things I've learned while working in an elementary school

 

Happy Wednesday, friends! After today, I have 4 & 1/2 days left of the semester. It can't come quick enough! I thought I'd share some humorous things I've overheard and witnessed whilst working with little kids. They really do say the funniest things! And they can be little punks, but man, are they cute or what? 

1. Kids really have zero filter. If you don't want them to blurt out all your personal business, you should never tell them anything. We have this one little kid who misses so much school that it's ridiculous. He missed like ten days in a row a few weeks ago, and when I told him that I was glad he was feeling better enough to be back, he said, "I wasn't sick! But I can't tell you what I was doing, my mom won't let me!" I assured him that I did not want to know, but I am sure all the teachers had something to say about this.

2. Some kids are messier than other kids. I mean, it sounds about right, doesn't it? A couple of grades come to us during their snack time, so we let them eat for the first ten or fifteen minutes of class each day. Just this week, one little girl made such a huge mess that I made her clean up after herself. She had crumbs all over the table and her hands, so I pointed her to the hand sanitizer and some napkins to wipe up her mess. She came to class one day with a pouch of tiny cookies, icing, and sprinkles. I thought my eyes were going to bug out of my head. I just know that when she leaves, I have to clean the table with disinfectant. 

3. Kids also repeat every dumb thing that was ever said in their presence. This one little boy in kindergarten told me he was sad because he always feels like he's not good enough. I can guarantee you that he has been made to feel that way, and that is one of the saddest things I have ever heard. I make sure and affirm him while he's at my table every single day, and if I have to waste an entire pad of Post-It notes with smiley faces drawn on it just for him, then so be it. If one kid gets a smiley face because his behavior is bad, then all the more for the good kids to get the same treatment. 

4. On the subject of affirming kids, it leads me to the fact that they all need affirmation from adults in their lives! It reminds me of Ephesians 4:29—Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Every kid, whether elementary school aged, middle schooler, teenager, and grown up kids, needs to be affirmed often. You can never unhear unkind words.

5. Adults in the education profession like to eat! It's nearly impossible to eat healthy while working in a school. I've tried my best to resist, resist, and resist some more, but I have definitely caved a time or four. I had a full donut one day last week. The week before that was teacher's appreciation week, so I partook in all the wonderful food that was offered throughout the week. The week before that, the administrators were wheeling around a cart with soft drinks and candy bars. There is always something going on involving food! 

6. No matter where I work or if I stay at home, I like for my spaces to be neat and orderly. I clean often because someone is always sneezing or coughing on me! Seriously, I have used the heck out of the giant tub of wipes that we keep in our bathroom. (We have a bathroom in our classroom, have I ever mentioned that?) I clean off my table each day and leave it empty for the next day. Also, I am still the early bird and prefer getting there at eight a.m. each day, rather than the 8:40 that is required. I hate rushing, and it doesn't matter if I'm meeting someone for lunch or if I'm signing a time sheet everyday. 

7. Technology still scares me, but I've gotten so much better at it, excluding the giant Promethean board we have in our classroom. It still intimidates me and every time I just walk by it, it does something weird. I've been willing to do anything and everything my coworkers have asked of me, but I leave the Promethean board to them and the students. They don't seem to mind too much, and I have led a few activities on it when they've specifically asked. 

8. The wonderful people I've worked with all love Shein! Have you ordered anything from that company? They've all turned me onto it, and you cannot beat their low prices. I've yet to order, but I feel it coming. (I did place an order for a few things that should start coming in tomorrow or Thursday, but not from Shein.) You can order anything and everything from them, including really cute themed earrings. I know some of you reading love that kind of thing! 

It's been fun working at a school, and I feel like I've learned a ton from my coworkers. I know I'll miss it, but I'm still excited about being back at home. I cannot wait to get summer started! I have so many things I want to do, and it'll be here before I know it. I have 5 and 1/2 days left as of today! Are you counting down to anything? The end of a school year for you or your kids? A vacation or something fun on the horizon? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog, friends. Love to all.