And then my heart smiled

The first week of school went by rather quickly and very smoothly. I wouldn't say better than last year because I already had a kid sign the discipline book but I have him under control. Its just... last years kids were AMAZING! Zero discipline problems really. We had so much fun with labs and activities. We could rap about landforms and not get out of control. Last year was beautiful. Granted, its only been a week, my new ones will grow on me, but I really miss my kiddos. 

On the first day of school I got a visit from pretty much every one of my 120 lovelies from last year which made my heart smile a little LOT. But there was one kid that I was looking forward to seeing the most.  I couldn't stop thinking about him all summer. Would that mentor relationship still be in place over the summer. We came so far last year. Will he continue to grow in his success?  All day I waited and waited to see his precious little face in my doorway. I would stand out in the hallways in between classes scouring the crowd of preteens for my precious little boy. I waited and waited...and didn't see him at all.

I couldn't help but hang my head as I left work that day. Of all the excitement of the first day I was looking forward to seeing him the most! I return home and explain to my roommate my loss. Abra, teaches 7th grade at my school and just so happens to be "Timothy's" teacher this year. She explains his demeanor in class that day and reassures me that the work I had done with him last year is still in place. It lifted me up.

The second day of school was a circus. I was still getting visitors from last year as well as my students from 2 years ago (now 8th graders). I even had students popping in to say hi that I never taught. They were happening so frequently that I would just be at the other end of the room and respond "Hi, Sweetie!" and continue about my task. In between 5th and 6th period is when it happened. Little "Timothy" was standing in my doorway. I almost didn't recognize him without his glasses. He had grown a couple inches. Then an overwhelming feeling came over me. I cant really explain it other than when I saw him standing there...I wanted to cry. I was filled with such overwhelming joy, excitement and love for this kid that my eyes began to well up with tears. I'm assuming this comes pretty close to the feeling I would have for my own child but since I don't have a child this is the first time I have ever felt this.

"'TIMOTHY!' get over here!" I open up my arms. He lights up. He white teeth couldn't have shined brighter against his dark skin. I missed him so much.

"How are you doing?!? You look good!" 

He lowers his head as if something at his feet caught his attention. 

"Fine" I could see he was still smiling.

"Im so happy you stopped by! I missed you kid. Come back and visit anytime. I want to hear about your summer"

"Can I come for lunch tomorrow?"

This was music to my ears. I was trying to hide my excitement the best I could. All I wanted to do was jump up and down.

"Yes! I'll meet you at the front of the cafeteria" 

"Ok"

"See ya tomorrow bub!"

The next day I went to the cafeteria and he is waiting for me. He tells me about his summer, his goals and fears for this year and I sat like a proud mother. His growth from this time last year is astounding, astonishing, incredible...all of the above. I can't wait to see how he grows even more this year as a 7th grader. 

I guess this was a really really long descriptive post about a student who changed me as much as I changed him. No real point to it except to express the love I have for my kids and especially "Timothy"

This love is a mentor, mother kind of love and no other. With all the inappropriate teacher-student relationships that are going around these days I felt I needed to include that disclaimer. 

All in all, first week = success. Ill keep you updated on Timothy. If you want to read his story click here.

A toast to the weekend. Have a good one.

-x- 

la beast

Third First Day

(Photo:weheartit)

First day of school in the morning!

Pray for my kiddos and that I am able to reach them this year.

(If you're into that kinda thing)

Happy Monday!

-x-

labeast

Its that time of year

Its that time. The time of year when everyone starts freaking out. Stressing. out. Creating unnecessary  discomfort. Ligering around aimlessly. Conversations cant be had. Smiles cant be made. Everyone is too focused.  For all you fellow teacher friends, you know what I'm talking about.

 

Its called...

The week before the first day of school. 

I have a few things I'd like to say....

Quit stressing out. 

Because you are making things complicated and Im bothered (how British of me to say bothered)

Breathe. Relax. Chill.

Everything is going to be okay.

Lets just lay on some grass and pretend like there isn't a care in the world.

Or eat some tortilla chips shaped like Texas

thats sure to make anyone's day a 10.

Back to school. Back to school. To prove to dad Im not a fool

I SURVIVED!

Bring in the lifesavers and stop shooting the flares I MADE IT! I managed to stay afloat during my first week of training. In fact I wasn't only treading water I was SWIMMING through the waves with ease and grace. 

I will admit the teacher before me left the class in shambles and the kids have had 4 different teachers in 3 weeks so I knew it wasn't going to be easy.  But as their permanent teacher, I came in and shook things up a bit resulting in some mixed emotions of the students. On the second day I had to keep one class in 3 minutes into their lunch for bad behavior. .....I found a note carved into the side of the table "Ms Terry sucks....die b*tch"  

But by friday I could tell I was getting nicer (not on purpose) because I found some that said "I love Ms Terry" and "Ms Terry rocks"

I think my biggest struggle so far is taking myself seriously. Ha! Everyone in the education world knows that you have to start off strict in order to maintain mental sanity throughout the rest of the school year. Starting off too easy is suicide and along with that comes an array of downward spiraling issues that might never stop (behavioral issues). SO the hardest part for me is being mean. Because honestly I don't really care about a lot of things but I HAVE to the first day. I have to put them in their place and instill a healthy fear into these defiant 12 year olds. 

And I think I have. 

The very first day of school a student was sent to ISS for saying "f you" to one of the aides in my class and we had an EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN- yeah. NOT A DRILL. Of course they dont tell you at the time the reason they just say over the intercom "we are going into an emergency lockdown! Teachers follow the emergency lockdown procedure"

WHAT??!?!?! HOLD ON! I....havent been told about the procedure yet. Hi, this is my first day! WTF? "OK kids go........hide in that corner over there!" "I need to ummmm take roll. STOP TALKING!

I panic trying to take roll IN THE DARK with my cell phone as a light. I then scramble around to find the green card Im supposed to slide under the door. ALL the while my kids are freaking out slash cutting up because they think I cant see them in the dark.

"STOP TALKING! THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER! THIS IS NOT A DRILL WHICH MEANS YOU NEED TO BE QUIET AND LISTEN FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTION!"

this only freaks them out more, which doesnt help anything. The kids start asking questions. 

"Is there someone in the building?" 

"Are they going to come get us?"

"DO THEY HAVE A GUN?" 

"Ohhhh nooooooo! we are going to be shot!"

"NO! ok kids...Don't worry. we are all completely fine. Nothing is going to happen but I do need you all to still understand the seriousness of this lockdown. This was not a drill so the principal needs us to be on our very best behavior and wait QUIETLY and patiently for further instruction. 

and that was my first day of school.......