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There is no further confirmation that you're doing what you need to be doing than children's comments and actions. I was "mauled" by arms and hands as the the final minutes of school drifted away. I sat in the circle with a little tote bag with "Miss F" and my students' names scrawled across it. It was stuffed with teacher goodies that they got themselves (well, their parents). In their special number order, they went around and said what they wanted to thank me for. Yeah, any warm-blooded person would get all teary listening to it.
At that moment, I prayed that these kids wouldn't let the world change their generous and loving spirits. That their self-esteems wouldn't plummet when they get to 4th grade (or even 3rd grade). That they continue to smile and work hard through the difficult times. That they reach their potential. That they know that they are loved and wanted (despite the fact that they make you want to pull out your hair some days).
To hear that a child thanks you for your "awesome" choice of read-aloud books (something that is very dear to your heart in the first place) or just talking to them at recess sends your heart a-swellin'. To think that you helped that individual in some way or impressed a memory on them for the rest of their lives forces a kind of humility into your being.
You find purpose in the smiles of seven year olds. You find joy in the ah-ha moments lit up on their faces. You invest yourself in these young lives, financially and emotionally. These are the kids who will grow up to become our doctors, lawyers, salespeople, presidents, teachers, the list is endless... I can't wait to hear whom they might be in the next 10 years.
This is where I will make a difference. This is how I can change my corner of the world.
I wonder what September will bring. A whole new class of potential. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm going to LOVE my vacation over the next few months because heck, I need it... but I'm also really looking forward to my very own classroom when the leaves start changing again.
- Miss Chelsea :)
After much mental deliberation, I have accepted the job with PPS. I will be moving back home to teach at the end of the summer! It's the right decision, and with each day, I get more and more excited for what's to come. I have been contacting the principals of the schools at which I want to work (and praying that they want me enough to have me at their school), and I have interviews in the works for when I visit home. This kind of situation is such a rare one. Most teachers don't find out about jobs until late June-July. Miss EB and the rest of my GS folk are going through that now... the same situation I THOUGHT I was going to be in, especially with my rough semester. I definitely thank God for not working last minute with me on this one.
It's going to be really hard to leave here because of so many things, particularly my friends... but I suppose I'm more at ease with it since all my good friends live far away, and I'm used to that kind of friendship.
On the upside, I'm going to have a lot more support in VA than here in MA. Financially, emotionally, educationally... it's going to be a tough year, but I can do it. :)
GS-related note... I'm still trying to finish up my inquiry project, reflection portfolio, and everything else... but I was given extensions since GS is making me do a third takeover week (which I'm in now--- 3 more days to go).
Everything else is going well and crazy. Kids are insanely bouncing off the walls at times because it's almost June, and so I've had to implement "strikes" to try to focus them. It's working since they lose a recess if they get three strikes. (Sure, I'd pay in the end for not giving them a recess... but it's the price I'm willing to pay for good behavior!!) I also have been putting individual names on the board if they lose 5 minutes of recess due to excessive talking at inappropriate times or being generally disruptive. Seems to be working and helps keep them accountable.
N screamed at me on Friday when I let one of the kids at the "5 minutes off" table go join the rest of recess. He had been twirling around on top of the table and talking to other kids. To me, he was showing me that he didn't understand why he was there and he didn't take it seriously. (M had been sitting there quietly with his hands clasped... now, I didn't ask for the hands clasped, but he did show me that he had respect and that means a lot. Bless his heart.)When I told N, "I'm not trying to punish you, I'm trying to show you that your actions have consequences. Do you understand that?", he was like "NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I was taken aback and my CT gave him an annoyed look. We just ignored him and let him stew. He's a tough cookie and thinks he can get what he wants. Sadly, recess is the only thing that affects him. :( After recess, he started talking to me again, and I asked if we'll have a better day on Monday. He nodded. We'll see about that one. lol
Kids have also started asking me when my last day is (I think my CT sent out an email about it because I was getting a whole lot of comments about it earlier this week). It's Wednesday, May 16th... and it'll be sad... I'm getting tons of hugs which are always nice. I LOVE SECOND GRADE! :) They are obsessed with fun pencils, so I got each of them a pencil and put a little tag on it with "I'll miss you! Love, Miss F :)"... and I got my CT some things. It's kind of exciting. :) I can't wait to give them it all!
- Miss Chelsea :)
