One teacher spent Monday morning showing her kids where the cafeteria is, while another was taking in the excitement on the first day of school.

Katherine Ray and Phyllis Collier both had an exciting first day of school Monday at T.J. Harris Elementary School in Meridian. 

Ray is a first-year teacher, while Collier has been teaching at the school for 21 years.

Despite her decades of experience, Collier was nervous, but that feeling went away as soon as she saw her students.

“After they came in, I’m ready to go,” said Collier, who is teaching first grade after teaching kindergarten for 17 years. 

Ray’s day was different than she expected; after being with her students for a little while, teaching became natural.

 “It’s coming together more naturally, kind of like motherly instinct,”said Ray, who is teaching kindergarten. 

The day started out similar for both teachers, when they each played a little game to introduce themselves to their students.  

Collier first helped her students practice writing their names and going over their days of the week and the month She also read a book to her students, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” Later in the day, she planned on helping them with their math skills and reading another book, “If You Give a Dog a Donut.”

 Ray began her day by going over the calendar and reading the book “First Day.” She planned on devoting the afternoon to more reading, snack time and a little rest. 

No matter what grade they teach, both Collier and Ray are optimistic as the new school year begins. 

“I am ready for all the new challenges that lie ahead,” said Collier.