Last night, as I filtered through posts on Facebook, I came across many friends from my hometown in Virginia who posted photos of their children with their book bags, ready for their first day of school.

I couldn’t believe how grown up some of those children looked and how proud they seemed to be as they headed off to learn.

It’s crazy that school is already starting. My older sister, who is a teacher, also started last week at a school in Utah. Where has the summer gone?

In Albert Lea, school doesn’t start until the day after Labor Day, but my daughter, who is 7, has been ready to go back for several weeks now. We bought her school supplies a couple weeks ago, and her book bag is loaded up. We meet her teacher next week.

Getting my daughter ready to start school reminds me of my own childhood days getting ready for school when I was her age more than 20 years ago. I enjoyed prepping for school so much that once my parents and I bought all of my school supplies, I can remember packing and then repacking my book bag. I was so excited to have all of the new notebooks and pencils and other supplies, not to mention a few new outfits and new tennis shoes.

To this day, I still enjoy buying new office supplies, whether it’s notebooks, Post-it notes or pens.

I have many fond memories of school when I was my daughter’s age and beyond.

School was where I learned the importance of reading and ultimately gained my passion for writing. It was where I began to develop creativity.

School was also where I met many lasting friends and made many memories, most of which were positive.

I was blessed to have many dedicated teachers whose love of learning helped get myself and the other students excited to learn, too.

I didn’t realize at my daughter’s age what all goes into being a teacher.

Not only does the job require a lot of patience and creativity, but it also requires a lot of time and hard work. I don’t think I have the patience to teach 20 or 30 students. It takes a special person to be a teacher.

As we enter another school year, kudos to all of our Albert Lea teachers, who I have seen exhibit as much dedication and compassion toward students as the teachers I had growing up.

We appreciate you, and our children appreciate you, too.

 

Sarah Stultz is the Tribune managing editor. She can be reached by phone at 379-3433 or by email at sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com.