Fabulous Life of a Teacher

As I get ready to finish my first year of teaching, I have been thinking of the memorable moments and quotes that I do not want to forget. Some are from student teaching days, and some are from my first year of my very rewarding career.

• For a 6 year old, Miss Vanlaningham was a challenge. So for a semester, he called me Miss Van-lady-ham.

• In my last week of student teaching I was given a giant card spelled extremely phonetically. "happy grachurashun day" For those of you who don't frequently read 1st grade writing.... "happened graduation day."

• "11 is my favorite number. You can't write it backwards." 7 year old

• "Thanksgiving is like a party, but there is no disco ball." 7 year old

• "I went to a birthday party, and there were sprinkles that you could throw in the air and on the floor." 7 year old

• In my secondary student teaching, I had a 7th grader that all the other teachers had written off. He tried to be lazy and defiant, but I never gave up on him. On the back of my evaluation, he wrote, "Bye Miss V. We will miss you." I knew for a few weeks, he knew I cared. 

• Also in my secondary student teaching a 7th grade girl wrote me a message on my evaluation as well. Something like, "I hope you get the job. You would be a good teacher. I will pray for you." Warms my hear to think about it. Good thing she thought I "would be" a good teacher if I decided to be someday, even though I was already student teaching. :)

• Two third graders, boy and girl, asked me if I used to be a tomboy when I was young. I admitted that I had, and they continued to discuss the issue between themselves. Then I hear from the boy as serious as can be, "I have never been a tomgirl." One of the times I had to stifle my laughter in front of the kiddos. 

As a teacher who has worked with a wide range of students with varying ages and abilities, I am truly blessed. I love my chosen career, and I can't wait to continue it when I move back to Kosciusko. Now we will see what God has in store for me. Back to the general ed setting which I have not been in since college? Or in the special ed setting which can be heartbreaking, uplifting, emotional, exhausting, rewarding, and intense. Please say a prayer for me as I work to find a new job in the area.