Back In School

Well, the first week of teaching has come and gone. It's been interesting really. I am enjoying myself immensely, but it is taking every waking moment for me to keep my head above water to prepare for the next day. Everyone keeps telling me just to think of my first year as a black hole, to struggle through it and the following years will be better. It makes me wonder: If I like it, does it mean I'm not doing it right? If I don't mind all the extra work does that say something about me? (Yes, I know, I'm a nerd.)
My class is interesting too. I have 16 students - 9 girls, 7 boys. 3 of my students have been diagnosed with ADD, only one of them is on medication for it. One of the boys in the class is only about 3 inches shorter than me, and he's a 4th grader. 2 of my students are a year older than the average 4th grader, 2 are a year younger. So, my age range is 8 almost 9 to 11. Fun huh! They are a pretty great group of kids, but everyone keeps ranting and raving about how tightly knit they are to each other and I just don't see it. There are definitely little groups within the class and they are definitely mean to one another.
Well, I have about 2 hours before I leave for church. I'm going to go read my history curriculum. Hasta!