First Day Jitters Who: Jamie OT Everyone What: A greeting When: September 2, 9 am Where: Auditorium
The first year it was understandable to be nervous. Even the second year would forgive the random fluttering in his stomach. But the third? He was still nervous after three years. A lot of these people were already familiar to him. They were faces he'd seen time and time again, not only being the principal, but also when he was just a teacher. A handful, when he was still a student. But there would be faces he was not familiar with. Yes, he met with every new student and their parents and guardians when they were younger, but it was never a meeting of “getting to know you” in any way. Just a greeting, a way to show people around, answer questions, assuage any fears spoken or unspoken. Not to mention, he hated public speaking. That was why he liked writing. The only people he really had to communicate with were the ones he made up. Throw that in with a healthy dose of father/daughter time, scattered meetings with students and teachers, and he was good. It was just this opening day welcome greeting that always had him in knots. Once it was over, he would be fine.
Wearing charcoal suit pants and jacket with a blue button-up shirt untucked underneath, he at least felt comfortable in what he was wearing. That, and knowing his daughter, Belle, would have stopped him earlier to let him know what a fashion disaster he was before he had the chance embarrass them both. Sitting up on the stage, center chair in a line of his peers, Jamie ran a hand absently over the scruff of his chin as he looked out into the auditorium, searching for the face of his daughter. Pretty hopeless, given the sea of people before him. Sea of faces. Good Lord, this place was filled. For a moment that excited him more than anything. All these people here to learn, to concentrate on what really drives them. How amazing was that?
Blue eyes turned off stage, looking for a clock. He smirked to himself, realizing how very...Hogwarts he felt, sitting between all the other instructors. One of his fellow writing instructors down the line lifted his wrist, point to his watch, and held up fingers to tell the time. Jamie nodded, took a deep, steadying breath, and stood. The commotion in the room, an almost monotonous sound, softened to a quiet buzz, and then silence. Jamie placed his speech on the podium before turning his gaze to the auditorium and giving a short nod with a smile. “Good morning.” Much to his chagrin, the mic screamed with feedback, and he cringed in a laughing sort of way. Raising his gaze to the where the sound system was in the very back, Jamie held up a hand to shield his eyes. “Maybe we outta teach tech here, too?” This actually drew a laugh from the students and many turned to look back to the sound board. “Okay, let's try this again. Good morning, and welcome to The Method. For those of you who are new this year and have bad memories, or those of you who are just too old to remember such trivialities like names, I am James Walsh, principal and one of the writing instructors. Behind me are the rest of the teachers you will find running around here. We're all very excited to see how full this place is.”
The staff started clapping, so the students felt the need to join in, and Jamie paused, grinning, until it was silent again. “Those of you that have been here even for only one year know that I absolutely hate public speaking. So, and I'm sure everyone will be sorry to hear this, I'm going to keep this short. Today is the day to get moved in, to meet your roommate, meet your instructors, and to get accustomed to your surroundings. All of us will have open office doors today and I urge you to seek out your instructors, especially those of you who are new. It helps us to be able to know who you are before our first class with you. For you who have been here, just drop in and say hi. Tell us what you did with yourself over the summer. Pay up on the debt you owe for the grade you got last semester. Whatever works for you. Find your studios, classrooms...the cafeteria is always a good place to be familiar with. Just become familiar with it, and with us.
“In the next couple of weeks, you will be given the name of your mentor, an older student or instructor who will be meeting with you one a one-on-one basis. As all of you know from your orientation packets, there is no drug use allowed on campus and anyone caught with any illegal substances will be asked to leave immediately. Alcohol is permitted to those old enough to consume it, and only in the bar. No private room parties. Physical relationships are discouraged because we want you here to concentrate on your craft and not another person, but we're not foolish enough to believe it won't happen. Just be courteous to others, please, and think of the consequences of your actions. No person under the age of sixteen should be having sex. Plain and simple. If it is found out that they are, there could be serious ramifications.”
Jamie paused to look down at his notes. The speech was almost over. He wouldn't even remember what he said later if it wasn't for his notes. "Here's where I speak to the returning students. For some of you, it may be hard to remember your first day here, so let me remind you how it felt. You're nervous, you're excited. Someone of you didn't want to make friends because you just wanted to focus on what you were here to do. Some of you wanted friends more than anything you've ever wanted before because no one could better understand you than the people sitting in this room. Being new here is rough. These fields are very competitive. Don't think for even a moment that you are better than anyone else, especially newcomers, because of high marks or compliments you have been given. Everyone here is a student of someone else, myself included. That means we look to each other to learn and to guide, not to judge or put down. Try to get along with people or to at least be civil. I will not run a school full of catty, cut-throat artists. The world may work that way, but The Method does not."
Okay, so he'd gotten off on a little tangent. Realizing this, he wet his lips and slowly smiled. "Alright, that's about all I've got. Go wander, go meet and mingle. I look forward to getting to know you all better this coming year. And if you ever need anything, my door is always open. Except when it's not." He finished with a grin, and stepped back to the sound of the complimentary applause. Jamie already knew, this year was going to be a great one.