New Class... but same ol' child.

Starting on Monday our classes at school switched around. The short story is that I've moved up to the highest age group in the school and my assistant has her own classroom with most of the kids we had before. She is a certified teacher and amazing so I'm not upset that I lost them. The plan is that the older kids move into my class and stay with me through Kindergarten. I'm excited about it. The first day with the kids was AWESOME! The second day.... yeah it didn't. Why? because I didn't have an assistant today and with a class full of boys and two girls I honestly need the help of an assistant during the times that we're in transition especially since they just moved to my room and they are testing boundaries.

To the guardian that chewed me out because her daughter would have to wait five minutes for lunch today after lunch had already ended and then went to complain about me because I was getting the kids ready for nap and you disapprove of naptime.... you can huff, puff, and try to blow me down as much as you want but my 25 year old butt has more power than you here.

Why?

It is not because I'm simply employed here... it is because I ROCK at my job! I am a fabulous teacher. I have proved that I am there for the kids and nobody else...

• I have parents declining to have their kids moved to the right age group with this newest change because they simply LOVE that their kids are learning from me. I have a 3 1/2 year old in my 4 1/2-5 year old class because that parent loves me because her child is learning and "teaching" the parents what he knows.
• I have great relationships with my parents because I try to go above and beyond to connect to them. I send home newsletters, I send home cool projects, games, and exciting letters. The parents know that I care.
• I'm one of the few teachers that is not running out of the door at 3. My boss must be thanking her lucky stars that she put me as salary because even though I work 7-3 without a lunch... I typically stay up there until 4:30 or 5 either helping out in my class or preparing for the next few days.
• I am given the largest behavior problem children because even though it may take a week or two, I can break them of that behavior because for once at school they feel secure, they know I'm there for THEM, that I LOVE them despite how our day goes. Each and every day is a new day and every time there is a conflict we solve it together, and move on. I forgive, teach them, and then forget it so that we can grow and start off on a new foot.
• I have incorporated new things that no other classroom had done until I showed up.
• I have had a hand in the curriculum that we are building for K-2nd and even though I am new... they are trusting me and listening to me because I research what I'm talking about.
• Speaking of research, I'm staying on top of new ideas and trends. I'm excited about learning, and I'm excited about implementing new ideas in our classroom quickly.

I ROCK as a teacher and I'm not afraid to say it... even on those days that I have to sneak away for a bite of chocolate or sip of soda to calm my nerves when a child REALLY tries to push me... I still rock at those moments too.

I'm a great teacher, and sadly your child is not going to benefit from that because you fail to bring them to school until just before or at nap time. I'm officially off the clock shortly after we get up from nap and no longer in charge. I help, but after 3 we are playing fun games, and social building activities as opposed to skill based learning in regards to letters, number, and such.

I'm a great teacher and I know it. So you can come in and criticize what I'm doing in my classroom, but I've proven myself, not only to me, but to my bosses, my kids parents, and all those that I need to prove myself to.

If you want your child to have lunch right away when they should, then they need to show up before or at the latest at lunch time. Otherwise yes they will have to wait until I can take a moment to settle the kids down enough to get someone to watch my class so that I may get your child their lunch. I have 13 kids in my class so no your child's needs are not at the top of the group. I attend to all of my students and will not drop everything and disrupt 12 of the kids for one unless it is a very needed situation or I am working with small groups.

And yes... my kids are going to nap. Not only because it is the state law, not because science has proven that they need the nap so that they may absorb new information, but because their little bodies are tired and they need that rest, and I'm not going to deny that to them because I love them and care for their best interest in my heart.

I love my kids

I love my job

and I am a kick ass teacher.

I will now jump off my soap box and go to bed.