With the start of the semester upon us, I have sat through six introduction speeches from six amazing educators. Three of these professors are teaching an education course to help me become an educator myself. All these speeches got me thinking about my own speech that I will, eventually, have to give to my students on the first day of school. The students will be sitting in my class, dead from the lack of sleep they had or extremely chatty because the scheduling gods gave them a class with two of their best friends. I have one chance to make a first impression and this is what I want them to know.

I want my students to know that I am human.

I make mistakes frequently. I am by no means a perfect person. Especially in the first couple years, I am not going to have all my answers and lesson plans completely together in an organized binder. But I will be trying to be the best for them.

I want my students to know that I am probably more nervous than they are.

They just have to sit in a desk and maybe say a fun fact about themselves. I am vulnerable to their judgement and I might say "um" quite a few times. I have thought about having my nameplate on that door for so long that I might be a little shook. We will get through the first couple weeks of nervousness together and settle into a routine.

I want my students to know that it's okay to be talkative and it's okay to be shy.

In some classes, I would never shut up. In others, I'm not sure if the teacher knew what my voice sounded like. I understand that forcing someone to talk could be the most panic-inducing thing to happen to them all week, so it is okay to be shy. I still want to hear your ideas, but if you don't feel comfortable talking in front of the class, just write a note and drop it on my desk. I'll write back.

I want my students to know that I'm not out to ruin their life.

One bad grade on an assignment will not ruin your college potential. One night of heavy reading will not ruin your life. Breathe in, breathe out.

I want my students to know that if there is a problem, come talk to me.

Whether it's personal or about the class, you can talk to me about it. I tend to be decent with advice.

I want my students to know that I care about their success, in and outside of my classroom.

I want to know about your "A" in geometry. I want to know that you won your game. I want to celebrate your individual successes outside of the classroom as much as I want to celebrate your successes inside of it. My class is, probably, not the most exciting thing happening in your life, so let's celebrate it all.

I want my students to know that if something is not clicking in their brain, that I can help.

I am not going to laugh at you for not understanding the symbolism in Lord of the Flies. I will not judge you for not understanding Shakespeare's language. Let me know and I will do my best to help it click.

I want my students to know that I will be their advocate when no one else will.

If they need someone to stand up for them, I would be on the front lines.

I want my students to know that I am a reasonable person.

If there is an issue in the class, let me know. I can be flexible if needed. I'm still learning and not everything is going to be perfect on the first try.

I want my students to know that they are not children and I don't intend to treat them as such.

That means that they will be expected to do their work and turn things in on time. I don't like excuses.

I want my students to know that I will work to my fullest extent and then some so then they can succeed.

Their success means everything to me. I want them to use me as a resource to help better their learning. I would try endlessly to make sure that they are able to walk out of my classroom in June knowing that they learned something and they were better for being in my class.