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!

My spirit is so broken.

The saga continue...


I don't even want to go back to school anymore. The bad part is that with all the "characters" that I have I'm my class this year, it is still bearable. I have hard days because I deal with hard students. That comes with the territory. Every teacher has a hard class, at least one year.


All of this would be ok, but when I bust my ass to give my students, and school 110% and get no gratitude, what's the point. I am a good teacher. I know this and I trust this. But when I received my end of the year evaluation and I am deemed just "at standard", when clearly I go above and beyond everyday. Should this not entitle me an "above standard" status? One would think, but that's not the case in this situation.


Alas, I am just a "standard" teacher, who does "above standard work". I feel that I work harder than most of the teachers at my school , but that's not reflected in my progress evaluation. And due to this, my spirit as a teacher, an educator, and all around good person is completely gone.

My Class Blog

So my students have entered the technological world and have started their own blog. We have been writing our own stories and this is our chance to publish our work. Please check it out and feel free to comment. My students would LOVE IT!

The link is: http://c8beez.blogspot.com

Thanks for your continued support in all of my educational efforts.