So I've been away from this blog for waaayyy too long. I had just gotten started, and then I went on a fabulous trip (I have some stories...), and then came home to the mad rush of getting my classroom put back together for year 3 at my awesome school. And I have been neglecting my new favorite hobby for too long. This post is in honor of every single last teacher I have ever had, known, or just simply, that exists.
Teachers get kind of a bad rap--summers off, two weeks at Christmas, fall break, spring break, yadda yadda--but here's the thing--teachers have (pretty close to) the most challenging job on the planet. They're right up there with ICU nurses (total respect), and MAYBE the President. Maybe. I have been saying this since my first three years of teaching in Washington state, during my 8 year teaching hiatus, and now in my (second) third year of teaching, I stand by my opinion. It is ALSO the most REWARDING job, which is why all of these crazy teacher people continue to come back to school year after year. It's kind of addicting. It is a joy to come to work every day to a room full of adorable human beings that tell you they love you. Even when they didn't really listen to a single word you said during your math lesson...
I can't believe my eyes are still open at the moment as I sit here typing at 10:00 p.m., but it could be the three Mountain Dews I have consumed today... Caffeine is a necessary part of my daily routine, and if it were appropriate, I would send a love letter to PepsiCo for the happy drink they have been supplying me with since I was 16. :) My dentist may have other words, but I say, KUDOS TO YOU, PEPSICO. GOD BLESS YOU. (For the record, at this time last night I had just woken up from sitting down "for a second" and ended up sleeping for almost 2 hours...)
A snapshot into my day today: new school year, new routines, new students, still getting into the swing of things. Everything takes a little longer than it will in a few weeks as we are all still learning procedures, etc. I got a new student, so as I am warding off my "old" students (of 3 weeks) to go sit down and do what they KNOW they are supposed to do, and trying to show my new kiddo "the ropes," all of my morning plans got pushed back a smidge. It happens. I can accommodate. I have ways to get it all in. There's more talking than normal, warnings are given, students are popping up, moving around, think: "whack-a-mole." But my new student is getting everything he needs for his new classroom, and I want him to feel welcome. It takes another smidge longer to get the class gathered at the rug for our morning lesson. But I am rocking this lesson--they finally are settled. I'm setting the scene for them to be detectives in their reading--I'm running the Doan Detective Agency and I need them to be my spies in their reading today. (Brilliant) I am just the one in charge, and they are my "minions" (who doesn't love a "Despicable Me" reference?) and I need THEM to find ways the author is showing FRIENDSHIP (they're on the EDGE of their seats!) At this point, I'm 10 minutes behind schedule, but everyone is listening. I'm catching up on time...they're UNDERSTANDING THE DIRECTIONS.
All of a sudden, FIRE DRILL.
I'm pretty sure I hung my head. Because a fire drill means fear of the wasp's nest that has been lurking outside the "fire" door. A fire drill means REALLY loud noises and bright lights. A fire drill means that all of my brilliant lesson plans just flew right out the door with the kids who are fleeing the fake fire and the wasps that I'm fairly certain have been taken care of by our amazing custodial staff. P.S. Did I mention I have a new student in the mix?
You realize that when we got back from the fire drill, no one remembered the aforementioned amazing lesson plan, right? Doan Detective Agency? What is that? What are you talking about, Ms. Doan? Safety first, I suppose...
Needless to say, by lunchtime, I was exhausted. Which brings me back to my earlier homage to MOUNTAIN DEW. Seriously. That stuff is magical. :)
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