I am thankful every day that I have had the past year at home with my children, and while I'd love for this to be a permanent position, I knew when I took the leave of absence that I would be returning to teaching next school year. Today reminded me of exactly what I love (and miss) most about teaching.
*Here's my disclaimer: I know what I'm supposed to love are the beautiful light bulb moments that children experience when something just clicks and they "get it," and I do LOVE those moments, but the following are my favorite moments.**
My favorite thing about teaching is what the children say. To each other. To me. Even to themselves. A little humor makes everything better.
As you know, I've been doing some reading tutoring one day a week since January and I love it! It's prompted me to take my reading praxis (which I passed...woohoo!) so I can possibly teach Title I reading next year. These are a few of the comments I heard just today:
(I'll refer to myself as Mrs. Belle)
"Mrs. Belle, you got new glasses! Does that mean you're smarter now?"
"Mrs. Belle, does this shirt look good with my jeans?"
"Yes."
"Thank you. I think it would look better with my shorty pink shorts but my mama said I wasn't leaving the house wearing those things."
(I bet mama was right...no shorty shorts needed at school.)
"I want to be an army man."
"Why?"
"Because I like loud sounds and shootin'. I want to be in the war to shoot those scary wild animals."
(Bless that he thinks war is against animals.)
"Mrs. Belle, is it fun in here?"
"Yes, I hope so. Why do you ask?"
"Because Annaya said it would be fun, and I'm just wondering when that will start."
(Bored much?)
These comments that brighten my day, make me laugh, and often times correctly critique my teaching are what I love most!
ha ha! That was one of my favorite things when I was student teaching too!
ReplyDeleteThat is precious... If only everyone had the innocent honesty of a child :)
ReplyDeleteOut of the mouths of babes! Loved this!!!
ReplyDeleteBahahahaha....that last one was ha-larious....is it fun in here? that is funny!! Kids say the funniest things....makes ya laugh right out loud!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Summer :0)
oh the joys of working with little ones. :) love their crazy ideas but at this time of year, I'm ready for them to get the heck outta dodge! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true! Gosh, they are cute! I love these kinds of things...(and hey, even my high-schoolers say things like that last one!)
ReplyDeletegotta love the love of teachers! can't wait to hear more stories!
ReplyDeleteYou have an award on my blog, deary! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you post more stories like this!
ReplyDeleteThink about this conversation...
ReplyDeleteStudent: "My nana changed her name."
Me: "Really, to what?"
Student: "Nana."
Me: "What did you used to call her?"
Student: "Nana PooPoo but she said we can't call her that anymore."
Me: "I want you to think about that."
Elapsed time...
Student: "Oh!"
Who says we don't teach them critical thinking?