Bouquets of sharpened pencils

"You've Got Mail" was on the television this evening. It's not my favorite movie, but I always seem to find myself sucked-in whenever it is on air. There's one scene where Tom Hanks is describing why he loves New York in the Fall and he says that it makes you want to go out and buy school supplies. That's what I always think of at this time of year. I love the beginning of a school year. I love shopping for school supplies. I love decorating a classroom. I love writing class lists in my gradebook. It may seem silly, but it marks a new beginning for me.

There are not many professions where you get to start each year with a clean slate (or at least semi-clean). What ever students you have had before, you will never have the same class, for the same subject and the same lessons again. There's hope. There's a chance that this year will be different from the last.

According to the calendar, the year starts in January. But for me, it starts in August. I make my resolutions with the beginning of each new school year. Last year was my year to survive. This year I want to succeed.