Conversations with Preschoolers

Doing to art with the kids this morning.

Me: That's a beautiful sticker, Z!

Z: Yeah. Just like you!

Me: You think I'm beautiful, Z?

Z: Yeah! But you're just, just a girl.

*Happy Sigh*

So yesterday was just an awesome day!
I had a meeting with someone that I was DREADING! I can't stand confrontation. I'm not usually very good at it and I usually get very emotional. But this one went better tahn I could have ever hoped. TY Jesus!
I had an awesome Family Programming Session with one of my special little guys. We went to a park and he sat on my lap while we swung on the swings. And while we swung he started singing "Hosanna". :)
Then I got home from school and you know what was waiting for me? My hubby making tacos for supper and flowers on the table. *sigh* It was so sweet!
Then the cherry on top was that we booked our flights to Halifax for August! We've never been on an actual vacation since getting together over 5 years ago. I'm SO excited!!
I wish every day could be that awesome!

Yay for Crises.

So I had quite the professional crisis this past week, and if you know me at all, you know that means it lead to a personal crisis too. I'm a little emotional that way! :)

Without going into details, I was given the strong idea from a few people that:

-everything I'm doing in my classroom is wrong

-my educational philosophy is wrong

-I'm failing my students and everyone else

-more not fun stuff along those lines...

This lead to several days of little/no sleep, losing 5 pounds from not being able to eat cuz I was so stressed/depressed and generally crying 24/7. I was a wreck.

I finally sat down with my amazing Early Ed directors and poured everything out. They thankfully gave me some much needed encouragement and direction on how to deal with all this.

I sat down this weekend to really, REALLY analyze my educational philosophy and why I do things the way I do. When I did it was great to realize that I'm NOT a failure. NOT everything I was doing was wrong.

Yeah, some things needed tweaking and I was hugely lacking guidance in a few areas, but overall, I'm a good teacher.

I'm not one of the greats, but I think I have the potential to be one day with experience, mentoring and effort.

What do you, I'm pretty good at my job after all. No matter what some people say.

Whoa, heavy!

I'm doing my first academic homework in years, dude!
I have a presentation due on Tuesday I have to give to all the administrators at my school plus about 6 of my peers. *nervous sigh*
I've decided to present on the topic of the importance of developing a strong philosphical foundation in the areas of fairness and competition in the classroom.
It's a really important thing to talk about (I think).
I can't tell you how many times a teacher has said to me, "I can't make special accommodations for a special needs student, it won't be fair to my other students!"
GAH!!
When will people stop ascribing to a 4 year old's definition of fairnes?!
Fairness DOES NOT mean everyone gets the same, it means everyone gets what they NEED!
I'm hoping to shake up a few people's teaching philosophies come Tuesday.
Wish me well!

Not So Fun Afternoon

Well I guess you could say I officially had the scariest experience of my teaching career today, I actually had to call Child Services on a family, and almost the police too.

*sigh*

I obviously can't go into details.

Thankfully things ended better than I expected, still not great, but much better than what I was fearing would happen!

It was still a VERY stressful hour of my life. When I finally got back to the school I marched into the Early Ed office and asked who was buying me a drink! They all agreed I deserved one! :)

I'm a little nervous about the possible "fallout" from the family in the days to come, please keep me and my little student in your prayers. I don't necessarily want to see him removed from the home, but they do need some help. The family has clearly been struggling for months, but sadly reject our attempts at helping.

*sigh*

Deep breaths and it'll all be good...I hope.