My fear of open toe shoes (teaching)

I spend most of each school day moving. I stand at my dry erase board,
I use my talking hands to explain mathematical concepts, I crouch down
to conference with good readers and writers, I get down to eye level
to explain why it's not okay to punch a friend in the back when he in
in your way, and I gently step around children and their appendages to
make my way to a phone that always seems to be ringing when I am as
far away from it as I possibly could be. I also spend time trying not
to get my foot stepped on or be on the bottom of some falling chair
scenario which happens a little more often than one might expect.

Due to all of this, my shoes must have comfort and a protective
quality. In fact, I see the comfortable shoe is a critical aspect of
teaching. I favor Converse and Puma. Last year, I would mix it up with
dress shoes. But, this year, I see that as an unnecessary action of a
first year teacher. My teaching shoe self is now so ingrained in my
being that I am having a difficult time getting over my fear of the
open toe. I need to get a pair of Tevas for India. Each time I look at
the shoes, a variety of painful possibilities flash past my eyes.
Teaching can change a person.