Happy Teacher Appreciation week!

Being a teacher, it feels weird to wish myself a happy week, but at this time of the year, you just never know!

Most people do not understand the dynamics of school and May.  The last few years there had still been some cold and snow and other yuck that kept spring fever from hitting so hard.  Well this year, as nice as the weather is to experience on the weekends, the kids are feeling the call of summer.  And we still have half a quarter to go!

This is a time of great stress for everyone.  I am speaking here as a High School teacher.  Teachers are trying hard to get through the material that is part of their curriculum and battling a whole HOST of distracting events.  You wouldn't believe the number of athletic events that take kids out of school in the afternoon.  PLUS there are standardized tests occurring in the mornings, scattered through the next week or so.  Throw in seniors just getting to the end of the month, students trying to get caught up/passing so they don't have do recovery credits in the summer, the stress of trying to find jobs, and all the personal things that we only have a passing knowledge of.

Every day you go in hoping that the kids are doing well, that the day will be smooth and everyone is cooperative.  This does not always happen, but we do what we can.  The same exact thing happens at the elementary school, but with slightly different behaviors.  Whether they want school to be done or NOT be done for the summer (there are some who apparently do not look forward to the summer off) there is some acting out that is going to happen.

So every day I go into the building with the hope for a good day.  And regardless of whether that comes true or not, the kids need to know that I will still be there for them even if they are behaving in a way that defies reason and logic.  Because you never know what is really going on in their lives or their head.  And I hope that I can find a way to remember this and always be a joy giver in their day.