To say this has been hot whirlwind of activity wouldn’t even begin to cover the last few days. Just like that, I know 20 beautiful little children that are skipping towards 2nd grade with me. They are bright, inquisitive, and ready to learn. They listen like they have been doing their best in school forever. They are Nevada at its finest.
In my class, I have a perfect blend of boys and girls. I’ve discovered they love to talk, their not shy, and they adore dancing. They giggle a little while still trying to figure me out. They are beginning readers. They can read Max the Cat, you know.
They KNOW people don’t have eyes in the back of their heads, BUT, they aren’t sure about Mrs. Hurt. She’s a teacher, you know. Teachers are different. They know they need to move so they are not squashed by my Size 11 shoes. They know how to sit crisscross-applesauce. If you don’t understand, don’t worry. You aren’t a 1st grader.
When I asked them to describe their first day in class, they all responded that they were sad. I get that. Sadness is true and deep when you are six and need to leave Mom at a big door. Even more true when Mom is crying. Independence is a tough badge to earn with the first day of First Grade is a milestone. They’re big kids now.
I’ve used my lunch box ice brick to help a child’s bumped kneed. I have wiped tears and hugged away loneliness. I forgot what wonderful hugs 1st graders can give. Just out of nowhere. Hug. “Now, class, we are going to….” Hug. Hug. “What is 1 + 0?” Hug. Hug. Hug. Spontaneous. First Graders are just that. A wonderful pint size package of spontaneity.
It is still desert hot here. We are not allowed to prop open doors for obvious reasons. The bad guys have won, stealing fresh air from children. Our huge, west facing windows do not open. Although tinted very darkly with shades over them, the heat blasts through. The AC is still not working, being an ancient unit. AC parts are so hard to get right now. This is truly a supply chain nightmare. All this is no fault of our amazing Mechanical Marvin. He fixes everything at the drop of a hat. This problem is bigger than me, the school, or even the district. IT ISN’T THAT NO ONE CARES. There’s no blame necessary, as everyone scrambles to make due for now.
This is a life lesson and I am learning from the littles. You dress accordingly. You sweat some and carry on with a smile. Years ago, I would have been a grumpy mess about this, but, as you know, grumpy solves nothing. Children accept what is. Not one of my littles, mind you, has cried about the heat. It is sweltering. Not One. I have learned patience from these kiddos.
Not one of them has complained about anything. They are so happy to be in school. And, this is the reward of it all.
Every story must have drama and mine has plenty. So much so that I continue with the fretful part of my story.
As you all know, I just completed my college class. I could’ve learned from my littles then, as I complained a bushel about the last assignment. I earned a perfect score and got an A, by the way. Glory be!!!
My credential has been locked because I didn’t hadn’t completed this one class. I WAS retired. I was assured that as soon as the State of Nevada received the transcript it would be unlocked. Everything has taken time. The professor had to grade 20 culminating assignments. The University had to process my order for transcripts and then send them. The State of Nevada must process them which is now the biggest snag of all. No sign that has happened and school is now in Week 2.
After 22 years of teaching without one hint of a problem, my career could end because of State bureaucracy. Not overly dramatic. Quite true. The district is in a pickle. They hired a teacher some technical difficulties. I found out the severity of this problem 15 minutes before Back to School Night began, leaving me shaken. My career could be over if this isn’t fixed, and fixed now. I have until October 11th for the State to process this application.
My job performance? Spot on. My relationships with co-workers? Growing every day. Student performance? Outstanding. My happiness level? Through the roof. But. Because of this glitch…. it may turn out to be one of the saddest losses of my life. If I would have had any idea, I would have never applied to a school district that is so desperate for teachers. And no. I’m not working as a long term sub. It’s the full credential, as I was promised by state workers, or nothing.
Cliff hanger, right???
I’m taking the day off from my littles on Monday to travel one hour away to the Mother Ship. Nevada Department of Education. I will sit on my favorite bench and be there right at 8 AM. There, the two little people that told me this would be resolved so quickly will help me, or I’m not leaving. My account will be unlocked, so I can submit my $180 fee, get fingerprinted and get on with my year. Or, I may face devastating news that this won’t be resolved until Christmas, at which point, I will face some heartbreak.
I will need to focus on my coffee cup that says “She believed she could, so she did.” And then, Oliver and I will need to take a very long road trip across the country, or something else wild and free. Sometimes, the best laid plans go awry.
Now, I wait until Monday.
Before then, I have many things to prepare. I need substitute plans and materials for Monday and the rest of the week. Somewhere between now and then, I need to mow the lawn, do the laundry, clean Winterpast, order more on Amazon, and rest.
Life is interesting. God is teaching me patience, and showing me wonder. Each day as I walk the halls of my new school, I pray for our safety and for the goodness of teachers, administration, and kids. I pray for fall to arrive quickly to give us relief from this heat. I pray for more monsoon rains cool us. And I pray that I will be a teacher when my littles walk out the door towards summer.
Enjoy whatever you choose to do today. Find something that makes your heart sing a jaunty little tune. Even in the worst situations, find the lesson you need to learn. For me, its tolerance, patience, and maturity. This will just be the beginning of a great year of stories. I know it. Please pray for great answers on Monday. My students and I are depending on it.
More tomorrow.