Progress...

Last week, I got a new kiddo.

This, in and of itself, is no big deal. However, the way he was presented to me, the warnings I had been given, had me on my guard. And, it was true, he was a challenge, still is.

However, today, I made sure to stay on top of things. Every time he did as he should, he got a stick on his chart. I praised him. I reminded him of the behavior I wanted. My expectations were told to all.

I did not have to keep on him about sitting still and listening. Yes, a few times, but not constant, as is the routine so far. As the day progressed, I kept at it and at it. I kept waiting for him to give me trouble, but silently accepted the lack of it. Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

Yes, another teacher had spoken to him first thing in the morning, but mornings are often fine. It's the afternoons when I feel he tests my patience.

At the end of the day, he's putting his last sticker on his chart and I say to him, "Look how amazing you've been ALL DAY! Now, you get a prize box."

His look was priceless. What I wouldn't do to have that moment again and capture it on camera.

"Prize box?! For me?"

"Yes, baby. For superb behavior. For working hard ALL day."

As he left my classroom, I said to him, "Let's do this again tomorrow. Ok? I want to be able to give you another prize from the prize box tomorrow when it's the end of the day. Ok? You want that?"

He nodded, "yes!"

I smiled and said, "Good. You work as hard tomorrow as you have today and it's yours."

He stepped out... then stepped back and HUGGED me.

.... And not briefly. It was a long, tight hug. I could feel his appreciation. I could tell he was as happy as I at this. At HIS progress today.

Tomorrow may be another day. He may just go back to what is easiest for him.

But for today, I'll take this as the amazing day it was.

In the beginning...

I don't know, really, when I decided that 2nd grade would be the grade to teach. But, I put it in my head that there were all these great reasons for why it was and it stuck. I know it happened some time after 2001, when I went back to college. I had this notion that teaching the grade BEFORE 3rd meant no pressure for the STAAR testing that 3rd and 4th grade teachers have to deal with. Or, at least, I thought there was no pressure for the grades below 3rd. I had no idea, really, what I was talking about. I thought I did, but I didn't.

I've spent most of my life teaching, one way or another. As a little kid, I played 'school' all the time. I was the teacher, teaching my stuffed animals and Barbie dolls or my friends. Sometimes, I taught my little brother. I loved doing homework. School came so easy for me that, other than reports, I enjoyed spending time at school, pretending to be the teacher, and making up homework for myself.

College was fun. I enjoyed meeting professors, new friends, and learning new things. For as long as I can remember, I have had a love of school and learning and it's never dwindled. No matter how hard or stressed classes become, I thrive and love the experience.

I think I've always wanted to share that passion with others and it boggles me that some people hate school. Perhaps, I want them to know school doesn't have to be hard or boring or a chore.

In 2014, I was finally hired to be a real teacher. And by real, I mean official. Paid to teach. Full time.

However, I did not count on certain things, things they do not tell you about in college or while taking certification course. Nor do other teachers tell you as you go through your courses what other things you need to deal with.

They make sure that you know the content for the grade area you want to teach.
They make sure that you know various ways to teach the content.
They make sure you're comfortable standing before the kiddos, teaching.
They give you tons of opportunity to practice being a teacher to the children.

What they don't tell you is about the paperwork. Yes, you think you know. You think you have an idea. Grades, they have to come from somewhere. But what about contacting parents to update them on their children's progress - both positive and negative? What about telling parents when a child is falling behind? Or having behavior issues?

They don't tell you about the requirements of after-school activities and meetings you must attend to help your school function.
... about the required and optional after-school and weekend trainings you need to attend to help become a more efficient teacher.
... about the requirements for the classroom such as having objectives posted, word walls, and so on. Things that change often as the year progresses.
... about the changes needed as students come and go in your room throughout the year.
... about making groups for your kiddos and making time to be with each individual child, not just whole group.
... about the hours spent every day, weekends especially, prepping, planning, thinking about the next day or week...
... about the tests and bubbling and planning...

They also don't tell you about the stress.

Or about the joys. Those moments when a child who has been struggling suddenly gets it.

Or about the way one child in your room will affect you.

Or about the various troubles and joys you will experience.

It's a dynamic job with stress and delights. With field trips, programs, and book fairs.

We often grouse, us teachers, about what we deal with.. about the children and the demands upon our time or from our district and the parents.

But the underlying thing is, we love what we do. We're all carrying a bit of insanity within us that says we love all this stress and we love all this work and the joys and rewards outweigh all the negatives.

No job is perfect. This one sure isn't, but I still can't imagine what else I'd be doing with my life. It's all I've ever done.