Children pick up on what adults around them are feeling. Even if a child can't articulate it, they show you with their body language and their behavior.
The holidays can be a crazy and stressful time for many people. This includes our students. Some of them spend time with a different parent or adult guardian. Some are from low income families who are happy to have a meal and lucky to get any presents. Children can get anxiety around the holidays too.
I my goal is to have a positive attitude. My goal is to be Compassionate, Caring and Consistent.
I am an adult. I am a model. I am a professional.
Children benefit the most when adults remember that. Attitude is everything and as adults in the classroom, we set the tone.
We all need to be Compassionate. We don't always know why things are happening or why someone feels a certain way.
We need to be Caring. Our students deserve to feel cared for; unconditionally.
We need to be Consistent. Children won't trust an adult who is up and down. They need to trust that the adults who work with them are reliable. They need to see that you have it together and are present. Even if there is a tornado inside, you can't let it show. They have enough going on. Adult problems are not their problems and they shouldn't know about them. We need to be consistent, they need to know they can count on us to support them.
When we remember these three things, the classroom climate is positive and everyone feels better.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Friday, December 11, 2015
TGIF
Most teachers will agree that this is a challenging time of year to teach. There are many holidays and a lot of excitement . There are also a lot of vacations, concerts, celebrations and other events that interrupt typical routines. In Special Education, I am learning just how challenging these changes can be.
This week, almost all the staff and half my students were sick.
This means there was a lot of missed school and change in routine for many of my students (and myself). Today I came back after being out sick for two days. Two of my three aids were out sick today. Many of my students missed atleast one day this week as well.
Some students struggle more with change than others. One of my students spit in and slapped my face today. Another kicked a ball at me. The others, gave me a hug and were happy to have me back.
There have also been a lot of events lately that add some anxiety and fear. I teach elementary school, but my kids still hear about what is happening in the world. At school, we need to make sure we practice what we would do in emergency situations (this happens regularly, but after an event some students and adults are more sensitive). I must say, even though it messed up some of our schedule, I'm proud of my kids. They handled our drill really well today and transitioned back into their schedules after.
I'm still recovering, I'm not 100% on my game; I have a stash of tissues, a sore throat and a mild headache. I'm tired and I will probably take a nap after I finish this post. I am thankful it's Friday, because my body needs rest. Mentally I feel good (despite being slapped in the face), but physically I'm tired. Being sick and being present and positive in the classroom is really difficult. It takes a lot of work.
Time for some ZzZz's
This week, almost all the staff and half my students were sick.
This means there was a lot of missed school and change in routine for many of my students (and myself). Today I came back after being out sick for two days. Two of my three aids were out sick today. Many of my students missed atleast one day this week as well.
Some students struggle more with change than others. One of my students spit in and slapped my face today. Another kicked a ball at me. The others, gave me a hug and were happy to have me back.
There have also been a lot of events lately that add some anxiety and fear. I teach elementary school, but my kids still hear about what is happening in the world. At school, we need to make sure we practice what we would do in emergency situations (this happens regularly, but after an event some students and adults are more sensitive). I must say, even though it messed up some of our schedule, I'm proud of my kids. They handled our drill really well today and transitioned back into their schedules after.
I'm still recovering, I'm not 100% on my game; I have a stash of tissues, a sore throat and a mild headache. I'm tired and I will probably take a nap after I finish this post. I am thankful it's Friday, because my body needs rest. Mentally I feel good (despite being slapped in the face), but physically I'm tired. Being sick and being present and positive in the classroom is really difficult. It takes a lot of work.
Time for some ZzZz's
Friday, December 4, 2015
Sometimes you need to cry
Today was a rough day. It wasn't a behavior day, most of my students were great. But, it was rough and I broke down. Teachers care about their students. That isn't new.
When you have a student who has a medical condition, you care more. They amaze you with how brave they are. They frighten you when something is wrong and you think about them and their families constantly. I have one of these students this year. A sweet student who is more brave than I could ever be. Today was a rough day. This student had a rough day at school and then had to be taken to the hospital. It scared me. I cried and then cried again. I tried to be strong with my other students, but they knew I was worried. One of them cried too.
You get attached to your students, you care about them. It hurts you when they aren't okay. Sometimes you just need to cry, because there isn't anything else left to do. There isn't anything else you can do.
When you have a student who has a medical condition, you care more. They amaze you with how brave they are. They frighten you when something is wrong and you think about them and their families constantly. I have one of these students this year. A sweet student who is more brave than I could ever be. Today was a rough day. This student had a rough day at school and then had to be taken to the hospital. It scared me. I cried and then cried again. I tried to be strong with my other students, but they knew I was worried. One of them cried too.
You get attached to your students, you care about them. It hurts you when they aren't okay. Sometimes you just need to cry, because there isn't anything else left to do. There isn't anything else you can do.
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