I Love Teaching

Every morning I force myself to move my feet from my warm bed and onto the ice cold tile floor. I quickly run to the bathroom where I jump into the super hot shower. I quickly get ready, feed the dogs, and make my lunch which I put in a froggy lunchbox and quickly rush out the door.
(Where else can you take your lunch in a googly eyed lunch box and not get laughed at?)

Except I am not rushing to work alone. My husband is driving the car as we go to work together. Once I get to work I am greeted by a wonderful staff. They all smile and say good morning to me, even though we are all still tired and waking up.

And then if I am still upset about having to get out of bed my anger quickly melts away as 20 eager kindergarteners great me with the biggest smile and often a hug. It is late enough in the year that they are all so responsible and independent. They come in the door, unpack their bags, bring me lunch money, and get right to work! I get to spend the morning singing songs, reading words, playing with puppets, and watching students as they grow day and day in reading. It is amazing what students who knew 3 letters at the beginning are now reading!

Then, just as my spirits begin to fall and I get a little grumpy (I am grumpy when I am hungry) we go to lunch. Why is lunch special? It's not because I finally get a break, it's because my class is so loving. Most of my student's give me a hug as the walk into the cafeteria. I don't know how this tradition started, but most of them do it. It amazes me how even the most "grown up" students will break their shell and ask for a hug.

This just makes me remember why it is I teach! When you are having the worst day, all you need is a smiling group of five year olds! They are so eager to learn and always want to try their best. Now if only the government would realize this. These kinds of relationships and successes won't be possible if the districts raise the class sizes. Things like this won't happen if there are 30 kinders instead of 20. Not to mention the big possibility that I won't have a job due to closing of schools in the district. I really feel bad for those who have kids in the public schools. The teachers are trying so hard to give the students what they need, but the district only worries about money not the kids. It is a sad world in education.