I've been trying to write how I feel about my first year of teaching. It's impossible. There are too many stories to type and too many memories that made it _________ (insert any emotion you can think of). I had no idea how much of yourself you give to your students as a teacher. I had to be my best everyday. I had to have hard/awkward conversations with parents and students. I had to help students through rough situations. My students trusted me with their challenges and secrets (for some reason, many of my students told me who they liked. Ha, do you remember telling your TEACHER who you LIKED?! I never did!)
I could wrap this all up by saying I had a fantastic year. Of course there were nightly cries the first few months, but at some point I started feeling more comfortable and I was really able to enjoy the ride. I had some strange cookies in my class, but I loved every single one of them--and they knew it.
Choosing to teach was one of the best decisions I have made. I learned so much from the kids and teachers I worked with. On the last day of school, my students begged, "Please don't cry! It's so awkward when the teachers cry!" So I didn't... until they all left. I wanted them to come back on Monday and greet me with a million good mornings. There is nothing like going to work and being attacked by a group of kids wanting to tell you about their weekend. I laughed so hard/much daily. Crack ups. Let me give you an idea why:
I was roaming the room as my students were working on independent work. I turn my head to find a student knitting. What?
"Mrs. Smith, if I seem a little tired it's because I was chased by 50 girls this morning before school started."
A boy ate a grasshopper.
Here and here.
Love those kids.
