Although this isn’t my student, and my students tested on laptops, this young man’s expression captured our classroom experience yesterday.
Imagine the following.
Being responsible for 20 children, 7 or younger, who test on laptops that cost $300 each. Carefully watching over laptops and children that are the responsibility of parents you do not yet know well (who are not present) hoping no one throws up on, drops, or otherwise damages said equipment. Twenty busy little minds. Forty little hands. Four hundred little fingers. Twenty delicate laptops. Every day for 45 minutes. You get the picture.
STRESSFUL.
THE TEST provides data the district needs and wants sooner than the kids can learn to type their names. It’s from the data that all things flow. Praises and demands. Meetings and conferences. Work and more work. Everything is centered around data. I will say, in this day and age, collecting data is pretty amazing and my kids stepped up to the plate in a big way.
While they were having special time at the library, I had 40 uninterrupted minutes to deliver running computers and headphones to their desks. Starting the test was a breeze, although time consuming. Once the children were at their desk, I’d been pre-warned that they’d push this button or that arrow causing them to exit the test. It’s a long process to return to the program again. I was dreading the next 45 minutes.
Well, let me tell you, my littles showed off their listening skills. Nobody touched nothing. Headphones in place, they sat still and silent while waiting for instructions. Truly, an awe inspiring moment. Another teacher came to help me when I needed it, and even she commented on their attention and behavior. That meant a lot coming from a respected veteran teacher.
During the test, my boys and girls were still, focused, and quiet. As I made laps around the room, not one made a false move or noise. They completed their task perfectly. At 6 and 7 years old. I don’t know that I could have done as well at that age. Of course, there was no data collection at that time in life.
My kids are busy, funny, and so darn sweet. They shoot me hearts from across the room. They are loving The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe as much as I am, following every plot twist and turn. They know if they are not attentive to the story, we can always begin math, and we have a lot of math to get through. They also know how much I love sitting crisscross applesauce on the carpet to share a wonderful story just for them.
Monday is district Teacher Appreciation Day and school is cancelled for the “celebration”. Go figure. In my lifetime, appreciation has been something earned, not given out like gumdrops on Halloween. It’s hard to earn anything in five weeks of school, let alone a reason to be appreciated. Not really time for a party, in my humble opinion.
I have not felt appreciated in ways that count. No, people that are appreciated on a daily basis are treated with care. No one much cared when my room was over 90 degrees for weeks on end. Let’s see. How many district types came to check on us as we were dripping in sweat? Zero. For five weeks. Zero. It will be a meaningless day in which I miss my students and wish we were together. A day that District’s across the US create to make themselves feel good. Miserable idea. The JOB part of teaching, not the JOY of teaching.
Today, the computers will again by glowing as the children are tested in Language Arts. I’m expecting the same wonderful behavior I witnessed yesterday. They will quietly share all they know in the best way they can and then be ready to move on to the next assignment. I teach the best students in the school, even my tough ones. I have the kids to watch.
God got this right, again. For 22 years, HE’s planned my classes. The kids on my roster need things only I can teach them. They provide lessons I still need to learn. I know, Lord, I know. Patience. Acceptance. Forgiveness. Gentleness. Laughter. I need work in these areas. I’ll do my best. Thank goodness my students understand I’m learning, too.
I look around the workspace I have and smile. On this my last year, I have the prettiest room with a huge mural of wild mustangs and the desert mountains I love so much. The walls are the perfect sky blue. My carpet is newer. I have a wall of glass that overlooks an expansive playground. Everything I need is there. Everything is at it was supposed to be.
Whatever you do today, look for blessings and be grateful. Life is beautiful and rich. No matter the circumstances, there is always humor to be found, even on the darkest days. New friendships brighten our worlds, keeping us surrounded by hope and happiness. Be grateful because life is truly beautiful.
More tomorrow.