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I once listened to a TED Talk in which the speaker introduced (and urged listeners to explore) the idea that everyone can assign their own new year at their own designated time. This intrigued me because as a teacher, January 1st never seems like the beginning of a new year; conversely, it feels like the exact middle of a year. For several reasons, I never feel motivated to make big changes in January. One reason is that January is still entrenched in cold, dark winter, during which I just want to snuggle by a fire and read. Another reason is that January is the beginning of the second semester, which, to me, is more of a continuation than a hard reset. For these reasons, my new year starts on the first day of school. I celebrate not with noise makers, funny glasses, fireworks, or an extravagant party that drags into the early morning hours. Instead, my new year is rung in by school bells, water bottles galore, banging locker doors, new class rosters, and fresh materials and supplies. Soooooo, Happy New Year, everyone! Let's make it a good GREAT one!