Hearts and Sunshine

There are days (as I'm sure you've read) that I really HATE my job! But rarely does it have anything to do with my students. Usually it's grown up stupidity that gets me upset. But today was a different story, it was a GREAT day, despite the fact that I did have a fight in my class today.

I realize that I AM a good teacher and sometimes, I do make a difference, however small it may be. I actually got to teach today (novel idea) and in reflecting on how much my students (even the most difficult) have grown this year, put a little smile on my face.

I turned students, who came to me with having very little math last year, (thanks to our superintendent's initiative) into Math enthusiasts, who are pretty efficient. Today, during Literacy, I was helping a student (we'll call him Shorty) who RARELY enjoys working with words. He was becoming so involved with the lesson and was SO happy that he understood and he was having fun with it.

At one moment during our novel study, I looked up from reading and EVERY SINGLE STUDENT, had their nose buried in the book and was thoroughly enjoying the story. Their hands were raised. They were asking questions, predicting and making great connections from their own lives. It was truly magical!

If only I could take this time on task and transfer it to testing day! Why, oh why, can't I get paid for these great days? Why can't my evaluation as a teacher be based on days like today? Why can't every day be like today?

Now, granted I might be jinxing myself and tomorrow will be hellacious. But really, I think it might be worth it because today, I really made a difference. Tomorrow? Well that's another day!