Ten Things I've Learned From Teaching

Rowdy in First Grade is hosting a linky party! I have loved reading the lists that have joined the party so far! All of them are soooo true!

Ten Things I Have Learned From Teaching..

1. Sometimes, after that first parent-teacher conference, you get the saying, "You understand the jell-o after meeting the mold" very well!

2. Often, it is impossible to hold in a laugh. No matter how inappropriate the behavior was that caused the giggle.

3. People hold teachers to higher standards when it comes to grammar, spelling, speaking, etc. I know that this should be the case most times but, sometimes you just gotta take off the teaching hat and let loose! I yelled out, "You was robbed!" at my son's baseball game referring to a player that was sooooo safe at home and called out. I did it to lighten the mood and make the player laugh. I got a little slap on the wrist from someone because I was a teacher and used bad grammar. WHATEVER!!

4. Nothing melts my heart more than when the shyest little one in the class finally takes my hand while walking down the hall or tells me, "I love you, Mrs. Hutter!"

5. You can learn a lot about a student from reading their writing journal.

6. It never ceases to amaze me when parents say, "I can't believe you can get him/her to read, follow directions, sit still, behave, etc. They won't do that for me at home." That usually translates into "My child is the boss at our house."

7. You never know exactly how much you influence a child for the rest of their lives. The babies that come into our classroom everyday are only 5 and 6 years old but, even the smallest thing I say can stay with them forever. There are times when I wish I could take back a look I gave or a word I spoke too quickly.

8. It breaks my heart when a former student stops waving their hand off at me or stops getting out of line for a hug when they see me in the hall, lunchroom, etc. Since I teach kindergarten, the crazy waving and hug stealing last while the students are in first grade but by the time they hit third grade, I sometimes get a hand flipped up quickly as an acknowledgment. Although, this never happens with the ones that made me want to beat my head against the wall while they were in my class. Those are the ones that nearly tackle me for attention!

9. My job is FUN!!! It is my hobby, my passion, and I believe I was truly called to teach. I think I would do it even if I didn't get my poor little pitiful paycheck at the end of each month. (My husband wouldn't be too thrilled about that, though!)

10. Nothing beats the feeling of sharing a big "a-ha" moment with a child. The look on their face when he/she realizes that they can do something is PRICELESS!