When it IS Sunshine and Daisies

As a new teacher just getting my toes wet, I've already become accustomed to hearing the negatives about teaching. I'm well acquainted with the woes of standardized testing, public education lawmakers, low funding, and that kid that knows all your buttons and presses them all at once. I think it becomes habit to discuss the frustrating stuff. And we need to. We need to be able to discuss what is darkening our day and talk with other teachers that understand. Just today I was part of a conversation that involved two teachers that cried last night because of the way their kids talked to them in class. One was told a robot would be a better replacement for her. Harsh right?! Teachers need to be able to discuss this stuff together and encourage each other. 

But what about the other days? What about the days you sit in your room and smile for 5 minutes after a kid has left your room understanding a concept they were previously struggling with? What about the days one of your kiddos stops what they're doing and thanks you for being their teacher? What about the days your students are actually using those ridiculous pneumonics you made up for them? Everyone I've ever talked to about teaching has said, at least once, "It's not all sunshine and daisies." But can we talk about the days that actually are?

I look at the teacher burn out rate and it breaks my heart. It is rare for a teacher to teach longer than 5 years these days. Teachers get so worn down and defeated that they don't have the desire or energy to teach anymore. This is disheartening, and we have got to do something about it. I decided the "something" I'm going to do is talk about my sunshine and daisy days. And maybe they won't be full days, maybe they will just be simple moments, but I am determined to focus my energy on those moments.

I was inspired to start this from a conversation I had with a student today. A "sunshine" conversation, if you will. I swear, this kid has never stopped talking from the moment I met him in January. He is a challenge and I am constantly redirecting him. He has easily become one of my favorites; I seem to really connect with the kids that require a little extra effort. Anyway, today, as I was trying to teach my lesson he was roaming around the classroom per his usual. However, he was disrupting the people he walked past by flicking them on the ears or touching them in whatever way he knew would bother them. So, I told him I was about to beat him up if he didn't go back to his table and stop irritating people. I am 5'1". He is at least 5'8". I pose zero threat to this kid, so I proceeded to pretend to beat him up as I corralled him back to his table. I don't even make him sit anymore. He gets his own table which is the perfect height for standing. He loves it. I love it. During the process of throwing fake punches in his direction, he stopped and looked at me. So, I stopped and looked at him inquisitively. He said, "miss, you're my favorite student teacher." I swear my heart melted like butter. I replied with, "well, I better be! Haha", but I'm pretty sure I was beaming the rest of the period. Nothing could penetrate me the rest of the day. 

These are the moments I think teachers should share with each other. These are the moments that spur teachers on. These are the days that make it worth it. So, teacher friends, I encourage you to talk about your sunshine and daisy days. Share them with everyone. Non-teachers think they're sweet and funny, and teachers LOVE it. So, share!

Sincerely,

Miss