132. the amount of hours I have spent planning, preparing, and teaching in these short 2 1/2 weeks. This doesn't count the contract days before school started, the professional development classes, and getting my classroom set up.
I honestly feel that few other professions put in the amount of time as teachers. But, I shall step down off my soapbox.
The one thing they tell you (of many, many things) when preparing you for teaching is that in the first three years of teaching, you will be sicker than you have in your entire life. I have now experienced this. For over a week now, I have had a pounding headache, congestion like none other, very deep cough, and I sound like a hamster. My class gets a lot of amusement of my trying to talk loud and all that comes out is a squeak, but they have been good.
Sometimes I feel like the class is out of control. A few times during these past few weeks, no matter what I do, the kids will NOT pay attention. So, we either go back to the rug and talk about the rules AGAIN, or we put our heads down on our desks to finally hear the sweet sound of silence. Their little voices are adorable! but when hearing, "teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher" 200 times a day, it can be a wonderful thing to have a little bit of quiet. I feel like this is what my students feel like in their lives sometimes. They are 6 and 7. The world is spinning around them. As much as I wish they all have a wonderful supportive family that has nothing better to do than help their child succeed, this is sadly not the case. When I hear the predicaments some of these children face, it literally breaks my heart. There are things no 6 nor 60 year old should have to go through. I feel that each child wants something that THEY can control. If they choose to sit at their desk and keep quiet during rug time every once and a while, I can accept this. As a teacher you have to constantly pick your battles. When my kids have a hard day, it hurts my heart. I just want to hug each of them and let them know they are loved, someone cares about them, and I will do everything in my power to help them succeed. One little child today was having an especially hard day. As they came back from recess, tears filled their glasses and trickled down their puffy cheeks. I was on my knees tying shoes as this child came up and threw their arms around my neck without the slightest hesitation. I lightly patted their back and told them everything would be alright and today was going to be a great day. Knowing my students find comfort from me and knowing they can come to me when they are hurt helped alleviate the pounding in my head somewhat. This child who hugged me controls little in their life. As a teacher you become an advocate for each and every student.
You now lead an army of tiny humans that will one day change the world. You will change lives and influence hundreds. If this is something that sounds exhilarating and what you want to do, one word..
TEACH
