. Including reassuring them that human bodies do NOT decay until after death, not even if they were to sit still for a very long time. (No, there is no risk of decaying if you watch an entire hockey game. However, exercise IS good for us.)

I gaze over their rows of desks and in my mind, see each of their faces.

Suddenly, I can hardly wait to get started with the new day.

Welcome, Monday morning.

Welcome, new week with my class.

I walk to my podium and let the grin spread across my face.

I’ve found my little niche in this world.