In order to get to my end-of-the-year goals I need to constantly alter lesson plans, meet changing needs of my students, and make sure to plan far in advance. Most of my random thoughts have been school-related (versus personal life thoughts) since August 2008 and I don't see the ratio changing any time soon. Lately I've been thinking about the time I invest in helping my children met the goals I set for them at the beginning of the year - lofty goals, but the kiddies aren't disappointing me. I do really love the work I do, it's true. No matter how much a person loves his or her job, one can always find many happy things to do on an unexpected day off in March.
Seriously, I'm totally allowed to be thrilled at this little gift (who am I kidding, this HUGE gift). I gleefully exclaimed, "It's a snow day!" and he replied, "I always thought the kids were the excited ones, not the teachers." I may mentioned he was terribly mistaken and I was happy to correct the error - or maybe I kept that to myself. My stories might not have the wild nature they did before (who could forget Steamroller?), but I'm learning that things don't have to be chaotic to be memorable.Īs I returned from walking my pup in the 7 inches of snow covering every inch of the sidewalks this morning, my landlord asked what I was still doing home. Since it's so hard to believe that I'm no longer swimming against the current and drowning, my goal is to make more time to recognize all the good that's happening in the classroom. She shares the name with one of my favorite students from this past year - good omen. I can't wait to see my teacher friends again and I am looking forward to meeting my new co-teacher. I know September will be a nutty month, always is, but I feel armed with the support of an entire school and three years of experience behind me. This time around, I'm looking forward to meeting my new kindergarten babies. Butterflies in my stomach three years ago, what an understatement. Good thing? Bad thing? Compared to my first year of teaching, VERY good thing. Anticipating the start of the school year, I'm not getting butterflies like usual. It's hard to believe that I'm about to enter my fourth year of teaching, teaching kindergarten at that. "Oh, and did you know that gorillas don't have tails but they do have a lot of teeth? Can I come back to kindergarten?" I know that this student will most likely get used to the fact that I'm no longer his teacher, but I sure hope that excitement remains and that he will forever know that someone in kindergarten loves him. I suppose it goes to show how a little love goes a long way. Then he goes on, "And did you know that an adult gorilla can weight 300 lbs? That's bigger than me!" "And if I cannot see you, I can always sense you." "How do you always find me here," I exclaim, genuinely surprised.
Even before I spot him, I hear my name being squealed and small arms wrapped around my middle. However, for the past few days, this student who misses me so has been on his way to the bathroom at exactly the same time that I do work in the teacher office. Lesson planning, keeping an eye on the bathroom to ensure no wild parties are taking place. Recently during the afternoon, I have been spending a bit of my prep time in the teacher office, located across from the boy's bathroom. If I happen not to be in the room at the time he comes, he leaves me a note on the dry erase board and gives my co-teacher double hugs on his way out. He often comes to visit at the end of the day for a hug and some casual conversation. His greatest desire is to be back in my kindergarten class, and he lets any and every adult know (especially his first grade teachers). a previous student from last year who misses me terribly. It's a lot to remember in the midst of teaching reading comprehension and writing, but with three years, going on four, under my belt, I am sufficiently prepared to handle just about any situation.Īt least I thought I was. They need to feel empowered and challenged. You can give them a lot of directions, but you must give them choices. They need to know you love them, constantly (really, who doesn't?). As a fourth year kindergarten teacher, I've learned a thing or two about four and five year olds.
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