So, after being in school for 50 years, I am finally going to see what life is like outside of school. I have been struggling with this decision for most of the school year. It is a very hard decision for me because I really love what I do.
It has always been my plan to retire when I reached the "rule of 88" and could take my pension. But when I finally made it to 55 I started getting cold feet. Did I really want to stop doing something that I spent the last 30+ years refining? I love my job and the children I work with everyday. Where else can an ordinary person like me feel like a rock star? Maybe I should stay just one more year...or two?
We looked at the financial side of things and felt that all the saving we have done in the past will make it possible for us to live comfortably in retirement. Would teaching another year or two make a big difference in my pension? Not really. Will the school district offer an incentive again next year? Who knows, but it's unlikely with all the state and federal budget cuts.
I guess the question that helped me make my decision was this. "Will it be any easier to leave after next year? or the year after?" When I thought about it, the answer was "no". So I decided to stick with the plan and retire at the end of this year.
I turned in my paperwork last Tuesday morning, and it was a teary day. Another teacher in my building had turned in her papers the same day and we consoled and supported each other most of the day. By 9:00 that morning the Superintendent had made our decisions public and the day became filled with congratulations and well wishers.
While the decision is still bitter sweet, at least the decision is made and I can sleep through the night again. Now the countdown begins and I look forward to starting a new chapter in my life.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Going Buggy!
After yesterday's calm and reassuring day, today was on the other end of the spectrum. All the 'warm fuzzies' I was feeling last night about how well my class had behaved were lost today as our noise and energy levels seemed to triple over night. We were going 'buggy' to put it mildly.
The "dance of the snow bunnies" (a phrase I've stolen from another K teacher) was especially wild today. It seemed to be more chaotic than ever trying to get 26 little bodies into snow pants, boots, coats, hats and mittens for recess. Then 15 minutes later (much shorter for some) it was time to reverse all that energy and put everything back into some semblance of order in the coat room. And once we DID get back into the classroom, some of the children were still in recess mode. (wrestling with each other, loud voices, crawling around, you name it) We took time to review several rules for recess and expectations for the classroom.
As the day went on, things did improve a little and so, at the end of the day, we accepted an invitation to visit the 7th grade science room to see their collection of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The Kindergarteners LOVED it and were braver than I could ever dream to be. They touched, stroked and even held the creatures with interest and enthusiasm. The 7th graders were very knowledgeable about these multi-legged 'monsters' and my students asked lots of interesting questions. I learned a lot myself. It seemed like a perfect end to our buggy day!
The "dance of the snow bunnies" (a phrase I've stolen from another K teacher) was especially wild today. It seemed to be more chaotic than ever trying to get 26 little bodies into snow pants, boots, coats, hats and mittens for recess. Then 15 minutes later (much shorter for some) it was time to reverse all that energy and put everything back into some semblance of order in the coat room. And once we DID get back into the classroom, some of the children were still in recess mode. (wrestling with each other, loud voices, crawling around, you name it) We took time to review several rules for recess and expectations for the classroom.
As the day went on, things did improve a little and so, at the end of the day, we accepted an invitation to visit the 7th grade science room to see their collection of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The Kindergarteners LOVED it and were braver than I could ever dream to be. They touched, stroked and even held the creatures with interest and enthusiasm. The 7th graders were very knowledgeable about these multi-legged 'monsters' and my students asked lots of interesting questions. I learned a lot myself. It seemed like a perfect end to our buggy day!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Loved
Today was my birthday and it was great from start to finish. We didn't get a snow day (like last year) but we did start the day with a 2 hour late start due to a teacher in-service. The in-service was pretty painless and we actually finished about 30 minutes early, so there was a little bonus time before the kids arrived. I was bombarded with "Happy Birthday"s and hugs (my favorite daily gift). I also got 2 homemade cards (some of the best writing I've seen these 2 kiddos do all year) and 2 others that had personalized messages from the senders.
One little girl talked her mom into bringing a birthday cake and ice cream for the whole class. Score!! This was a huge hit with the children and they spontaneously broke into "Happy Birthday to you" as they were enjoying their treat. I loved it!
I was also the grateful recipient of some beautiful gifts: cocoa, cappicino mix, a mug, a Willow carving, a bag of goodies from an alumnus, and the class gave me the gift of having a great day together. Who could ask for more??
Well, the icing on the cake came when I took our 'Pennies for Pajamas' collection to the bank to find out how much we had collected. Amazingly, the total was $113.93! I was able to purchase 15 pairs of pajamas in a variety of sizes and designs with the money the children (and their parents) donated. I think that part of the day made me feel the best of all. Tomorrow we get to box them up with notes from our class and Scholastic will add a book to each pair and donate them to shelters for the Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive.
I am so lucky to do what I do. What other profession can make you feel so loved?
One little girl talked her mom into bringing a birthday cake and ice cream for the whole class. Score!! This was a huge hit with the children and they spontaneously broke into "Happy Birthday to you" as they were enjoying their treat. I loved it!
I was also the grateful recipient of some beautiful gifts: cocoa, cappicino mix, a mug, a Willow carving, a bag of goodies from an alumnus, and the class gave me the gift of having a great day together. Who could ask for more??
Well, the icing on the cake came when I took our 'Pennies for Pajamas' collection to the bank to find out how much we had collected. Amazingly, the total was $113.93! I was able to purchase 15 pairs of pajamas in a variety of sizes and designs with the money the children (and their parents) donated. I think that part of the day made me feel the best of all. Tomorrow we get to box them up with notes from our class and Scholastic will add a book to each pair and donate them to shelters for the Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive.
I am so lucky to do what I do. What other profession can make you feel so loved?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
You Can't Catch Me, I'm the Gingerbreadman
One of the best things about teaching in December is carrying on traditions from year to year. The teacher I first started teaching Kindergarten with always had the children make real gingerbread men to hang on the Christmas tree in the classroom. (Yes, we DO get to have Christmas at our school). No rolling out and using cookie cutters for this project. We make the cookie men piece by piece because it helps to remind them how our bodies are put together (and sometimes their self portraits improve dramatically after this activity). It also reinforces math terms (sphere and cylinder) and fine motor skills when they decorate the men with 'red hots' and raisins.
So, imagine if you will, 26 students, each with a ball of dough and listening skills that don't last very long. Somehow they were able to follow directions and turn their lumps of gingerbread into shapes that resembled people. I always marvel at the variety of sizes and styles that we get, even though they all follow the same set of steps. Of couse, every year there's one child who comments that the dough looks like poop or a few the don't like the smell. There are also a few that decide to try tasting the dough uncooked. A few years the cups of cinnamon candy and raisins are completely empty when I pick them up. This year they only took out what they used on their cookies and left the rest alone.
So, when the cookies were baked the children were anxious to eat them. When I explained that they would be hung on our classroom tree you would have thought that I had announced recess had been cancelled for the week. Such disappointment should never be heard in a Kindergarten room.
So, since my birthday is this week, we will have some gingerbread cookies for snack time just so they can have a taste of real gingerbread. (Chances are a few will only have a bite or two before they get thrown in the trash.) But at least when they hear the story of the Gingerbread Man, they'll know why the characters in the story were trying so hard to catch the crafty little fellow and what the fox tasted when he got the best of him.
So, imagine if you will, 26 students, each with a ball of dough and listening skills that don't last very long. Somehow they were able to follow directions and turn their lumps of gingerbread into shapes that resembled people. I always marvel at the variety of sizes and styles that we get, even though they all follow the same set of steps. Of couse, every year there's one child who comments that the dough looks like poop or a few the don't like the smell. There are also a few that decide to try tasting the dough uncooked. A few years the cups of cinnamon candy and raisins are completely empty when I pick them up. This year they only took out what they used on their cookies and left the rest alone.
So, when the cookies were baked the children were anxious to eat them. When I explained that they would be hung on our classroom tree you would have thought that I had announced recess had been cancelled for the week. Such disappointment should never be heard in a Kindergarten room.
So, since my birthday is this week, we will have some gingerbread cookies for snack time just so they can have a taste of real gingerbread. (Chances are a few will only have a bite or two before they get thrown in the trash.) But at least when they hear the story of the Gingerbread Man, they'll know why the characters in the story were trying so hard to catch the crafty little fellow and what the fox tasted when he got the best of him.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Back at It
When the school year started, I had great intentions of keeping a daily blog of my final year of teaching. Then my class continued to grow and grow until I have the largest roster in my 33 years of teaching Kindergarten. Twenty-six busy little bodies, a full time associate for one student and starting tomorrow, a part time associate to help me with the academic portion of the day. That makes 29 bodies in my room on a normal day and 30-31 on days when I have a High School helper for 90 minutes and some very reliable and dedicated parent volunteers who help for an hour or two each week.
If you have ever worked with young children, you know that trying to keep that many little bodies on task and motivated is a full time job. Just trying to find room for the desks, the coats (& hats, mittens & boots) and space for activities and even resting mats is a daily challenge. Luckily, I LOVE my job and what I do. Unluckly, I am no longer 20 years old and the energy I used during the school day, has left me exhausted by the time I get home at night.
So, my blogging has been ignored, but not forgotten. This week I have resolved to try to make an entry at least weekly. If I can get myself into the habit of writing that ofter, perhaps I will be able to chronicle aat least a few of the everyday happenings in my chaotic yet charming classroom of cherubs.
If you have ever worked with young children, you know that trying to keep that many little bodies on task and motivated is a full time job. Just trying to find room for the desks, the coats (& hats, mittens & boots) and space for activities and even resting mats is a daily challenge. Luckily, I LOVE my job and what I do. Unluckly, I am no longer 20 years old and the energy I used during the school day, has left me exhausted by the time I get home at night.
So, my blogging has been ignored, but not forgotten. This week I have resolved to try to make an entry at least weekly. If I can get myself into the habit of writing that ofter, perhaps I will be able to chronicle aat least a few of the everyday happenings in my chaotic yet charming classroom of cherubs.
Friday, September 3, 2010
How sweaters are made...
Today was another enlightening day in Kindergarten. I learn SO MUCH every day!
When the children bring show and tell, we have 2 parts. First, the child tells about what they have brought to share with the class. Usually its standard information: "I got it at _____. I like to play with it. This is how it works: Its (color) and I like it because _____." etc.
The second part is when the rest of the class has a chance to ask the proud owner questions about their item/ event. I like this part becuse it teaches them what a question is and it gives them incentive to really listen to what is being said, so they don't repeat something that's already been said or asked.
Every year the children seem to have some favorite questions; "Do you sleep with it? Where do you keep it?" etc. This year they have started asking "How was it made?" I'm not sure who asked it first, but it seems to have become a popular question. Most of the time the answer is "I don't know" or they might name what kind of material the item is made from.
Today one student decided to share her white sweater for Show and Tell. When someone asked "How did they make it?" I wasn't prepared for her reply. This is what she said: "Well, you see, first they take the sleeves and glue them to the sides, then they glue on the tag in the back. They build it from fuzzy stuff, so it feels soft and they glue on pretty buttons. Then they take it and spray it with white paint to make it all the same color."
You can't make up a description this good! I AM glad we do a fibers and fabrics unit in science this year. Hopefully she will have a little better understanding of how clothing is made when we get finished with that set of inquiries! Or maybe she will revolutionize how clothing is made in the future!
The possibilities are endless. :-)
When the children bring show and tell, we have 2 parts. First, the child tells about what they have brought to share with the class. Usually its standard information: "I got it at _____. I like to play with it. This is how it works: Its (color) and I like it because _____." etc.
The second part is when the rest of the class has a chance to ask the proud owner questions about their item/ event. I like this part becuse it teaches them what a question is and it gives them incentive to really listen to what is being said, so they don't repeat something that's already been said or asked.
Every year the children seem to have some favorite questions; "Do you sleep with it? Where do you keep it?" etc. This year they have started asking "How was it made?" I'm not sure who asked it first, but it seems to have become a popular question. Most of the time the answer is "I don't know" or they might name what kind of material the item is made from.
Today one student decided to share her white sweater for Show and Tell. When someone asked "How did they make it?" I wasn't prepared for her reply. This is what she said: "Well, you see, first they take the sleeves and glue them to the sides, then they glue on the tag in the back. They build it from fuzzy stuff, so it feels soft and they glue on pretty buttons. Then they take it and spray it with white paint to make it all the same color."
You can't make up a description this good! I AM glad we do a fibers and fabrics unit in science this year. Hopefully she will have a little better understanding of how clothing is made when we get finished with that set of inquiries! Or maybe she will revolutionize how clothing is made in the future!
The possibilities are endless. :-)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Dry eyes, Wet pants
Today was a dry eye day! My little guy that's been crying everyday finally made it through a day without any tears. (He didn't even need his chart to check off activities today.) He was so proud of himself and I gave him lots of praise throughout the day. This afternoon I wrote a special note for him to take home and show his mom & dad. She still emailed me to make sure he was telling her the truth....too funny!
I guess being patient finally paid off.
But on the other side of the coin, I had the first 'accident' of the year. One of my quieter little girls waited a bit too long before asking to go to the restroom and ended up with soggy britches. She's such a little sprout that the nurse didn't have any undies small enough, so she refused to put on a dry pair. I finally convinced her to try them on and she did comply. Let's hope tomorrow is dry top AND bottom!
I guess being patient finally paid off.
But on the other side of the coin, I had the first 'accident' of the year. One of my quieter little girls waited a bit too long before asking to go to the restroom and ended up with soggy britches. She's such a little sprout that the nurse didn't have any undies small enough, so she refused to put on a dry pair. I finally convinced her to try them on and she did comply. Let's hope tomorrow is dry top AND bottom!
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