What A Week

What a week I've had. What a week. I can't talk about most of the stuff that's gone on, but today just topped the cake and I can say some stuff about it.
1. I told a little girl in my room to change her color (on the behavior chart) because she was out of her seat and talking and I'm just up there trying to teach. ;) She says, "you used to be nice when we first got here." I said, "oh yeah? And you used to behave and do as you were told when we first got here. I guess we've both changed." I mean, seriously?
2. I had on a short sweater over a long tank top. So, one of my girls says, "your sweater is small." I say, "yeah. It's supposed to be like that." She gives me this funny look and says, "oh."
3. Same girl- says to me, "I think your pants are on backwards." (Because of the design.) I say, "nope. Sure aren't. Why are you hatin' on my outfit today?" lol She's too funny.

We're getting closer to holiday breaks and my life should get MUCH more interesting! lol

On a Soapbox

I hear all the time about how "easy" teaching must be and how "nice" it is to have weekends and holidays off. Excuse me, but do you teach? Obviously not. If these people taught they would know that there is no such thing as a weekend off and summers? Summers are for professional development and pre-planning and making games and things for your future students. Summers are not for breaks. Weekends are not for sleeping. Weekends are for grading papers and finishing lesson plans. Get real people. Teaching is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year job. It is NOT 8-3 Monday through Friday, August to June. No. It is so much more than that. Many people have jobs where they are DONE when they leave the building. That is simply not how it is for a teacher. Even if you don't physically take home any work, you are constantly thinking of new ways to teach things and how to reach your kids and how to make a difference. It's not something you leave at the door when you walk out. You can't. You have more than your time invested in this job, you have your heart in it.

That is all. I am done now. Thanks for listening to the rant.

A... something...

So, one of my little girls says, "how do you spell again?" One of my boys (who is much stronger at math than spelling) looks at her and says, "a something." I laughed so hard. I was like, "thanks for that." He said, "I thought I'd help all I could. That's just all I could help this time." Too funny!!

A Good Life Lesson

They get it.

I was "preaching" to them about how tired I am of working so hard for them and I feel like they are not working hard for me. I was telling them how I am tired of them talking when I am talking and being down right disrespectful. I told them it's just not right and I'm not going to take it anymore.

I told them that Mr. (insert my last name here) hears all about them at night. I told them I tell people stuff about "my kids" all the time... like, "my kids did the coolest thing today!" I told them that I care about each and every one of them. I want them to succeed. I want them to work hard and earn what they get and feel the awesome feeling of success.

I'm saying all this and they're looking at me intently... soaking it all in. I ask them, "Why do you think I do all of this? Why did I work hard to get yall that listening center?..." A sweet little girl raises her hand and says, "because you care about us. Because we matter to you." "Exactly!" Exactly....

They get it.