And then today happened. My job sometimes leaves me feeling crazy. Last night, in between sobs, I considered searching for another job because I'm pretty sure another 30 years in this occupation will leave me cynical, single, and crazy. Today, that idea COMPLETELY changed and I wanted to cry because of how PROUD I was of my students. How do they always know when you need a good day? It's kind of amazing really. Their behavior was better, they worked hard, we even got to laugh together a couple of times.
I picked up my students after lunch and I noticed one of my kiddos following me around. I turned and asked him what he needed and he, as proud as ever (and with the biggest, goofiest grin), handed me a bag of Funyuns. "Here, Ms. N...I bought you these as a present! I really like them and I thought you might too." And he continued to wear a grin large enough to split his face in half. It was the sweetest, happiest moment of my whole year (so far)....followed by a GIGANTIC hug that made it even better. What an amazing little boy. I suppose maybe I'm not screwing up their life so badly after all....
Yay for you and that great moment! I too and having a rough start to this school year. For many of the same reasons you seem to describe. Today one of my kiddos presented me with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup-my FAVORITE! And they know this because I seem to work them into lots of math word problems :).
ReplyDeleteLast week was really tough...besides all the stress of teaching, parents, attending meetings...I went to get into my car on Tuesday to go home and checked my messages. I learned that a dear family member had died over the weekend.I was devastated but managed to make it through a tough week because my kids kept lifting my spirits. That day I kept getting random hugs from my kids and this was before I knew what had happened. The next day a student brought in a special gift for me. My whole room is decked out in Harry Potter. She made me a little bag filled with magical rocks and she had stitched the word Hogsmeade on the front. I just hugged her and asked her how did you know I needed that today. Isn't it funny how they always seem to know even when we don't say anything. I say little angels watching out from above!
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog and am really enjoying it. Your last comment in this post made me laugh so hard. I've taught for 15 years and every year there are many days I wonder if what I am doing is really making a difference or if I am just screwing up their lives. I've learned kids are human too and when they figure out your just a person with a lot a love that is doing the best she can by them, they really respect that. Thanks for the blog! I'm really enjoying it.
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