The One About Teaching

I don't often write about my job on this blog but, since Teacher Appreciation Week is approaching, I thought now would be a great time to mention some thoughts I have on teaching and some things that surprised me about being a teacher.

First, I am surprised to say that I feel so LUCKY to have the job I have! I love my school, my students and everyone I work with! Not many people can say that.

Why am I so surprised? When I first got my credential, I thought for sure I was a future Kindergarten or 2nd grade teacher. Those little guys are so cute! And I knew my soft, sweet style would suit their needs. After a couple years working in elementary, I confirmed one thing: I absolutely was NOT made for and DID NOT want to teach middle school!

But God had a different plan...

When full-time job-time came around, positions were scarce and elementary schools weren't calling - middle schools were. In fact, I ignored 2-3 middle school calls before I finally answered the phone. That last phone call was from the school I work at now. In middle school I was worried that this would have to be my motto:

But the truth is - middle schoolers aren't scary. They are actually pretty cool. {Shhh, don't tell them I said that!} ;-) After one year teaching middle school I knew one thing -- I was made for and loved middle school! My style, my management, my jokes -- all made for middle school. Who knew? {Well, my Master Teachers would say THEY knew.} ;-)

I'm now a middle school English teacher.

I was also surprised how challenged I would be every day - in the best ways! In my class we get to have amazing discussions, be sarcastic {sometimes}, work hard, be real, learn about each other and life, challenge ourselves and have fun {sometimes} :)

 Some signs I use around my classroom to motivate my students {and myself} are:

{All of these quotes I downloaded from this awesome website!}

And every day I want my students to feel like this:

{ShabbyBlog button}

But teaching isn't always fun posters and cute classrooms. It's a lot of real life.

And sometimes I feel like this:

{Source}

but I always want to remember this philosophy:

{Source}

I really like this poster. We just can't expect every student to fit in the same little box. And it is a challenge every day to figure out just how to make each kid shine. It is equally hard to see a smart student make bad choices. Or a struggling student think they're not capable. It is hard sometimes to find the right words to say to build them up, since those words are different for every child. But we try. Being a parent, I hope, has made me a better teacher. When a student has a bad day, I think, 'how would I want a teacher to react if this was my  son or daughter?" and I respond that way.

I was also surprised at the variety of issues I would have to 
handle - including more than just the problems 
of not finishing homework or not doing well on the test.

Some of my students come into my classroom with A LOT of real life happening and a lot of REAL problems...

Like the student who stayed after class every day to ask questions and talk, only to eventually share that their mother was just given months to live. And sharing in tears when we found out she passed away...

Like the student who got good grades and came to class with a smile on their face every day
and yet, inside, their body was fighting cancer...

Like the "must place" student who had to be assigned to our class, even if the classroom was full, because they were homeless...

{Barn Owl Primitives}

I have witnessed some amazing teachers throughout 
my 9 years in the classroom.

Teachers who have picked up elementary students to take them to school in the rain, because they knew those students walked and if it rained they wouldn't be able to come to school.

Teachers who work through every one of their breaks and lunch to help struggling students.

Teachers who bought morning snacks every day for a student
because they knew they didn't eat breakfast. 

Teachers who paid the field trip fee out of their own pocket for students they knew couldn't afford it.

I am humbled every day to know that teachers like this exist. 

In May, my students will take a national test that CA state and my district will use to measure whether or not they were successful in my classroom this year. I know that most of my students will do pretty well on the test and I'm excited to see the results.

However, I also know that success 
can't always be measured by a test.

And that, for some students, a successful year means they found a place to live.

A successful year means they made it through their first school year without their mother.

A successful year means they beat cancer.

No test can measure or replace that level of success.

And no credential program can prepare you for that kind of support.
It has to be in you, or grow in you. And I am blessed to be surround by teachers that inspire me to be this kind of better, every single day.

As you read this post, I hope it made you think of a teacher you had or your children have that you can appreciate. And when Teacher Appreciation Week rolls around, I hope you take the time to say

"Thank You!"

12.14.2012: Nothing could have prepared us for December 14th. As a parent and a teacher, our world was shaken. This year in Sandy Hook, having a successful year takes on a whole new meaning. I would like to take the time on this post to remember the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School, it's children and the amazing teachers who gave their lives in the protection of their students. God Bless. xo

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13 NIV)

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 

to all the amazing teachers out there. xo

 “If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.” (Romans 12:7 NLT)

Linking up here; The Foley Fam; Tidy Mom and tatertots and jello