First-Day Jitters Aren't Just for Students

"Oh my gosh, look at all these paints!" Murdock said when he discovered a stash in a cabinet. "And glitter. Glitter's awesome."

His room gradually took shape. An encyclopedia set cobbled together from three editions -- 1977, 1981 and 1986 -- sat along the window. Computers were rearranged so Murdock could see their screens more easily. The teacher's heavy, ancient desk went in a corner. He was gaining confidence.

"It's going to work out," Murdock said. "The first day comes whether you like it or not."

So it did. In his last minutes of freedom, he stood in the hallway with a veteran fifth-grade teacher, Deirdre Blackmore.

"It'll be good," Murdock said, as much to himself as his colleague.

"It'll be fine," Blackmore said. "It'll be fine."

"We'll get through it," Murdock said.

There was a brief pause.

"Let's do clocks," Blackmore said, suddenly. They synchronized watches so they could swap students in the hallway rapidly.

A group of fifth-graders approached. "Are these my babies?" Blackmore said. "Yes, these are my babies!" She danced a little jig.

Murdock's students were late, and he couldn't stand the wait. He walked downstairs. "I have to find my kids," he said to a passing teacher in the hallway.

He did, then rushed back to his doorway. The children arrived. The long wait was over. Murdock was now a teacher.