Whelp, I hate to say it, but I'm exhausted. Actually, no, I don't hate to say it. Like a lot of other teachers out there in the world right about now the kids are feeling antsy. Spring Fever is starting to set in. It only gets worse after they come back from Spring Break because they've tasted the last bit of long term freedom before the school year ends.
I've been pretty discouraged lately. I've had some challenges in my classroom that I continue to struggle with & work on. I've been seeking out my administrator, but we keep missing each other & both of us are heading in opposite directions. I'm constantly on the run getting things taken care of so I'm prepared for class, plus obligations & compliance pieces in addition to the normal everyday tasks a teacher needs to be on top of. So when I have time to seek my admin out, he's doing the same thing.
This is also the time when the kids have to start learning new concepts which can be & are difficult for a good many of students. Which means grades start to fall, it never fails.
Well Friday afternoon as I was leaving school, I saw one of parents on his way to pick up his son. He waved & I waved back. He then began walking toward me, so i walked to meet up with him. He told me he was sorry that he wasn't able to make any of the conferences with his wife due to his work schedule. He then went on to tell me how much he appreciated working with his son, his wife & him & how much his son had changed since the year began.
He continued to say he sees how hard I work with his son & the other kids and that he's now able to see another side to his son's personality, which has helped him have more patience with him at home.
I gotta tell ya, after the past few weeks I've been having, that 20 minute conversation totally made my month. Any validation from your bosses is always nice, since they're the experts in your field, they've been there where we are. But when you get validation & affirmation from a parent that's the best.
Bring on the next 2 weeks, I'm as ready as I can be!!
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Darnee,
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog cause you posted on mine! :) I remember you from KISD! I have added your blog to my reader- your other follower, Kathy Griffin is a DEAR friend of mine! Small world.
As for this post, God puts things like that in our path. He did that because He wanted you to know that you can never know the depth of your reach as a teacher! Keep trucking girl.
Also- did you know I am coming back to KISD? I'll be there this summer doing a Balanced Literacy Institute for 1st and 2nd grade teachers. June 11 and 12! See you then?!
Melissa Leach
www.leachteach.blogspot.com
Melissa, thanks so much for the encouragement! You're truly an inspiration around here. I met Kathy at SDE when she took over your sessions.
DeleteI did the Balanced Literacy Cadre this year so they're getting other teachers to participate this summer, spreading the love around :)
But if you ever have some free minutes here & there let me know would love to chat & bounce some ideas & such. Hopefully you won't get sick again.
Take care!