Mama said there'd be days like this...

...And, this one was a good one!

As promised! The cupcake news is in and they were a HUGE success!

EXHIBIT A – Birthday Girl and teaching partner extraordinaire, one Ms. Carolyn F!

I am lucky enough to really enjoy my job and the people that I work with. I love teaching. Sure, the actual work and the day can be exhausting a lot of the time. You parents know what it’s like with 1, 2 or maybe 4 children to look after. Try working in a classroom full of children who you need to 1. keep on task, 2. teach them something appropriate and 3. inspire and allow them to enjoy themselves enough so that they continue to want to be life long learners. …Now I have your attention.

Teaching is not for sissies.

For those people that say it is different from parenting (or easier - hahaha - I have heard that one before!), I disagree. I have two children of my own and I use many of my “mom skills” at school and many of my “teacher tricks” at home. I know what it is like to be both and I know that my job has differences from being a mom, except that there is an incredible sense of responsibility, even more so, when you are caring for, teaching and looking out for OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN. It’s true that my class may listen to me better than my own do at most times, but there is always that one (or two – or ten!) that have you earning every single penny and then some. Teaching is not unlike parenting in that you are completely in charge of the students who are in your class that school year. I don't take either (teaching or parenting) lightly.

Which brings me back to the party…today’s surprise birthday party was for my good friend and teaching partner Carolyn. Believe it or not, our classes (made up 43 eight year olds), who do everything together, got together on their own and planned her this most amazing surprise birthday party – complete with decorations, food, dancing and music. They first asked me if they could plan the party for her birthday (we keep track of everyone's birthday on our Calendar) and when I agreed and we decided upon a time, they instantly went to work. They had sign-up sheets for duties, called each other to make plans, they sorted out music, made cards, created decorations, bought gifts and rallied their parents to supply food and drinks (for allergy reasons, I offered to bake the cupcakes). The party was WONDERFUL. You really cannot teach the kinds of things I saw happening and that took place. This is something that they will likely remember when they are old, like me, and tell their children about.

We may teach them about harvest and outer space and multiplication and technology and structures and our country…. But, sometimes we just have to stop and think about the days like this, where I gave up complete control and let them organize this special event and watched them cooperate, plan, write, read, problem solve, time manage and ENJOY. And yet, it was probably the most learning and one of the best lessons WE all had.

I love my job.

Love,

Lynda