this new school year is really feeling like coming home. at least, as much as one can when speaking of a job... it is still a job, but about 90% of the time it really doesn't feel like one. and this, my 4th year teaching, feels the most comfortable and fitting of all. the kids who were freshmen when i first started are now seniors, i know everyone and all the routines, it's just a good feeling.
i'm still not all that close to any of my co-workers, but they're pleasant to be around for the most part.
i've always sort of wished i could have at least one good friend in the bunch, but it's just too hard to develop. the only social time of the day happens at lunch where we crowd 12 teachers around an 8-seater table, try to have 3 conversations at the same time over the dull roar of 240 students, and inhale our lunches in the 15 minutes before the bell rings.

there is a potentially exciting thing developing though. the reason i've wished for better teacher relationships is mainly because i really long to have someone here at school that i can pray with about all the different issues that crop up when working with 100 high school kids a day. i miss having someone to have deeper conversations with and relate to.
turns out, a friend from college who works with church youth in the area was here the other day, surprisingly. i asked her what she was up to. i guess one of the high school girls named jordan is wanting to meet on friday mornings and have a little bible study before school and pray for each other. she's wanting to invite other girls, but she's pretty reserved...
i'm so excited about it! i told my friend i'd like to meet with them, and throughout the week i can keep up with jordan and maybe encourage her with inviting girls, etc.
so we'll see how it goes, but it could be the beginning of a really neat thing.
i don't have jordan in class, but i see her in the halls. if you think of it, you could pray for us.