I am a Teacher!!!

Most of our bloggers know that I am a mother of two beautiful girls, but what you might not have realized is that I am also a full-time teacher. A few years back I decided to return to school and finally get certified in education. Just last year I received my certification in elementary education and was ready to enter the world of teaching. I went in with high hopes and admittedly naive expectations. I thought my students would adore me and hang on my every word. I was about to get a rude awakening. I interned in a kindergarten class, so I thought for my first year I would teach kindergarten. You wouldn't believe the goings-on in my kindergarten class. You probably imagine a kindergarten class full of shining faces, bright eyes, and cute little people. In my class, I had 5 year-olds cursing like a sailor, throwing chairs at each other, biting and scratching each other, and practically almost killing each other. I have no idea how I lasted the whole year, but somehow I made it through. And believe me, I never cried so much in my life. It was literally the most miserable year of my life. I am a happy-go-lucky person and nothing ever bothers me for long, but boy, was I the most miserable and unhappiest person. I was close to quitting almost every day. By the end, it was finally like the light at the end of a tunnel. When I stepped out and away from that horrible place, I felt the sun shining on me and I was able to breathe again. On my last day of school, my beautiful sisters threw me a little party with a cake that read, "Screw (name of school)!" It was awesome!

I'm in my second year of teaching, at a different school and teaching third grade. Thank God! I am not the best teacher in the world, nor am I the worst teacher. I have my fair share of not perfect days, but it in no way compares to even my best days at my old school. The administration and staff are supportive and actually want to help me. Last year the principal was literally out to get me. When I called the office about my crazy students, the secretary will tell me to calm the student down. How the hell am I suppose to calm a student who's on a murderous rampage?!? This year is a complete turn around. Teachers have no qualms calling the office about problem students and teachers actually like and respect the principal. This idea was completely foreign to me!

All of last year I did not feel like a teacher. I felt like a failure. When people asked my occupation, I would admit that I'm a teacher, but I felt almost like a liar. This year I can say with pride that I am a teacher! So bloggers just wanted to say, "I am a teacher and proud of it!"