Brought To Tears

Yep-- I was brought to tears today in kindergarten. 

We had an unannounced fire drill late this afternoon and my class was on their way back from Related Arts. I panicked a little because I've never not been with my class when this sort of thing happens.

I raced to the door they had exited from to witness one of the sweetest sights I've ever seen. 

Three children from the Transitional Kindergarten class joins mine for circle time, lunch, and related arts.  One of the little boys from TK was struggling with all that was going on.  One of my kindergartners, Jack, took his hand and held it the entire way out.  I was speechless.

I have a special place in my heart for children with special needs.  I was blessed with three very special brothers-- one older and two younger twins.  They were all born physically and mentally handicapped.  They lived tough lives, but they touched so many others.  I know I wouldn't be the same person I am today. 

It wasn't until I called Jack up in front of our class to announce this selfless act that tears came to my eyes.  I was asking Jack why he would do something like this and his reply was so matter of fact, "Because, Mrs. Lochel, he was scared." 

Everything that you ever needed to know you learned in Kindergarten, right? 

When someone is scared,  you just take their hand and everything will be okay.

A Continuum

I attended my third and final day of Mentor Training yesterday and much like the last two days I feel as those I've learned a great deal about mentoring, but also about myself as a professional. 

I was introduced to a document called a "Continuum".  You automatically think of the words "continue" and "continuous" and you can pretty much infer what this is.

In relationship to teachers, it's a big chart that lays out all these specific dimensions and qualifiers.  The dimensions and qualifiers range from planning and instruction to environment and professionalism.  The Continuum ranges from Beginner to Innovative.

We were all challenged to turn to a specific page and self assess; place ourselves somewhere on the Continuum.  I will not lie- it was a hard task to do!  I went back and forth from being overly critical, to overly generous!  I could see how I'd changed through the years; I could see how I'd changed through one year.  On some dimensions, I could see how I changed throughout the week.  Some days are better than others, for sure. I moved up and I moved down; back and forth.  It's a good thing, too, because the idea is that you never stay in one place.  We don't want to be stagnant, but always moving (hopefully forward) on this continuum.

This activity did get me thinking about all the roles we have in our lives whether or not a continuum exists there too.

Do you have an idea of what the innovative friend looks like? 
Do you have an idea of what the innovative wife or mother looks like? Sister? Daughter? Aunt? Neighbor?

Where are you on the continuum of life?  (oh goodness, that's deep!) 

My First Year

Seven short years ago, blissfully unaware of many of the demands/roles/hats I would have as a teacher, I was hired to, and began doing what I love. 

For a moment today, I was brought back to that first year as we discussed feelings that first year teachers have throughout the year from August to May.  We discussed the range of attitudes they experience from anticipation to survival to reflection.

I have a particular memory that I will keep with me always. 

It was the first day of school.  I was so eager, so nervous, so anxious. 

In through the door I saw many students and parents with new book bags and supplies.  Through the crowd and over to where I was standing came a mother and her son.  With a huge grin on both of their faces, Mrs. Paula Schumpert handed me a potted plant and said, "This is for you.  You'll never have another first first day." 

Although at that moment, I don't think I truly realized the magnitude of what she was saying, it made my smile grow even larger and calmed my nerves.

First year teachers don't always get the respect and support they need from parents or other staff members. That's why this training has been so valuable to me.  I've been able to hear experiences from other teachers, not so similar to mine.  And, I'm learning how to offer the support that was so valuable to me.  

One of the lessons I think I'll share with a new teacher this year is that even though you'll never have another first first day, you can treat each day with that same enthusiasm!  

Each day, remember the eagerness; it'll keep you open minded.

Each day, remember the anxiousness; it'll keep you on your toes. 

Each day, remember the nerves; they'll keep you humble. 

Each day, remember the smiles; those are the children that depend on you.

Just One More Degree

Our first day of Mentor Training was thought provoking and inspiring.  Seeing just how many teachers leave the profession within the first 5 years is astounding.  Our work over the next two days will focus on what we can do as Mentors to better prepare and better support teacher candidates and induction year teachers so that they don't experience the same pitfalls and not want to teach anymore.

Teaching, and all that goes along with it, is a lot harder than most people could ever imagine!  This makes me think of a quote I once heard, "From the outside looking in, you can never understand it.  From the inside looking out, you can never explain it."  But, our jobs here as Mentors from the "inside" will require us to explain it.  Explain what we do each day and more importantly, why.

Our leader closed the day with a clip from a company called Simple Truths.  To paraphrase the main idea, water is hot at 211 degrees.  Water boils at 212.  Just one more degree causes plain water to turn to steam.  And steam- well steam can power a locomotive.  Oh the power of just one extra degree.

The clip really allowed us to think of all the things we could accomplish and what MORE of a difference we could make if we just gave one more degree.  One more degree of hope.  One more degree of love.  One more degree of faith. 

What if I gave one more degree of friendship to someone.  Or maybe even one more degree of understanding to someone or a situation that I can't even begin to comprehend.  What a difference that would make in my attitude, and most likely the outcome. 

As Amanda was dropping me off she pulled her car into my driveway and we saw a special present on my doorstep!

A present from my sweet friend Hayden! 

Now that is one extra degree used to make this teacher feel extra special on her birthday!