I survived my first week of being a 5th grade teacher! What? Am I old enough for this? My students say I look 19 but then they quickly counteract their own thinking with "well, you have to be at LEAST 20 years old to be a teacher" and then I just let them think they are correct :) Still so weird to think that I am an actual teacher and not just a student teacher passing through who is only at a school temporarily. I have only taught for 5 days but found myself talking with some teacher friends saying "well a couple weeks ago we worked on..." when in actuality it occurred just two days ago. Does being a teacher mean time is prolonged or does the lack of sleep, lost voice, and achy feet just make you feel that way?
Highlights of my first week:
1. Being called a rendition of names such as "Ms. Crabapple," "Mrs. Crabs" and my ultimate favorite, "Ms. Crabgrass" completely on accident. Who knew "Ms. Crabtree" could be so hard to remember?
2. Being told my outfit is "totes adorbs" and that my glasses "really bring the whole outfit together" by some seemingly fashion-forward 10 year olds.
3. For this first week we were asked to sit with our students in the cafeteria for lunch. Favorite conversations consisted of a 10 year old boy telling me all the scoop on the latest celeb gossip. When I inquired on how he knew all of this information (much information I wasn't even aware of such as JBieb is apparently begging for Selena back but she keeps denying him..how dare her?!) he went on to tell me how his mom loves to watch Access Hollywood every night. Do we have a new E! News correspondent in the midst of our 5th graders? Maybe Jason Kennedy can come for Career Day...
4. Another lunch conversation consisted of overhearing some 5th grade boys talking about all the stuff they have blown up in the microwave and what YouTube videos are a MUST to watch about such acts. I then almost chimed in about my own stunt when I was younger about how if you put a lemon in the microwave, it will turn as hard as a rock. But then I thought ummm betta not and acted like I didn't hear the conversation that was going on.
5. My homeroom class got to go to the school library this week to check out some books. As soon as they got their library cards, 3/4 of the class swarmed to the "scary stories" section and proceeded to grab every scary story book in sight. When I noticed that a couple girls checked out "Scary Stories To Tell in The Dark" I knew I HAD to tell them that I also read that book when I was in 5th grade and that one of the stories has haunted me ever since. A precious little girl then turned to that story and began reading it. She was legitimately freaked out upon ending the story and I have now passed on my fears to another innocent 5th grade girl. Oops.
I also had my first experience with making one of my 5th grade girls cry yesterday and let me tell you, it broke my heart despite the fact that I was correct in how I disciplined her. She is as sweet as can be and the first time I had to get on to her happened to be too much for her to handle. Don't worry, I talked to her about why I got on to her and we're still buds, but crying students is no bueno!
The first week of the rest of my career is behind me and at this point, I feel like I could accomplish anything. Even though the amount of times I had to tell my students to stop talking was astronomical and how I would explain instructions three times to the class and STILL had students who apparently weren't listening come up to me a minute later asking me the same questions that I just answered, I wouldn't want to do anything else as a "big girl job."
Thank you, Jesus, for this job at a great school where I am surrounded by staff who come in my door every day just to ask me how I'm doing. Thank you for their constant support and encouragement when I feel like I just can't do it. You have answered my prayers in huge ways and I thank You for a hard week but one that was well worth it.
Hallelujah for a 3-day weekend!
Teacher out,
Ms. Crabtree
First Day!
6:45 a.m.
Half asleep zZz
