Kindergarten Butterflies

16 kindergarten classes.  That's how many we have at our huge primary school, and walking in to

teach one during the very first week of school can be a daunting experience!  Actually, I taught 2 classes on their very first DAY of school, at 8:30 and 9:15, no less!  For one thing, I'm not sure whether they know how to pay attention for 45 minutes.  Can they sit still?  Will they be terrified and cry for their "real" teacher?  As I entered classroom after classroom after classroom, I would always see little children sitting criss-cross applesauce on the carpet, waiting expectantly for Miss Mimi, whom they didn't know from Adam.  Big eyes and solemn faces would watch me come in and unpack my teaching supplies.  On morning, I walked in, stopped in my tracks, widened my own eyes, and said to the teacher in a serious voice, "Are they nice?"  "Yes," she said, playing along, "they're VERY nice."  "They're not mean?  I don't need to be scared?" I continued.  "No, they're not monSTERS, they're monSTARS," she said.  "Do they bite?"  I asked.  By this time kids were starting to understand that we were just kidding around, and I heard giggles.  One petite girl with long dark hair and big chocolate colored eyes stood and walked slowly and solemnly toward me.  Close to her face she held a tiny velvet rabbit.  Stroking the bunny tenderly, she said in a genuine tone, "We'll be very nice.  Don't be scared." Of course I laughed with glee, gave her a hug, and let the children know how happy I was to meet them.  It's comforting to know that the kids understand the anxiety of new situations and will always have my back!