No Furniture

I am a first year Kindergarten teacher in an urban school. My life has been flipped upside down in the last few weeks and I am glad. My husband is in his first year of Med School which adds to the chaos of our lives. During the week we eat a lot of frozen meals or cereal for dinner, have no clean laundry, forget that there is a life outside of our insanity, and have very limited time together. But we have never been happier or more fulfilled.

-This last week I had a student throw up, one wet their pants, many tears, tied 1000 shoes and received lot of hugs. I love teaching Kindergarten. Only 2 of my students knew ANY of their letters or numbers at the beginning of the year. This week several of my small group read sentences and sounded out words. They're like little sponges. It is worth all of the work because they are so eager to learn!

-I have been swamped with planning lessons, arranging my classroom, keeping up with testing schedules, etc. that I have not had as much time as I want to to connect with my students outside of the classroom. Until this week. A switch changed this week. At my school we have a walking club every Tuesday after school. Several of my kids were signed up. I had a LONG to-do list but ignored it for an hour and went walking with my kids. We held hands, talked about the most random things they wanted to share about their lives, and enjoyed the changing color of trees and beautiful weather. It energized me.

-I had conferences last week and got to talk to families and get a feeling for the need my kiddos have. It is more than I anticipated. I was given the chance to give away a backpack, sign up my kids for free food through the backpack club and more. It reminded me of why I have put in the long hours-these families need an advocate.

-Then I went to an in-home conference. At the home of one of my sweetest students. The mother does not have a car, phone or computer, so the only way to talk to her was to go to her. It broke my heart. A small apartment with many people living there, with no furniture. I have been trying to process ever since.

-We have so much. It is ridiculous. I am disgusted by the disproportion of wealth in our country. But also really modivated to do something about it. People are trying the hardest they can. I have 5 year olds in my class who have see more than most adults have. The more we open our eyes and are generous with our things, the more we can even things out. I have not earned ANYTHING I have-it's all a gift. We have to give it away.

-At a kids sale this weekend I was buying clothes for some of my students-the lady asked me how many kids I have-I said-20....but I'm not a mom, I'm a teacher. :)

-The most popular items in my prize box this week (out of playdoh, toys, candy, etc.) was juice and used crayons. Kind of heartbreaking.

-"Ms.-I love school. I don't want to go home. I want to stay here with you." Makes the ridiculous, all-consuming schedule worth it.

-From one of my kids who was sick the day before: "Ms., Was everyone real worried about me? Were they wondering where I was? Don't worry-I was just sick-I'm ok now."

-Me: What do you want to be when you grow up? Student-A soccer ball.

I am blessed. I am energized from a weekend of shopping for my kids, playing ultimate frisbee, running the hills with my husband, watching shallow shows on Hulu and spending time on my porch swing thinking about the call Jesus has for my life. I am not my own. I just pray that I continue to open my eyes to the need. I love my job. Ready for another crazy week!

:)