7 More Weeks!

33 Days to be exact (not including the weekends)...not that anyone is counting. Ok, everyone is counting; students, parents, and teachers alike and probably all for different reasons. And when you are a parent/teacher you are counting doubly, like a couple times a day just to make sure you didn't miscount.  Some parents are counting with apprehension wondering how they will juggle the new summer schedule with their work load, some are counting with joyful anticipation knowing soon they will finally have a more flexible schedule and won't have to pack lunches every day.  I count with a giddy and impatient fervor. With the joy of a parent whose schedule will be freed up to live at our own pace, and begin a summer of new experiences.

I am so blessed to work where I do. To have the same days on and off as my kids (with the exception of Sam) and to be able to enjoy the summer almost as a kid does. I am blessed to work with three nuns who have dedicated their whole lives to the Catholic education of children and who care about them as though they were their own. Three nuns who I am proud to call my dear friends. I am blessed to be able to attend daily Mass and to have my children receive the sacraments with me.

It's easy to get caught up in the tedium of our day to day work and long for the weekend or spring break or summer, but the truth is I have it made. I have to stop every now and then and remind myself of that fact. We went back to school today after a ten day break and even though it was hard (boy was it hard!!) to get out of bed at the crack of dawn, it was great to see my students again and my fellow teachers. In each of them, however, I could sense excitement that we are in the final stretch.

A highlight of my day came when I first got to my classroom and the older sister of one of my First Graders brought me a sugar-free vanilla latte, on it she had written with a Sharpie, '7 more weeks!!☺'
Many times prior the same kids' dad had purchased myself and his daughter's teacher a morning coffee and while it's always such a sweet surprise, several times I had to pass it off to our secretary on account of my sugar-free diet....but not today.  I am thankful.

sometimes we do this for our staff meetings ☺

A Miracle Cure

There are a couple bugs going around right now, and as a teacher, I am exposed to all of them. There is the stomach thing; dizziness, weakness, nausea and possible vomiting . Then there is the face thing; sinus pain, stuffiness, and runny eyes and nose. One of my students recently succumbed to the first bug. She was sent home.

By that afternoon, another student seemed to be a victim of the same thing. With a vivid explanation of how he felt, ("My stomach feels like it is moving up to my throat, and I feel really, really weak, even weaker than my baby brother. My head feels spicy and I'm dizzy.") I thought, "Oh great, it's going to go through everyone!" I tried to contact victim #2's parents, even though it was nearing the end of the day. They were unable to come early, so I had him lie down on our reading rug and try to rest.

It turns out is was another student's birthday this day and she brought cupcakes to share with the class.  While the class, excepting sick child #2, were out at P.E., I sat at my desk to enjoy a few moments of silence and prepare for the remaining hours of the school day. #2 had much to say...a LOT to say. Now, I cherish the few minutes in the day where I can sit in peace and not speak to another living soul, but he had so much to talk about. Finally, I had to say, "You know, when I'm as sick as you are, I can never talk as much as you are doing right now...." He seemed to take the hint and rested quietly for a few moments until the bell rang and the rest of class came clambering in.

Upon finishing our afternoon routine it was time to pass out the cupcakes. It was in this moment that I believe I discovered the cure to the stomach bug that is going around. CUPCAKES!! In an instant, that child was off the floor, smiling and cheering with the other students at the prospect of feeding his sweet tooth. Now, I'm no expert, but I believe even scientists haven't come up with a cure that works this fast. It was amazing!

Now, as for the "face thing" going around. I caught it Friday and felt so miserable that I'm pretty sure I caught the 'man' version of it. Not much got done over the weekend, but I'm feeling better now. Here's to good health, everyone!

Whooped by Five Year Olds

The beginning is the most important part of the work. -Plato

 

School began today. I haven't anticipated a new school year this much since I was in school myself...many moons ago! This year I'm going back to school too, not to further my own education, but that of those precious souls just entering their educational journey. I am back to the drawing board with the freshest of the fresh.....Kindergarten.

I have been so busy getting ready for my first year of teaching that the readiness of my own children has suffered. True to my procrastinating self, even though I had an unexpected extra week of summer, I was cramming yesterday to get my classroom finished and food for school lunches purchased. The kids were in bed an hour and thirty minutes later than planned, I was in bed two-and-a-half hours later than desired. But I was ready. Lunches were packed, uniforms ironed and laid out, every last minute item I needed for my classroom was loaded in the van. I had never been more ready for a first day at a new job....or so I thought.

The morning went smooth. We dropped Cecelia (my only child not in school!!) off at my parent's house, and arrived at school exactly when I wanted to. I had, however, wanted to be there before any students arrived but several had beat me to it. I had a schedule written out in my planner. What I didn't plan on was how fresh these youngins would be! In my mind, I think I pictured the Kindergartners I taught last year.... at the end of the last school year. How much they learn and grow in nine months!!

I spent most of the day explaining procedures and rules, practicing coming and going in a group, showing them around the classroom and helping them find the restrooms. They were so eager to learn and dive right into the "fun" stuff. The truth is, they had fun doing pretty much everything, except going to Mass; that was pure torture! Both for them and for me. By the time Mass was over, I was exhausted, but the soothing thought of how much they will grow and learn in a matter of weeks was like aloe to my wounded expectations.

I have seven students. I am an aunt to three of them, mother to one, and most of the others I have witnessed grow from the time they were babies. They all call me Mrs. Stewart, even Isabelle, who thinks that is the most delightful thing ever. She slipped a few times and called me Mom, but I might be a little worried if she hadn't. I am amazed at both how smart they are and how green they are. One boy explained a complicated truth of our faith to me and yet needed help walking directly behind his classmate; another child already knows his multiplication tables (yes, a Kindergartner) but needs help holding his pencil correctly. I love this job! I have found my niche....actually I must give the credit to God. He has placed me where He wants me and gave me pleasure in doing His will.

Here's to a successful 2012-2013 school year!

Gina

When I Grow Up I'm Gonna Be......

"You're beautiful, and nice." This is the comment I look forward to every Monday and Friday when I step into the primary grade's classroom at St. Mary's Academy.

At the beginning of the school year the faculty asked any parents who couldn't pay the full tuition if they could help out with various jobs pertaining to the school. These jobs included yard work, fundraising, organizing a phone tree, cleaning or helping in the classroom. I volunteered to help in the classroom twice a week. I was thrilled to be asked to take over with the Kindergartners on Monday and Friday and was also happy to be able to see my boys throughout the day.

What I didn't expect was the joy I'd feel when I would see one of the little ones experience a breakthrough in learning. When they have a light bulb moment and squeal with excitement at the realization that they are reading! Or when they remembered through the weekend that 9+9=18! I didn't expect to laugh so much when, in all innocence, one would call me Sister, another Teacher, and yet another Mr. Stewart (and in her dialect Misto Stewut).

The Kindergarten through Second graders are all in one room, and from across the room I can see Hunter and Benjamin as they are being taught by Sister Bernardine. When I hear that one or the other is struggling with a certain concept I send them positive thought waves and cheer them on hoping they will tune in.

I have been asked to be the sole Kindergarten teacher next year, which means Mon., Wed., and Fridays I will be at St. Mary's passing on my wealth of knowledge of the ever so important concepts of colors, shapes, letters and patterns. More importantly though, I will be able to help these future adults grasp the concepts of self-esteem, confidence and respect for those around them.

Even on challenging days, when the kids have enough energy to power a Morse Code message to Mars and I'm going on my fourth or fifth cup of coffee, I find strength and companionship in the company of the other teachers. OTHER teachers? That sounds so foreign. Me? A teacher? Yes, that is the path that has been laid for me, and with a happy heart, I intend to follow it.

"My" Kindergartners

Ben reading to the class