Thanks, freddo, for reminding me that I should be proud of myself. Yes, I did get away from jwland and I did manage to finish college. I really wish the same for everyone else on this forum, too!
Smiddy, that means a lot to me that you still remember the teacher that you credit for your success. It's what teachers hope for when they start teaching. Then it gets hard when you realize that you also have to be parent, nurse, psychologist, security expert, etc. But, you truly do hope that something you teach will get through to them and stick with them for a lifetime!
My kids are in third grade which means 8 years old and turning 9 through the school year. It truly is the year where they come in as babies and leave as big kids with individual variations. Some of them need hugs and love and others are already roughed up by the streets and need me to assert my dominance. (The streets don't matter in my classroom; I'm in charge.) So, I have to say things as varied as:
"Good morning, pumpkin? How are you this morning? Ready to learn?"
"You look tired this morning. Did that new baby wake you up last night?"
"Oh, you look like you don't feel well, sweetheart. Here, let me check your forehead to see if it's hot."
"Oh, no, no, no. I know he made you angry, but you cannot get out of your seat and go challenge him to his face in my classroom."
"The custodian has had complaints about the condition of the Boys bathroom. If you're 8 years old and don't know how to operate a toilet or urinal, please see me after class!"
"I was so excited when I graded your papers. You all did very well!"
"Thank you for standing so quietly in line, everyone. We are setting a great example when we walk past kindergarten!"
"If you waste my time by talking in class so I can't teach, then I am taking it back during recess. The timer starts now."
"You may not act that way in my class. You may not kick chairs and desks and scream at people. I'm calling the office. You have to leave."
"Have you taken your medicine this morning?"
"I am so sorry that happened to you, hon. I'll see if you can go talk to the counselor."
"You may think you are in charge here, but you are not. Period. Whose name is on that door? Welcome to my house!"
"Since you think you're so funny, I'm going to email Grandma right now and share that with her. Would you like that?"
"John, come here. Your father is on the phone. He told me to call him if you ever acted up again."
"The new chapter books are here! You may check them out from my library cart. Who wants to be librarian?"
"You guys make me so proud! The music teacher told me our class is the best behaved in the whole 3rd grade!"
And that is the schizophrenic life of a teacher in a high-poverty urban school. Never easy. Never uneventful. Always got to be on your toes!
Paid every other week, with fewer zeros on the end than I would prefer!
