There’s a certain magic in the moment right after the last bell rings. The backpacks are slung over shoulders, the chatter drifts down the hallway, and then — silence. My classroom, which has been buzzing with energy and noise all day, suddenly exhales.
That’s my favorite time of day. Not morning coffee, not lunch, not even bedtime. It’s the hush that settles over the room once the students are gone.
Of course, it’s not always immediate. There’s usually one student — never the same one twice — who takes an extra-long time to gather their things. I smile, make conversation, and try to be patient, but in my head I’m thinking, please hurry up and get out of here. It’s the teacher’s version of “Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?” I’d never say it out loud, but I can’t help but chuckle at myself for thinking it.
Once that last backpack finally disappears, the quiet settles in. With Duval County’s new 3×3 schedule, planning time is thinner than ever. The days feel longer, tighter, more demanding. All the more reason that when the room finally grows still, it feels like a gift.
It’s not just the absence of noise; it’s the presence of peace. The calm after the chaos. The reset I need before diving into grading, meetings, or heading home.
And every afternoon, I find myself quietly grateful for it. Just like that, the spell is broken — until tomorrow, when the bell rings again and we start the whole dance over.
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt
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