Sweet Spots

As I sit in my pajamas, contemplating what to teach tomorrow all the while thinking about my dirty dishes in the kitchen, I can't help but think about some of the sweet spots of this past week. 

You see, I started a new rotation at school on Monday, which means that I have a whole new batch of kids until next week Friday.  This is my second time through the full rotation and I realized today that the first few days of a new rotation are not very kind to my energy levels or the potential success of my lessons.  Despite the joyful greetings and generous hugs that I receive upon welcoming my students into my room after not seeing them for a month, there is a large adjustment period for me and the kids as we remember how to act appropriately towards one another.  

I have learned that one of my weaknesses as a teacher is classroom management.   This is not necessarily because I lack boundaries or authority, rather it is mostly due to the pressing need for every class to be managed differently.  My head is swimming with information as I interact, teach, and redirect each different student at any given time.  Information is constantly sloshing out as new information is simultaneously added to the title wave of facts, observations and strategies that are already crashing around.  I have an abundance of information to keep track of in regards to scheduling alone, let alone classroom dynamics and teaching goals!  But, the sweet spot among all of that chaos is having a student who is naughty for every teacher expect you, walk up to you and  with shy eyes hand you this crumpled note:

Sometimes the best things in life really are free. 

Winter is upon us

Winter is upon us, which doesn't just mean it's time to locate my shovel or dig out my mittens.  It means that my electric blanket has been spread under my covers with care and delight so that I can have another toasty reason to curl into bed each night.   It also means a lot of snow falling at unexpected times, interrupting my once quick commute, reminding me to watch the weather with a little more care and justifying my car radio being set to 102.9, lite fm (Justified of course because there is something about snow that merits continuous Christmas music, even if it isn't even Thanksgiving yet). 

Maybe the best part of all is that winter has allowed me to dig out my collection of cute winter hats so that I can run errands looking fashionable rather than un-showered.  I mean, who really wants to shower on a Saturday?!

Oh Sam!

Remember my puppet co-teacher Sam the Scientist?  He is a lot more popular than I am.   I know this because although most of my students forget my name and just call me "Science", they all know Sam's name.  Not just the short version, no, no, he has never been greeted solely by his first name.   He is, and always will be "Sam the Scientist".   I know Sam is important to my students because I am frequently stopped in the hallway with bewildered looks and desperate questions such as,  "HI SCIENCE! WHERE IS SAM THE SCIENTIST?!"  I usually explain that he gets tired from teaching so he is sleeping.  So far, this has worked like a charm, even to the point where I have the occasional wanderer stop by my room to see if he or she can wake Sam up to say hello.    

Well, a funny thing happened today.   You see, on Thursday I was out of the building for a Science training, so I had a sub.  Normally this wouldn't be that big of a deal but my sub happened to be named Sam.   Can you see where this is going?
Today, one of my students ran through my door and immediately said to me "on Thursday Sam the Scientist CAME TO LIFE!".   I was so shocked I didn't even respond, so the student kept going, "is he still ALIVE?!  He was a tall man and he taught us how to mix things."  Oh yes, the sub.  "No, Sam the Scientist is still a puppet. . . ". 

And this is why I teach special education! 

After much debate. . .

This is the newest picture that I am adding to my living room collection :)

Ambassador of kindness

Have you ever woken up on Tuesday morning and felt like it should be Friday?  Well, it's been of those weeks for me.   Not because my students were extra crazy, or because teachers seemed to have a lot of feedback for me.  No, no, it has been one of "those" weeks because it's conference week.   My heart broke this week because in the process of meeting many of my students parents, I encountered raw vulnerability from the shame that comes from living in poverty and stress which is connected to the awareness that you don't have the time or resources to take care of your special needs child.  I was positive, I was supportive and I tired really hard not to cry, but I'm exhausted.    

Here's the reality: I love having a job that requires a lot of interpersonal skills, wisdom and unsolicited kindness. I am a teacher by title but an ambassador of kindness by deed.  A huge portion of my job is allowing both students and staff to walk through my door carrying whatever emotional junk was handed to them, and choosing to receive them and display kindness to them. 

I may be drained and I've definitely eaten a few too many Peppermint Oreos, but I serve a God who is an Overcomer and when I have no tangible hope left, that is what I cling to.    

A few victories of the day:
-I found a stash of white glue in a storage closet, which I gratefully added to my sparce supplies. 
-I finally, finally read through all of my students medical forms and was able to file them for good. 
-I scheduled a substitute teacher using the online system all by myself. 

I am settling in and learning the ropes one day at a time. 

As a side note, this morning I found Epsom salt in one of my drawers that expired in 2000.   Oh the joys of replacing a retired teacher!