My 6th year of teaching started off with a bang. Hectic lovelyness. 35 kids per class. Autistic kids. Special Ed kids. But I feel right into a routine. I know how to teach, and to teach it well. Yes, my principal still talks to me about getting those test scores up; but 6 years later my reply is always something along these lines:
"With all the chatter in public ed about common core and highest test
scores, I've had just about enough. I'm far from the perfect teacher but I
know that no matter the circumstances or consequences I will always be
a teacher who cares more about her students well being, engagement in
the classroom, making learning fun, and building relationships than I do
about the number of bubbles they circle in correctly on a scantron."
I can say it with confidence, and I can say it to my boss. I am not saying I do not want my kids to do well. Of course I do. But do I care if my test scores have 80% kids proficient compared to the high school who has 89%, hell no. I never will. No one will ever be able to convince me otherwise. It is just not in me. Do well. Have fun. Be responsible. Do your work. Life is too short. It is not worth the student's or the teacher's stress.
And it is with this attitude and the fabulous people I work with that I am loving my 6th year of teaching, and seeing the profession in a whole new light. I picked a profession that has an immense impact on young people; one in which I can teach the mistakes of my past into lessons for them in the future. Where I can teach them to embrace a culture different than their own, speak a new language, and realize that learning can be fun.
My relationship is going 8 months strong, although it feels more like 8 years. In a good way. I have never known a feeling quite like the one of being 100% comfortable with another human being. Comfortable enough to fight and to love. To poke fun and to embrace. To support and disagree. He calls me to make sure his sport jacket looks ok through FACETIME. His cuteness is killing me. He now has a home. He bought a home. That will soon be our home. To grow into. For our family. He bought it with me in mind. For our future. For his future. For our children. He adores kids. And will one day make an incredible father.
As we agree to take one step at a time, because why rush something so perfect from the start, I cannot help but anticipate the excitement ahead. I am living the life I always wanted, with the best friends and family I could ask for, and my best friend, and soul mate right by my side.
Until next time....
ps. I found yoga...my hip is 80% better, I cannot begin to talk about the benefits both physically, mentally and spiritually it is a GAME CHANGER!
No comments:
Post a Comment