I'm going to make a confession... sometimes I don't like my job. I can get annoyed by the paperwork. I am irritated by the constant meetings. I hate when the copier is down when I need just ONE MORE copy. I'm saddened by the homelife of my students. And, I hate coming home late on Thursdays after my girls have gone to bed.
Do you notice one thing that I didn't mention? Yes, the kids. As frustrating as they can be at times, I wouldn't trade them for the world. They make my annoyances disappear every time they give me a hand-drawn picture with "Mrs. Brumbaugh" drawn inside a heart. They melt away my stress by telling me how excited they are to learn today. They smooth my rough days with the hug they give me on a Friday as they say "I'll miss you". These kids truly make me feel like my life has a meaning, a purpose. I love them dearly and would care for them like I would my own.
Today, I had two remarkable things happen. These occurances made me stop and think "THIS is why I do what I do every day." Let me set the scene: We have been working on double-digit subtraction with regrouping for well over a week and a half. There are still just a handful of kiddos that just do-not-get-it. No matter what rhymes, videos, songs, manipulatives, tricks, or practice we have done. I was sitting with one very sweet girl today. Her and I were huddled together working on a page, going step by step. She just could NOT get the whole regrouping thing... I could tell she was getting frustrated, so I turned the paper over and approached it differently. Then, I saw it... a small smile. I saw her eyes widden, and BAM! There it was!! A lightbulb moment!! I can't describe what a true moment like that feels like. It is amazing to see the brighter smile and twinkling eyes of a child when learning finally clicks in them. It just fills your heart with an undescribable sense of pride and wonder. I wish that all grown ups could feel this way at least once.
Then, around 6pm tonight, I was grading math facts tests. I noticed that one little girl that started the year off being able to do about 12 problems in 3 minutes could now do 46!! I was blown away!! I pulled out my phone and quickly texted her mother and let her know the great news. This was her response: "That's very good to know. I'm pleased with how hard you have been working with her. You're an extraordinary teacher. Thank you so much." Can I just tell you how this brought tears to my eyes- instantly. I do what I do because I love it. I don't ask for thanks or accolades, but I have to say that sometimes it just feels nice to know you are appreciated. I can't thank this mother enough for the gift her words had given me.
So, that's it. Time to head home, and start early tomorrow. Enjoy your night!!
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