It's kind of hard when you haven't been there yet. It makes you think about how to use your classroom and community.

Today, students returning to the classroom are the rule -- not the exception.

He wanted all sports to be successful. We just felt his support was unwavering.

We also got to spend a weekend living in a home with a family.

I was very impressed by that. They were just very self-disciplined.

After I returned to school, we received a large manila envelope filled with letters written back to several of our students. I hope it is the beginning of an ongoing pen-pal relationship.