| Seven Affirmations for Teachers |
 I am proud to be a teacher. |
 Teaching is one of the most honorable and noble of all professions. |
 I love what I do and know that my enthusiasm is contagious. |
 I bring knowledge, dedication, and understanding to my classroom. |
 I make a positive difference in my students' lives. |
 My students will be better people because of me and I will be a better person because of them. |
 I know what I give to my students will come back to me in many wonderful and unexpected ways. |
Taken from Daily Apples. Com
| Apology to None |
| When I am introduced as a teacher, I am usually asked what I teach.
When I say,"first grade", I generally hear a very flat "OH".
I have never been certain whether it is an expression of pity, sympathy, disgust, or perhaps disinterest.
Always I wish I had the time to explain to them like this:
YES, I teach first grade.
WHERE ELSE would a handsome young man put his arms around me and ask
"Do you know that I'll always remember you and love you?
WHERE ELSE could I tie so many hair ribbons and belts and daily get to see a style show of pretty dresses and shirts?
WHERE ELSE could I walk up and down aisles and have little warm hands reach out to me?
WHERE ELSE could I have the privilege of wiggling loose teeth and receive the promise that I may pull them when they are loose enough?
WHERE ELSE would I eat a spoiled piece of candy from a grimy little hand and not become ill?(I have to eat it because he watches me to see that I do!)
WHERE ELSE would the future look so bright as it does amid an energetic group to whom nothing is impossible?
WHERE ELSE could I guide the first letter formations of a chubby little hand that may some day write a book or an important document?
WHERE ELSE could I forget my own aches and pains because of so many cut fingers,scratched knees, bumped heads and broken hearts that need care?
WHERE ELSE could I forget the cares and even "the state of the nation" because Stevie isn't grasping Reading as he should and other methods must be tried?
WHERE ELSE would my mind have to stay so young as with a group whose attention span is so short that I must always keep a "bag of tricks" up my sleeve?
WHERE ELSE could I feel so close to my Maker as I do each year when, because of something I've done, little children learn to read?
YES, I teach first grade, Mr. and Mrs. America, and I LOVE IT!
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Author Unknown
| I Didn't Know |
| I didn't know that years of school and a college degree would be of little consolation when facing a room full of bright little eyes on the first day of school. I thought I was ready . . .
I didn't know that five minutes can seem like five hours when there is idle time and an eight hour school day far too short for a well-planned day of teaching.
I didn't know that teaching children was only a fraction of my job. No one tells you about the conferences and phone calls, faculty meetings and committees, paperwork and paperwork . . .
I didn't know that it took so long to cut out letters, draw and color pictures, laminate all for those bullentin boards that were always "just there" . . .
I didn't know that I would become such a scavenger, and that teaching materials would feel like pure gold in my hands . . .
I didn't know that an administration and co-workers that support and help you could make such a difference . . .
I didn't know that there would be children that I loved and cared for and stayed up late worrying about, who, one day, would simply not show up. And that I would never see them again . . .
I didn't know that I can't always dry little tears and mend broken hearts. I thought I could always make a difference.
I didn't know that the sound of children's laughter could drown out the sound of all the world's sadness . . .
I didn't know that children could feel so profoundly. A broken heart knows no age.
I didn't know that a single "yes, ma'am" from a disrespectful child or a note in my desk that says "You're the best!" could make me feel like I'm on top of a mountain and forget the valleys I forged to get there . . .
I never knew that after one year of teaching I would feel so much wiser, more tired, sadder and happier, all at once.
And that I would no longer call teaching my job, but my privilege.
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Author Unknown
| What is a First Grade Class? |
A first grade class is a group of six-year-olds, none of which look, act, think, behave, talk or grow in the same way. Its members are victims of a magical age during which they pass from five-year-old babies to seven-year-old children. It comes with assorted needs ranging from Kleenex to affection. It has stars in its eyes and loose teeth in its mouth; questions on its mind, and Band-Aids on its knees; forgiveness in its heart, and peanut butter sandwiches in its lunch.
It Loves To Share
A first grade class is able to put more things on a teacher's desk during the first five minutes of school than any other class can accomplish in a full day. Two bouquets of flowers, six wilted leaves, a piece of father's birthday cake, a pretty stone, three phonograph records, a favorite book, a turtle, a broken thermos, and a nest of three newly hatched dead birds.
A first grade class is fond of big ice-cream sandwiches, movies, dead birds, animal stories, and talks of how others lost their teeth and the rewards gained. It enjoys being read to, and will bring Hans Christian Anderson up to date by sparkling the anticipated climax with the Dragnet theme. It loves a teacher during play period, hates her when she takes gum away, and loves her once again when she smiles naturally.
It Loves To Talk
A first grade class is able to steal all of a teacher's time with just a little, evenly divided, unplanned effort. A skinned knee, a lost lunch, a broken zipper, measles breakout, untied shoes, two small boats, conference requests, and needed affection for one with a new brother will fill the day nicely.
A first grade class is eager to inform its teacher of all the latest developments at home and abroad. She knows when every member of the family has a birthday and the gifts received there upon. She must look at every pair of shoes, shirt, dress, wallet . . .
It Loves You
A first grade class spends much time on a teacher's feet, but more in her thoughts. It can turn her stomach during lunch, and her heart during dinner. It spills paint on her smock, and satisfaction in her soul. It leaves her with a headache at three, and greets her with a smile at eight. It brings noise during the day, and peace during the night. It takes everything out of her, but gives her more back in return when it leaves a note on her desk written in poor manuscript, but deepest feelings - - - - - - I LOVE YOU.
By Janet A. Eaton
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