Today was amazing. I felt like I'd been doing this teaching thing for years. The kids fell right into routines from last year that I want to carry into this year. They were excited and cooperative. With the exception of three today (and another tomorrow), I taught all of my students last year and they actually believed I was teacher then! I was concerned that I hadn't really attained "teacher status," and thus would have some issues with management and authority, but there was no problem. I'm the happiest fool walking around town. Optimism has re-entered my world. Third grade is going to be awesome.