Teaching is hard. Yeah, I’ve said that a million times
(hyperbole) in these little posts but sometimes even I forget how true it is.
There are so many things that we have to do for the job that sometimes we
forget what the job is about: kids.
Lately things have been a whirlwind of testing, meetings,
observations, and paperwork. Those things don’t matter, though. Not really.
Okay, they matter in terms of staying organized, keeping policy, being
prepared, and, of course, doing your job.
I love kids. I love them in a completely
non-creepy-oh-they’re-so-cute kind of way, all right? Of course, just because
you like kids doesn’t mean you should become a teacher. You become a teacher
because you like kids, learning, and being poor. (HAHAHAHA!)
I’m mostly kidding, I do that a lot. However, I do feel (and
know) that there is more to teaching than just loving kids. Teaching is a
calling. Teaching is not something to be taken lightly. Those who can’t, do not teach. But that calling, that need to make a difference, to
continue your own learning every single day…that is fueled by the kids.
Kids. Are. Awesome.
They are tiny little sponges soaking up the knowledge that
you have to give them. And, hopefully, you’ve got some. Kids are amazing,
resilient little creatures that give you their heart and soul.
Yeah, you. Kids
are the most honest things in all the world. Not only do they tell you
everything that is wrong about you, but they tell you what’s wrong with them.
Sure, it’s not always in a language you understand, but if it were would
teaching be so easy?
Oh, hell no.
The ones that need love the most show us in the most
unloving ways, right? I can’t tell you how true this is. (Literally, I can’t
tell you because I’m sure it’s not allowed or something.) I’ve seen, heard, and
lived through so many situations that are absolutely heartbreaking. Kids these
days go through things that I could never dream of or wish on my worst enemy
(okay, maybe this one person…), but they make it through. They make it through
because of people who care. People (hopefully) like teachers.
Teaching is the best job. It’s the best and the hardest,
because being a superhero is hard! Our capes are nametags and Expo marker
smudges and leftover Peeps in plastic baggies because a kid really likes you. (True story.)
We have to wear our hearts on our sleeves and put on our
mean faces and loud voices sometimes, but that’s just how it is! That’s the
beauty of teaching. You get to be the good guy and the bad guy! The superhero
and the villian! Captain America and the Winter Soldier!
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| Have you seen this yet? You should. And take me with you. |
I might complain about my job: the long hours, the grading,
the chatty kiddos…but I love it. There is not one thing in the world I would
rather be doing. Okay, unless you read my Facebook status this morning about
missing my couch and my books, WHATEVER.
I love my job, and I hope you do, too. I hope you love your
kids even when you’ve got on your angry face, even when you’re using your loud
voice, even when you’re up to your eyeballs in papers to grade. Because if you
love them through all of that, it makes a difference.
You make a difference.
And I like you.
Here’s a fun little kid tidbit from last week:
Boy to girl sitting being him: “Hey, stay away from my butt.
I just farted.”
I hope they always make you smile.
