I student taught at Miramonte H.S. and “J” during the 2002-2003 school year. In May of 2003, I completed my teaching credential courses at Chapman University in Concord, Calif., and applied for my credential. That summer, I taught Social Studies in the summer school at Las Lomas High (I have a dual credential by examination in English and Social Studies), and was chatting with the long-time and incredibly cool principal, Pat Lickiss, about maybe coming to work there in the fall. I had also applied for a few jobs I didn’t get.

Meanwhile, a teacher at J made a decision, a week before school, that she could not teach because of a serious health problem. Into the breach stepped I, and if you think a week is enough time to get ready to teach a subject you’ve never taught by yourself before, you’ve clearly never taught. That first year was scary and difficult. It was also full time. Since then, I have taught three classes instead of the full-time load of six, and been quite happy about it.

Thus it is that, on Tuesday, I begin my 6th year of teaching, after 30 years in journalism. I was sure I would miss my old career, but I haven’t really looked back since I was laid off in October 2001, and, in fact, have not written a word for pay since then. I do still hope to write another book some day (my first was Aspirin Therapy: Reducing Your Risk of Heart Disease, Walker and Co., New York, 1979), but that will have to wait, for a subject, time, inspiration and an agent.

I had a very relaxing summer, which means, by my definition, that I haven’t spent more than two consecutive minutes thinking about school since last June 13. But we’re all headed for the starting line, and I need to repeat my mantra; this is a marathon, not a sprint. As mentioned here last week, I didn’t accomplish everything I had hoped this summer, but where there is life there is hope, and I expect there to be life within me for some time to come.