Butterflies Abound as First-Year Teachers Await Day One

Glenn Dale Principal Lia Thompson predicted that the two would energize returning faculty.

"They bring excitement and energy -- their enthusiasm, their love for the profession they've chosen, their eagerness to do the best that they can for the students they're working with," Thompson said.

Like Moreno, Onuoha and Fields, 23, a recent graduate of Bowie State University, said it is crucial for them to establish control from the minute their pupils walk into the classroom.

"I'm going to establish the rules straight on, be firm. I want to be nice, but at the same time I want to establish the respect," Fields said.

There are less daunting last-minute preparations and decisions. Megan Hamley, 22, a recent George Washington University graduate who will begin teaching pre-kindergarten next week at C.W. Harris Elementary in Southeast Washington, is pondering whether to have her students call her Miss Hamley or Megan.

Moreno has decided to go by Señor Moreno, but he needs to set up his classroom this week. He said he wants to decorate his walls with Spanish words and phrases.

"I'll have the alphabet, numbers in Spanish, a lot of cultural pictures that I can use for lessons in the class," he said. "That way students can see them from Day One and have an interest from the start."

Onuoha spent yesterday afternoon organizing an orange wicker basket of books in the jungle-themed reading corner of her classroom at Glenn Dale.

Across the hall, Fields put textbooks on each desk and finished decorating her students' hall passes. She said she wants her classroom to be warm and inviting. "I want to let them know that I'm here for them and that I believe in them."

"I feel prepared," Fields added, "but I'm sure tomorrow morning I'll still have the jitters."