To Be or Not To Be

Well, here it is. 10 days into my somewhat new career and life is......good! After having dreams for the last few weeks about jumping off of cliffs, being chased by evil demons and flying cats (not sure about that one - may have been some bad Chinese), I slept last night pretty well... because I was EXHAUSTED. Teaching is really fun, actually. I enjoy my classes and I am learning a great deal about the differences in behavior for the different ages. I have some students who are extremely bright and work hard. I have some who are extremely bright and lazy. I have some who will always struggle to learn from textbooks but may take the world by storm anyway. And I have quite few I haven't come close to figuring out. I am amazed that, for a small private school, we have such a diverse mix of families.
I am still trying to figure out the balance between school and home. Most days, we don't get home until 4 but homework is usually done and we leave the boys' backpacks in the classroom. Tim is being so helpful, too. We work together and get EVERYTHING done the night before. If I could pour the milk on their cereal before I went to bed, I would!
One thing I have seen with great clarity is the importance of parents being involved in their children's education. I did always know this BUT it is quite clear already that the kids whose parents care and stay on top of things with them, do better on average. I am grateful that I am able to be with the boys and spend more time involved in their school life. Please understand, I am not saying I am perfect! I still forget to sign the papers and write the check for the field day shirts but I feel more connected. (If I were any more connected at this point, we'd be conjoined...)Some days, I am searching for a scalpel if you know what I mean... TO CUT us APART people - no one is getting hurt - DO NOT call DSS!
One funny note before I sign off - my first big faux pas (I looked that up). I was complimenting one of my 7th grade students for being so smart and I said , "Way to use your noodle!" Well, that did it! His face turned 6 shades of red and the boy behind him said, "Miss Elissa, he doesn't have a noodle..." Lovely maturity level.......