Never Ever Dull
With every conversation, I always seem to end with "Never a dull moment"....our lives are rich, complex, and beautiful stories. Join me in laughing about everyday things and appreciating life-bumpy roads and all.
I can see the finish line! Funny. From mid-July to mid-August, I'm all about preparing bulletin boards, creating lessons from Pinterest ideas, collaborating with my most awesome grade level team, and getting those teacher jitters before meeting my students and their families. Then, May hits. I'm dragging my feet. Plop...plop...plop. Just trying to pencil enough lesson ideas that can carry me through the day. Teachers are in "get-it-done-mode". All the testing, final ceremonies, extra programs, and parent conferences are wrapping up our year. I see "the deer in the headlights" look on all the faces of my teachers: the brand new ones and the ones who are more experienced. =) When I slow down and simply exhale, I take in a year's worth of memories I'd never trade. This particular year stretched me in areas that I didn't even know existed. I was given 22 students. Some had "labels". Others didn't. But they all needed to be known and to be loved and taught in their own way. It was a year in which I had to figure out how to reach each child like never before. Some didn't like to be hugged or touched. Some could not make eye contact. Some couldn't keep their hands still for even...one...second. Some never sat in a chair the whole year (I'm not kidding!) .Some could easily name multiplication facts but couldn't name the children in the classroom. Some rarely talked. In the fall, a friend posted the following on her Instagram account. Instead of "Halloween", I wish it said "In life": With Halloween upon us, please keep in mind, a lot of little people will be visiting your home. Be accepting. The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy may have poor fine motor skills. The child who takes forever to pick out one piece of candy may have motor planning issues. The child who does not say trick or treat or thank you may be non-verbal. The child who looks disappointed when they see your bowl might have an allergy. The child who isn't wearing a costume at all might have a sensory issue (SPD) or autism. Be nice. Be patient. It's everyone's Halloween.. The words that grabbed me in the fall? Be accepting. I stretched. Be nice. I stretched some more. Be patient. I stretched until I almost popped. But it's been a good kind of stretching. I'm very proud of these stretch marks and I'll remember this year as the one that made me a much better teacher, friend, and person.
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AuthorFun-loving mom to 4 kids and 1 big puppy. Fifth grade teacher of amazing little people who have never ending things to share with me. Love to discuss Jesus, diy projects, and life. Trying to keep it simple: Love Jesus, love people. Archives
December 2021
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