What I've learned about teaching...

I haven't blogged in forever. But reading Bonnie's post today inspired me.

I'm a teacher. Everyone knows it. It's a huge part of my life. But being married this year has taught me that it's just a job.

That I can be a good teacher and not spend ten hours at work. I can have amazing conversations with my kiddos (like the one I had today with one of my boys about skeletons and just listening to all of his amazing questions) and not spend my entire life at work.

People may find this bad to say, but I've learned that I can't save EVERY kid that walks through my door. That I have to do my best and work with what I have, but  I have to realize that it may not be enough. That I'll drive myself crazy if I stress out about the fact that little Johnny still cannot tell me that RAT and CAT rhyme. That I need to spend just as much times on those kids that could grow if I spent 10 extra minutes with them and that I need to spend time with my ones who just GET it.

Now that's not to say I'm going to brush little Johnny to the side. I still talk to our ESE specialists about strategies and I meet with Mom and Dad to see what we can do to help (that is, if mom and dad care.) But it means I'll stress about things worth stressing about.

I had my formal observation today and I wasn't nervous. I didn't freak out when one of my kids confused erosion and weathering (even though we've talked about it for days). I know that I'm good and I know that my class is learning. I see it when they run up to show me a table of contents they found or they shout out that they know 100+100 is a doubles fact. I see it when I see former students wave hello or let me know about their day.

And that is all that matters. Because at the end of the day, my very important job, is just that.... A JOB.

Thanks for reading this. :)