Falmouth Teachers Greet New School Year Eagerly

The end of summer and the beginning of a new school year mean big changes not just for children, but for the teachers responsible for educating them. As Falmouth's schools opened their doors again this week, students and teachers began another year together, with similar emotions.

“I've never met a teacher who didn't have butterflies on the first day of school,” says Anne Tavares, who teaches fourth grade at Mullen-Hall School. “It's fun, exciting, and nerve-wracking all at the same time.”

Her students, too, begin the new school year with mixed emotions, Tavares says.

“Every student is equal parts excited and anxious about what the year holds. That mix makes for an unforgettable week.”

That first week, Tavares says, is the culmination of a summer's worth of planning.

“The summer holds endless possibilities of new lesson plans, classroom materials to be made, supply shopping and courses to spark fresh ideas. All of this anticipation and preparation comes to a climax during the first day and week of school.”

Suzy Brooks, who teaches third grade at Mullen-Hall, agrees that, however much fun the summer may hold, thoughts of the coming year are never far from a teacher's mind.

“I certainly spend time enjoying all summer has to offer, it's a wonderful gift,” says Brooks. “But, I truly enjoy spending a lot of time over the summer looking for ideas, strategies and inspiration for the coming year.”

Brooks says all those plans are aimed at one goal: getting the most out of every student she teaches.

“Each one is a different puzzle,” she says. “The more time I spend with each of them, the more I figure out where all the pieces fit. The better the pieces fit, the more they learn.”

Brooks, who has taught at Mullen-Hall for seven years, says her approach has evolved based on her experiences.

“Over the past years, I've grown more confident as a teacher. I've taken more risks, and been willing to try new ideas in many area...I've changed my belief...from, 'I am a teacher with 23 students' to 'I am a student with 23 teachers' to 'We are all teachers and learners.' It's changed my classroom to one I believe is centered more on learning, than on teaching.”

Brooks' teaching career was inspired by her own childhood teachers.

“My elementary teachers were wonderful, and they and set me on a course that allowed me to feel good about myself,” she says. “I can only hope each year, that I've done a little of the same for my own students.”

Tavares, who is in her second year teaching in Falmouth, says her dreams of becoming a teacher date back to her childhood as well.

“Ever since I was five years old, teaching the ABCs to my stuffed animals, I've wanted to become a teacher.”

Both say Falmouth is a great place to teach, and both cite the same underlying reason.

“I love teaching in Falmouth,” says Brooks. “The community is extremely supportive of the education system here.”

“Falmouth is an amazing place to teach,” says Tavares. “There is so much more community/family support here than I've experienced in other locations. Our school truly feels like a family, where everyone cares for one another.”