This is something I've really noticed in public school teaching. When I started at my school I was the first ever FT. Now all of my new students have had FTs before, at elementary or middle school (I teach MS & HS) and English camps. On the plus side they're coming into MS (but not so much HS) with noticeably better practical English speaking and listening abilities. On the down side it seems like it's harder to start off with the kids automatically paying attention and trying to follow just because a FT is something different. When I was in my second and third year my new classes were always easiest at the beginning of the year because everything was novel. Now, it seems they're the most difficult in that I have to work to train them to pay attention and enforce very simple rules like bringing textbooks and not playing with things. I don't know if this is the result of them having previous FTs who were just slack or if they see me as just another new teacher to be tested.
In any event, it really looks like the days of us being such objects of curiosity are over. Sure, they're still very curious, but the celebrity appeal has really waned. I suppose that in many respects this is a good thing, as it does mean that now we actually have to work hard to stay interesting right from the beginning.
