I wrapped up my seventeenth year of teaching last week. Over the course of these years, I have taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th (a blip!), and 5th grade. And, I have loved most things about all of them. There is both something unique and a comforting sense of sameness when you teach across ages. On one hand, children change and grow so beautifully overtime. On the other hand, kids are kids.
For the past eight years, I have been a 5th grade teacher. These students are neat. They have one foot in the magic of childhood (light saber fights at recess and cute cat notebooks) and one on the unsteady dock of young adulthood (smelly pits, weird social feelings). I love them. And sometimes I don’t.
Next year, I am going to return to third grade, and I am feeling joyful about it! I am ready to embrace their innocent eyes. I am giddy with excitement about the books I will get to share, the math games that eight-year-olds love, and the pure happiness that holidays* bring them – I like me a craft.
I have certainly learned a lot from being a teacher. This is a smattering.
- The school supply list has evolved. The top two new items that are musts nowadays are hand sanitizer and headphones.
- Kids just want to be heard. They want us to listen to their funny stories and remember to ask them about their soccer games.
- If you want a victory, bring food. Children love a snack, no matter the age.
- Cursive is still incredibly exciting to learn and continues to be taught in many schools. But, most won’t use it again after third grade. Many will have to practice a signature when they get their first job or take their drivers license test.
- Everyone loves hearing a story. Read-aloud is a sacred time of day.
- Students love assemblies, field trips, and recess! Most teachers do not like assemblies, field trips, or recess duty.
- There will always be lost and unclaimed jackets, scarves, mittens, boots, shoes, socks, hats, pants, and sometimes underwear (yes, I don’t understand it) in your classroom and in lost and found. No matter how many reminders. No matter how many requests to look twice or thrice.
- The older the students get, the less weather-proof clothing items they wear.
- Content expectations have become more rigorous, not less. When I taught third grade ten years ago, I was introducing the concept of multiplication. Next year, I will learn to expect automaticity early in our time together.
- Most parents want good things for their children. Some parents don’t. Most parents will partner with you to support their children. Some parents will deeply disappoint you.
- Being a teacher is hard. But, being a parent is harder. I have to remind myself of this when I get caught up in the emotions that #10 bring me.
- Cutting in line remains a sin.
- Students love to help. Giving them general jobs in the classroom is good, but giving them jobs that are specific and from their teacher – like a favor – is the most wonderful. This becomes even more magical if they can leave the classroom and miss a little bit of class in order to complete the task.
- What your classroom looks like and feels like matters. This is where you and your students spend hours and hours of time. It should be warm and safe.
- Setting up the classroom each fall still brings me deep joy. As does tearing it down at the end and knowing summer is here 🙂
- A hug is still worth a lot. It’s the physical form of I see you.
- Children want to do well, even when that does not look obvious on the outside. And, all children can learn.
*Bonus item: Halloween is dreadful for teachers. I think it’s worse than a field trip.
To all of my education-field friends, happy summer. You are good people. And to all grandparents, parents, caretakers, bless you. You are the foundation of this village. And to the kids, we love you.
