As the days go by, so do my Amazon arrivals. A box of this and a bag of that. A beautiful classroom takes work and $$$. Consider this. All five of us brand new teachers have donated all our hours from August 1st until August 10th when our pay began. We will again today, Saturday. That says something about the sacrifice teachers make every year. Multiply that by millions of American teachers. It’s all donated for love for our students and our profession.
I was a bit disappointed the other day when a man I really respect was poking fun at my school. Being a “city” school in a economically depressed little town, he was laughing because some of the teachers were stolen by a bigger school district to the West. Just like the Wicked Witch of the West, evil magic had lured away primary teachers for better pay and signing bonuses. While speaking with this person, I could feel the disdain in his voice for public schools. I wish this attitude would cease. With the news media on fire against public schools, it seems to worsen every day.
I’m going to spread the message that needs hearing. Every single retiree should run, not walk, to their local school and volunteer in some capacity. From being a crossing guard, to a lunch aide, to in-room support, volunteers are needed. Then, after volunteering, you need to spread the word about the very wonderful things being taught to our littles. Things that were taught to you in your own grade school experience. These should be aired on television. Stories about kindness, courage, respect, and school loyalty. Goodness comes from school rooms. If someone sees differently, they need to get involved to fix the problem. That is why they are called PUBLIC schools.
Your teachers are neighbors. They sing in church next to you. They quietly provide for the students that need help. They give countless hours of their time at home, preparing for the next day. They lose some sleep each week thinking of new ways to help Johnny and Jane do better. No one talks about that.
Principals are at the front line of the battle. Send them flowers. Support them. Support every single school employee, because, they keep our kids happy, healthy, and safe.
Whew, I feel better now.
This year, it’s my mission to find at least five adult volunteers for my school. Not just for my classroom, but for the school. Five adults that will help the staff and kids have a wonderful year, while finding out that our elementary school is a fun place to hang out. Honorary Eagle Grandparents. Fingerprinting is necessary. A smile and good attitude are mandatory. Can’t get there? Volunteer at home. There’s plenty of prep work to go around. As this blog is read in 50 states now, this should start a little movement across the US.
Last Saturday, I found it necessary to find my co-teacher at school. I knew she would be there, yet, without a phone number or way to contact her, I had no way to confirm it. It was the first day I needed to open the double gate with my gate key, drive through, and lock it behind me. With no sign of any other teachers there, I’d just drop off a few things and go back home. It’d been worth a try.
To drive to my outside door, I need to travel through a maze of “Oh Goodness, I hope I don’t hit this or that”. Teachers love putting their car by their door instead of countless trips with a rolling cart to the parking lot. After missing all the obstacles by the cafeteria and rounding the back of the 4th grade wing, the treacherous part begins. The GRAVEL. I’ve been told three times that I’ll get stuck if I don’t have 4-wheel-drive. Thank goodness, Barbie’s Jeep came with that and I know how to engage it. Whew.
Over the gravel,
And threw the courts,
To Room 56 I go.
Quite a trek, even in a vehicle. There was no familiar car outside my neighbor’s classroom, and I will say, I was a little deflated. She’s just the sweetest gal. Her smile and twinkling eyes make everything better! Consistently, she shines and her positivity is infectious.
Entering my classroom is like breathing for me now. I really wish I could sleep there. It’s adorable in every way, but especially with the mural with six galloping mustangs under a soaring Golden Eagle. I looked in the hallway for an interesting cast offs. All of a sudden, my neighbor popped out of her room!!!!! She WAS there!!!! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Just like a new 1st grader, I was showing her about possible block schedule plans. She told me of a Monday morning meeting at 10. We exchanged phone numbers and contact information. I told her about “Adopting a Cow” and she was so excited we almost danced in delight.
I stapled up some silk sunflowers on my “Welcome to our Hive” bulletin board. I plan do a picture blog next week to reveal the most beautiful room in the world. Room 56.
To the world, I say this. School is such a positive place. I doubt many news pony-tails would make it one day in a classroom with 20 littles. They’d run to the parking lot crying with a broken heel and smudged makeup. The focus at my school this year is positive relationships and rock-solid teaching. Very simply. That is our mission. To teach our littles to read, write, and manipulate numbers. If you think differently, please, come. I need volunteers.
More tomorrow.