My job is to like and care about other people's children. Well it's not really in my job description, but it should be. If you don't like kids and don't have the capacity to care about them, then you should not be a preschool teacher.
I've had the pleasure of working with young children for the better part of my life. I have the best job (if you like kids). Everyday I start my day to enthusiastic hellos, cheers and hugs. I get to listen to the beetles, sing, and do art with them. I get to be silly and myself, everyday. I get to see the world through the eyes of someone experiencing it for the first time, with awe and wonder.
Not all kids are awesome. Some kids have dicks for parents, or just happen to be unempathetic punks. But in my classroom I have a chance to change that. To help that child, to help that parent.
Right now we're about half way through the year and it's amazing how much my kids have changed.
Notice how I said my kids. I love the kids in my class. While they're in my care, they're mine. At least in my heart. When I first started working with kids, at the end of every school year I would cry. It's hard to say goodbye. As the year's passed I got used to it. I'm not necessarily less sad to see them go, but I've accepted it.
Plus because I've worked in the same school for so long, I run into the kids and their parents from time to time. When I do, they greet me warmly. Sometimes with a hug. Always with pictures and updates. Which is wonderful, because I still care about those kids.
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Preschool teachers are the real heroes. I know I couldn't do it.
ReplyDeleteAwww (blush)
DeleteYou are the teacher I always hope the boys have. One time. Once in 12 years with two boys, I had a teacher tell me, "When he's with me, he's mine and in my heart." She was the best teacher ever.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it. it's sad that's not all teachers, but I know what you mean cuz I hope Animal has that kind of teacher too!
DeleteYou awesome teachers really are few and far between. I don't know if it's people getting jaded over time or what, but I've run into some real stinkers.
ReplyDeleteIt can be so many things. It can be very stressful, you can't really make a mistake when a human is at stake. It's not typically well paid and I think a lot of ppl thought it would just "be fun". It really is fun and rewarding, but only if you really love kids and are a ppl person. (I've worked with some stinkers too)
DeleteIt's a wonderful thing you do; I give you a ton of credit. I have friends and a sister in law who are teachers and they tell me stories about the parents. Can't be easy dealing with that aspect of the job. But it's terrific that you're having a positive impact on the kids.
ReplyDeleteYou just have to have a sense of humor about it. Plus there are also some parents that are just awesome. Great parents and who honestly appreciate you. When I run into them, I get a hug and some fun reminiscing.
DeleteI taught high school for about 15 years and I felt the same way about "my kids." But I don't know if I would have the patience for little ones...good for you!
ReplyDeleteI love high school kids too (it's the 6-11 year olds that scare me). Did you teach English? I bet you were a great teacher too!
DeleteI knew I liked you for a reason. I'm a preschool teacher trapped inside a music teacher's degree. Or something like that. HA HA. I'm subbing at the preschool I used to work at. While it's not perfect, I'm really enjoying being back singing and dancing with the kids!
ReplyDeleteHaHaHa! I thought the same thing (liking you for some reason) when I read that you were a pre k teacher ;p Singing and dancing with the kids is a great way to spend the day.
DeleteAwww, you are wonderful! It's so great as a parent to know that you have a preschool teacher who loves your kids.
ReplyDeleteHave I already told you that I nominated you for the Inspiring Blogger Award? If you want to participate, the image and "guidelines" are on my post today. And if not, no biggie! Have a great weekend!
Thanx ans thanx! It's my mission to get to the awards post this weekend as well :) Happy Friday Ms. Trashy!
DeleteA great teacher is a really under-appreciated entity. Only one year in elementary school did my son have a not-so-great teacher and that year was hell...all the rest of his teachers have been fabulous, and it was reflected in his grades and attitude. Keep up the good work, you're making a difference in children's lives!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you and your son have been lucky. I was a lucky kid too, I only had a handful of teachers that weren't very good. When I was in highschool mostly. It was also reflected in my grades because I would cut those classes and maybe do homework. When I liked a teacher I would work hard in there class because I like to learn and I don't like letting ppl I respect down.
DeleteI usually like other people's kids too. It's their parents that bug me...
ReplyDeleteI worked in a day care for awhile a few years back, and the kids were mine there too. The ones that had the worst parents always ended up being my favorite somehow. They were the ones that none of the other employees wanted to deal with. Which was odd, because they were amazing for me! They just wanted a little bit of extra love and attention, which is super easy to give to a bunch of tiny people at once if you have the patience.
Every now and then I'll run into one of them at the library or something, and they'll still run up and hug me, saying "Miss Jenny! How are you?!" while their parents get ready to call 911 because some weird lady is going to try to steal their kid.
lol, it's funny to see an adults expression when they don't know who this person their child/young family member is hugging.
DeleteYou sound like a great teacher. :)