The end of the first week back from Christmas break came a little quick. Mostly because I was out sick for 2 days, but also because it seemed like the time flew by. "Oh my, I'm ready for another break," says seasoned vets. But why? Can you really not stand your students? Personally, I find my students, even the youngest, to be some fascinating individuals. I think though many teachers miss out on the opportunity to just talk with their students.
Albeit, I have the luxury of working at a small school. But then, not every student is going to want to talk all the time. "That's what the school psychologist is for," say some. But, why would a kid want to open up more to someone who is almost a stranger?
During breaks, lunch, and after school, I am not the teacher that dashes out the door ready for a break (although I do get a break most days). Instead, I allow my students to come in and ask questions or simply talk.
And, this week was fun. I tried some new things and the kids got excited. Then I got sick so everything didn't go exactly as planned, but I'm looking forward to next week. I hear so often "school shouldn't be fun", and, "kids should be taught that life is not fun, it's serious". I was told that you are lying to them if you teach them that they will never like the work they do. But why does it have to be so? I love my job and don't want to do anything else. Why can't I try to instill that in the hearts of my student?
Life is learning and learning should be experienced. The more the teacher is in to it, the more the students will be. But, are we as teachers just kind of slothing along down a path of scripted curriculum? Everything is so political that many of us can't step outside the box and do new things.
So, I decided to not be so politically correct or "scripted". Sometimes you just have to be spontaneous, just to keep the students guessing a little.
Happy teaching, and learning.
God Bless!