Dear Students, Cut Your Teacher Some Slack

           You may not know this--and I don't blame you, because I didn't know it until I started teaching--but your teachers are doing the very best that they can.  Most of my life I've heard people say and said things myself that are really pretty unfair.  I have gotten upset at my teacher for not grading assignments right away.  I've heard people get irritated at teachers for complaining about grading papers.  I've heard kids say that they think a teacher is mean/unfair/too strict etc...But let me tell you, it's time to cut them some slack. 
     Being a teacher is hard.  Standing in front of 7 and 8 year olds who really just want to run around all day long is hard.  Seeing kids just stare into space when you ask them to do something is hard.  Standing on your feet all day and talking loud enough for everyone to hear is hard.  Always knowing what to say when kids ask questions they shouldn't is hard.  Reading elementary school cursive is really hard.  Looking like you're happy 100% of the time is hard. 
     Did you know that a lot of the time your teacher doesn't even have the chance to go to the bathroom? Did you know that your teachers, while you've made them out to be super heroes, are completely human and occasionally make mistakes?  Did you know that your teacher wants to be there for everyone and change everyone's life like John Keating does in the Dead Poets Society and like Mr. Holland in Mr. Hollands Opus?  
    Your teachers were responsible for your start.  Your teacher is the reason that you can read books, and communicate effectively.  They're the reason that you can write.  They could be the reason that you learned discipline or time management.  Your teacher helped you graduate high school, she let you turn in that one paper late, he helped you find some extra credit when you needed it to boost your grade.  All together, they make your education possible. And with all that responsibility they get paid less than they need to support a family.   We all do the best that we can, so cut your teacher some slack. 
Sincerely,     every teacher ever. 

Spread Thin

Today I feel the need to use the term "I'm spreading myself a little thin."  I had all kinds of plans for good posts and what I was going to do for this week and next, but the days really just got away from me and here it is, Friday afternoon and I'm like, "Wasn't it just Monday?"

I'm sitting here at my desk like...

After getting a schedule change job# 1 I think things will settle down a little bit. The semester is also winding down  (There are less than 6 weeks left), it is finally

S P R I N G  B R E A K

and life. is. good.

On that note, I think that it's finally time to gush about my new job!  The job I got is at a school! I'm basically a teachers aid, but I will also be teaching my own groups of reading and math.  Over the past week, I have been doing some scheduling gymnastics to get all trained, go to class, and also go to my other job! But now that I'm done training, it all feels worth it.

As I'm sure most of you know, I'm an educaiton major.  My end goal is to be an elementary school teacher with a fancy teaching license and all that.  I'm between a freshman and sophomore in college so I'm still a little ways from my degree, but I'll get there.  I promise. 

Being in the classroom just makes me feel like it is absolutely what I was meant to do.  It's so natural.  I love dealing with the students and seeing them all just...get it is probably one of the best feelings in the world.  I'm sure that it will come with its major challenges, but right now, I'm going to say...Bring it on. :)