Yep - got a new student on Thursday...another boy. I'm now at 17 boys and 5 girls. My newest student is a sweet boy, who has the potential to be a handful, I can already tell. His mischievous grin gives him away. He is smart and right on track with the rest of my first graders, which is a very pleasant surprise. So - after reconfiguring my room a bit to make things look and flow better - I think I am ready for a new week. This quarter is flying by. We're already at mid-term. Wow! My babies are almost 2nd graders.
This week was really busy and emotional. Fighting to do what's right for ones students has always been a passion of mine and when I feel that is threatened, I am like a lioness when it comes to protecting them. I will always stand on the side of what's best for them. I am not a teacher for me, I am a teacher for them and I will always do what I think is right even if it means making an unpopular decision or two. It's one of those things where I would rather take the heat for a decision I've made than put my students in a position of failing or falling short of what I know they are capable of achieving. Sometimes the politics of teaching cloud the reasons we teach. There are days even I need to check myself...my attitude and my thought process, but trust and believe me when I say - I never lose sight of what's best for them.
It's now the weekend...the glorious weekend. A time to recharge, renew and reflect. Some of my favorite things about teaching are the hilarious things my students say and the sweet things they do. I wish I could just audio tape a day and edit together a string of funnies for you all. Out of the blue, someone will say something that is hilarious or made funnier by its context. "Ms. Eklund - D's a vampire." Imagine D sitting at his desk, lips pulled back showing his teeth. Ok - he looked more like a rabid dog, but....I'll give him 'vampire' instead. Stuff like that....funny! Also, this week I had a student bring me a present. It was wrapped in a piece of spiral notebook paper...and inside was a nice, brand new pencil. It was so sweet! "Ms. Eklund - I brought this for you." he said with a big grin. It was absolutely adorable and he was so honored when I sharpened it and began to use it. Such a sweet, sweet boy!
Do I miss making money? Yes - because as a teacher - financial security will never happen. BUT - in no other profession will I get 'vampires' and presents wrapped in spiral notebook paper. ;) or gently used LOVE erasers wrapped in silver thread...and Oregon teddy bears....or hand drawn pictures....or first grade hugs. Nope, I wouldn't trade this for anything.
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