Well, 2008 is turning out to be a great year thus far! While I'm still on the fence about remaining in the teaching profession, I feel a lot more secure in my abilities than last year. I am so grateful for the following at my new school:

--supportive administration
--having an inclusion teacher in 2 out of 3 classes
--small(er) class sizes (average is 15)
--increased salary
--more professional opportunities
--being a positive role model to students (one student in particular told me that I was his 1st black teacher. This is significant because the school district has over 70% students of color. Where have all the teachers of color gone?)
--receiving help and pats on the back when needed
--having a structured curriculum (oh man, was this a nightmare for me last year!!)

Now all I have to do is carry this positivity to the end of the year :)!

On (not) Liking Kids

http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/today8.html

“We don't like our kids. This is a country, this is a nation of people who don't like their kids.” ~

Frank McCourt

Is this true, U.S.A.? Do we really not like our kids? It seems like such a juxtaposition; we live in a country with an extraordinary amount of resources for (wealthy) infertile couples who want to have children, we offer our children extracurricular activities ranging from baseball practice to yoga. Yet, having recently finished my first year as a teacher, McCourt has touched a raw nerve. He's right, we don't like our kids.

If we did, I wouldn't have had to advise a student on whether or not he was ready for his first kiss. Or give up part of my lunch to make sure that one of my female students ate something every day. Or have to explain to one of my students the difference between a true friend and an enemy. Don't get me wrong, I know that compassion is part of being an effective teacher. However, there's only so much that one teacher can do with the limited resources. Some days, it really does seem like many of my students' parents just don't like their kids. Thoughts? Comments?