First Impressions-Prompt 1

Hello Ladies and Gents, I hope you enjoy my first prompt response! I was a bit dumbfounded as to how nervous I was about going to the school so I did a little drive by the day before my first visit to ensure that I knew where I was going and to see if there was parking. The neighborhood looks like every other part of providence with houses right on top of one another and crossing guards waiting patiently on street corners. I was pleasantly surprised to arrive upon a small, but relatively new looking building with a parking lot right across the street. I pulled up to the school around 9:30 and had my choice of the lot. There were spaces everywhere, which temporarily added to my anxiety as I convinced myself I had missed the memo on school being cancelled, but I proceeded toward the building regardless. As I had stated before, the outside of the building looked new and was very well kept. It's a long brick building, lined with windows and it had a very welcoming and safe feel to it. I stood at the door in a sort of dazed state unsure of what to do next, when an incoming teacher saved me. The button to buzz your self in had been hiding amidst the bricks. The button looks like a large rivet with no characteristics suggesting it serves a purpose and/or I am just that oblivious. Once inside the doors, I was quick to realize that everyone had to go through the office in order to get into the rest of the building. The hallways are very clean, very wide, and decorated in a variety of bright colors. There are display cases filled with student work hanging along the walls as you walk around. The classroom doors as well as the bathrooms are clearly and colorfully labeled. The décor and overall feeling reminded me of my elementary school, minus the nuns and the ancient building. The first grade classroom I reside in is best described as organized chaos. I was completely overwhelmed. The beige, brick walls are covered in an endless amount of colorful posters. Props, both big and small, surround the “morning meeting” corner. The desks are in the middle of the room grouped into fours with the exception of one student who sits alone on the side of the room. At first glance, the classroom gave me very little faith that I would be able to do anything without constantly pestering the teacher for guidance. Although, after getting settled in and with the help of the students I managed. Manners are very highly valued at this school. There are always constant reminders whether verbal or visual to use please and thank you. The students are always more than happy to assist me, as well as one another. In fact, they will start whispering the answers to one another so the teacher reminds them that they, “each need to do their own smart thinking”. .