So sometimes each day begins with feelings of worthlessness.  It might be the crappy commute, education field pressures from the state, problems with friends, or anything you can think of. The worthlessness is like that cough that I just can't shake.

And then the first student walks in.   And the greeting is so happy and heartfelt.  Then someone comes in to get extra work done - for my class or another, it makes no difference - and I get the nicest "thank you" for having my room, computer lab, and printer available.  Then the kids who shot the night before come in to return their equipment from the previous night's shoot, instead of hanging onto it for the whole day, unavailable for others.  Then the Period one students show up and it's like the family has arrived for a holiday.  I am so relieved to have these kids in my life every year.  It helps a lot.

So I started the portrait assignment this week.  Period 1 was able to start shooting on Thursday, Periods 2 & 6 Friday.  I had a demo duo set up and shoot for the class the day prior.  Then, the full works the following day.  Period 1, Thursday made me so happy.  I have paired the students up based on who I thought they would work best with, for any of a number of reasons.  In Periods 1 & 2, the kids were able to work with their own friends, for the most part.  Those who had trouble decided had their partners chosen by me.  Period 6?  A whole other story.  The class is nothing like my period 8 hell last year, but there are some students for whom alternative methods are most certainly called for.  So I paired the kids up in that period.  And the kids understood my methods!  Hilarious!

So period one, Thursday ran like a well oiled machine.  I have told the classes that there will be 3-4 duos shooting.  Yet that does not mean that the rest of the class sits and watches.  All extra hands are to be assisting:  light, reflectors, set up the backdrops, you name it.  The reason?  I tell them that of all my colleagues from my NBA Photo Library days who are now shooting games, teams, and sports portraits, every single one of them started out assisting a staff photographer.  They started carrying equipment, and went form there.  I tell them that I have a problem with people pooh-poohing Visual Arts graduates because they do not get into full time artist careers straight after earning the BFA.  Well, then stop pointing out that nay business related career must involve starting at the bottom.  Expect the same thing in that case.

Well, with that analogy, they get it.  And not one student was not helping out on Thursday.  I had four shoots going - one in the hall, one in the middle room, two in the classroom - and everyone figured out a way to assist.  And then the same thing happened on Friday.  I did have a couple of students in periods 2 & 6 sit and observe.  Those kids missed the demo lesson the day before.

And by the end of all periods, all equipment was put away before the bell.  I cannot convey how happy this has made me.  I don't know if I have found a better means of getting my lessons across, if the kids are that much better this year, if there is a more cooperative vibe in the building, or if the bad luck gods have given me a break.  I think it might be all of the above.  It is the one thing right now that makes the days better.....