I left for work later than I hoped I would. I dropped all the recycling on my way out the door. La Croix cans rolled all over my living room. Amazon boxes tumbled from my arms, scaring my dog.
My computer wouldn't connect to the printer. I needed 10 handouts for my intervention class and they refused to print. I had to improvise.
My 8th graders walked into my classroom for first period. They were talking. They weren't taking out their books for reading. A few pulled out iPads, and not for ebooks. The boys at the back table, who are usually able to get settled and into their books right away, clearly had other plans for the morning.
I could sense my blood pressure rising.
"Everybody stop and listen to me," I stood up. "I'm already in a bad mood. I have had an annoying morning. I feel like I'm about to be mean and maybe overreact about very small things... so just please get into our normal routine, okay?"
And they did.
I stood back as they all transformed back into their best selves. Impressive. I did the same.
Sometimes being honest with myself creates an opportunity to reset my mindset...
...and being honest with my students allows them to help me do just that.