When the Stars Align

Sometimes the stars align and it is a great day. 

Today was one of those days. It was the first day that everyone was there since Thanksgiving! I was feeling anxious last night, worrying about all of the different ways the day could turn out. I am glad I didn't let that worry get the best of me, because having a positive attitude to start the day makes a big difference.

A day like today would be great in any class. However, I don't have any class. I'm teaching a special education class with a lot of students who struggle with emotional regulation and behaviors. Today, some of my most challenging students had a PERFECT day! Today was they day we have been dreaming about since August.

My student who had been gone, came back and fell right back into their routines.  This is extremely impressive considering they had  been away so many days and don't usually adapt to change well. All the hard work we did to teach these routines was not for nothing. This student remembered what they needed to do and they did it.

While we were working on math, he accidentally ripped his  box of crayons when he was opening it.  I offered to help him tape it, while I did this he said "Ms. Martel, your amazing teacher." 

This made my heart melt.  They have never said anything like this before. I wanted to cry.

This student struggles with speaking, they usually don't use complete sentences. I was not only touched by what they said, but I was impressed with how they said it.

Today was a win. A victory.

Even if tomorrow is crazy, I know how good it can be and I'm going to keep working towards days like today.

Happy Thursday! 

Also, my student made this cute snowman... I think they should try claymation! 

The "J-Factor"

A few weeks ago, I wrote about wanting to be a Monday teacher and then wrote about attitude. On those same lines, I am thinking about the J-Factor. J stands for Joy. Teach Like a Champion talks about it, Danny Brassell talked about it in Las Vegas, another teacher/blogger known as Elementary Shenanigans posted a picture about it (which I borrowed) and now in my induction program, we are looking at it again. I feel like Joy is coming at me from every direction.

This year, there have been many days where finding joy has been difficult, I won't pretend that it's been easy. One of the reasons I started this blog was because I was struggling and needed an outlet. However, I don't want to dwell on negativity or get burnt out because of it.

I love being a teacher, I find joy in what I do. It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I know it is important, I know it makes a difference. I am changing the world, one student at a time. 

This week (and for the remainder of the year) I am going to work on focusing more on Joy. To start, here are five things I find joy in.

I find Joy in:

1) "ah-ha" moments. I love seeing a student who has been struggling finally find a strategy that works for them. I love seeing the moment where they finally "get it."

2) Students knowing what to do when I am not there. If my class is good for a sub, I know I have done a good job teaching them routines and expectations. Getting positive notes from subs gives me joy.

3) Getting a smile, a hug, a high-five. Just like adults, students show they care in different ways. I find joy in all of them. Even students who are difficult will show you they notice what you do for them, even if it's one smile, one time. 

4) Positive feedback from parents. There will always be one parent that is difficult or that the principal warned you about. I work twice as hard to win them over. Once they know I am on their child's team, that I want what is best for them too they usually come around and can be a strong support. I have a number of parent emails I have kept to look at on a rainy day. When parents notice what you do for their children, it feels good.

5) Play. Making time to play with students; games, recess, gonoodle, ect. All these bring me joy. They also bring my students Joy too. There is joy in having fun together. It builds the classroom community and can make learning more exciting for everyone. 

Attitude makes a difference

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.

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

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.

I want to be a Monday Teacher

This summer when I was at the SDE Las Vegas conference, I saw many inspirational speakers. One was Dr. Danny Brassell. He encouraged us all to be Monday teachers. Teachers who are excited to go to work every day. Teachers who are excited for the new week. He said not to be a Friday teacher, someone only living for the weekend; waiting and wanting to be done with work. The teachers ready to leave before students are even on the buses.

 I want to be a Monday teacher. I do. This year is making it hard. Everyday there is a new challenge, a new obstacle. If it isn't a student challenge, it's a parent or paper work challenge. Some days it's all three. Since the start of school, I've had maybe one day where I didn't feel completely exhausted, where I hadn't struggled in some way.  There have been weeks where I was a Friday teacher.

Next week is  Thanksgiving. This is one of my favorite holidays and always will be. It reminds me of my Puritan heritage, my family traditions and reminds me to be  thankful. I have  an amazing life that I have worked hard for. I know I deserve the happiness  I feel daily. I am thankful for the challenges I have faced this year, because in the end  they are only making me stronger. I will be a better person and better teacher because of them.

I am thankful for my administration, my aids, my fellow teachers. With out all of these supports I wouldn't survive.

I am thankful for my students.

Today was a rough day. Many of them struggled through out the day and some lashed out at me.

As they were leaving, all of them gave me a hug. 

They said good bye, have a good break and I will miss you.
 I will miss them too.
After  those hugs, I know I can keep going.

They know I care and I know they do too. Even when they say they don't. 

I can be a Monday teacher again, I just need to focus on the positives. I need to focus on the love. I need to keep being thankful.

Be an Advocate

As a teacher or parent, it is important to be an advocate for your students or child. When special education students are involved, this is even more important. Special education students, like young children cannot always tell you what they need.

It is important as a person who cares for them to make sure you always have their best interests in mind. Sometimes this requires taking the time to reach out and get more support. A student can't do that for themselves. They need the support of adults who love them and care for them. Sometimes parents are a student's biggest advocates. Sometimes teachers are. In a perfect world, there is a strong team of support wrapped around every student.

If you don't advocate for students, if you don't ask for the supports they need; then students will not get those supports. You might not always get what you want, but sometimes you will. It doesn't mean you are making enemies, it means you are seeking friends and supports. It means if something doesn't sound right or feel right then you do something about it and find others that can help.

Raise your voice. 
Ask for help. 
Seek answers. 
Advocate. 

It can have a huge impact. It might just change a life.