from one of my kiddos

Dear Santa,

I don't want much. I don't even need toys. All I want (if you think I'm a good girl) is for you to promise me I will always have teachers as wonderful as Carri (and co teachers)

I want teachers like them with patience and smiles and that treat me with respect. I can't believe how much they taught me!

And I'm so happy they gave me structure and cared for me when my daddy was sick.

This year, please bring them everything on their wish list...maybe that will make their jobs just a little bit easier

Luckily I didn't read this card in front of the children. Cause it made me cry. A lot.

When I stop and think about how far this family (and others) have changed in a year it amazes me. Children grow so fast and quick that a year is a lifetime to them. Their lives completely change in a year. The work I do as a teacher is huge. It can leave a lasting impact on these families. The small stuff we do each day can make a difference forever.

vs my old office job

I remember working in an office. Somedays there are a bazillion things to do and not enough time to get them done. Somedays I had to make a to do list in order to figure out which of the bazillion things that all needed done ASAP, actually needed done first. And then there are somedays when there is nothing to do- except check email, answer phone calls, and refill my coffee cup. But that only takes an hour...what to do with the other seven.

I hated those days of searching for things to do. I hated even more when I didn't find anything. A friend reminded me yesterday- the trouble with having nothing to do at work? Leaving at the end of the day having accomplished nothing. I need that sense of accomplishment. Now my days are filled with things that get done- although not always what I planned.

Well in the realm of all the hats I wear, and unlike all the ways being a teacher is similar to being a bartender...here begins all the ways working in a classroom is not the same as working in an office...

In the office, I walked in- found a safe location to stash my purse, hung up my coat, and settled into my chair, sipping coffee while waiting for my computer to boot up, composing myself before I had to actually interact with anyone.

In the classroom, I walk in- found myself assaulted with hugs and chants of Carri's Here! and lil ones asking for help with dress up clothes all while trying to hold my purse, coat and coffee mug out of there reach until time permits for a safe location to be found for stashing them.

In the office, I checked email, phone messages and made to do lists several times throughout the day.

In the classroom, email? maybe a few times a week; the phone is ringing? Well can't answer that since I'm across the room dealing with poop or boogers or a wrestling match; to do lists? haha ha...although I do get to spend time every day writing names, drawing pictures and rolling playdough.

In the office, I chose my daily coffee mug based on which image made me laugh. Filled it to the top with yummy hot coffee and sipped on it at my leisure. Too cold? Let me walk to the breakroom for a refill. Too hot? I'll take a moment to just sit here and blow on it till its cool enough.

In the classroom, I choose my daily coffee mug based on its durability. Will it resist spilling as it gets jostled in my arms during the assault of welcoming toddlers? Will it retain most of the dark liquid gold when it is knocked off the table onto the ground? and hot coffee...Ha thats overrated. A good swig of cold coffee- thats refreshing for the senses!

In the office, I never questioned the safety of my coffee sitting on my desk.

In the classroom, I glance over to see one precocious toddler leaning over and taking a big swig of my coffee!

In the office, I counted packets of information, dollars in the budget, and hours until the end of the day.

In the classroom, I count wiggly children ALL day long. We have 12 toddlers, are they all here? Did 12 make it down the stairs for lunch? Did 12 make it outside during the mad rush of a fire drill?

In the office, to use the restroom, I walked down the hall, into the bathroom and locked the door.

In the classroom, to use the restroom I first count the children, subtract 6 to find the number I need to take with me in order to maintain ratio. Write up a list of everyone's name in order to assure I don't leave anyone behind. Count again (yep I have the 4 I need) Walk to the office, Have the children sit and NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. Finish my business as quickly as possible all the while listening for noises of impending doom from the 4 children who are no longer sitting and NOT TOUCHING ANYTHING. Put the office supplies back to the order they were in before my 4 hooligans arrived. Count the children (still have 4) and walk back to the room.

In the office, I watched from the warmth of climate controlled air as snow gently floated down covering the white surface in all its glory.

In the classroom, I give in to chants of snow, snow, snow! I spend 30 minutes bundling up 12 toddlers...removing shoes, pulling on snow pants, stomping feet into boots, flipping on jackets, tugging down hats and fastening up mittens. Bundle myself up. Trudge down the slippery sidewalk and let them loose to play in the wonderful world of white...for 10 minutes until they are all "too cold"

In the office, I got "reviewed" every January and July.

In the classroom, I get reviewed every day. With hugs and kisses and lil ones who don't want to leave.

We've been waiting for this day!

For weeks now (ever since we brought out the wintery type books from storage) the toddlers have been asking

Where's Snow?

Snow tomorrow?

Snow right now?

One lil lady even got into a heated discussion with her parents as to whether or not snow would be coming tomorrow (and this was weeks ago, when it was 60*) her parents thought she was nuts, I happened to agree while taking the blame for her presumption that it would be snowing tomorrow.

You see we've been reading these books multiple times a day, 5 days a week for over a month. And our standard answer to the questions posed is that Snow is coming soon. Not today but one day very soon.

Then yesterday (on picture day none the less) it came. After smiling pretty for pictures (changing out of our fancy clothes into more appropriate romping through the snow clothes) we began bundling up.

20 minutes later there were 22 boots, 11 coats, 22 mittens, 11 hats adorning the toddlers. We even managed to keep all our gear on as we walked down the slippery path to the playground. And boy were we excited. We stomped in the snow, threw chunks of ice and pretended to be skating on the slippery surface. We lasted 30 minutes (for those counting, thats only 10 min longer than it took to get ready) then the snotty tears started flowing

I'm cold

My hands are freezing (if you actually wear your gloves instead of insisting on carrying them, it might help)

My body hurts (calling you out on being a liar here lil one, but nice try)

So trudge back down the slippery path, made even more perilous as we tried to find stable footing through tear filled eyes. Take off all our gear (only took 5 minutes to get off) and relaxed in the warmth of our heated classroom.

I've often said that naptime restarts the day. During the dark, music filled hour something resets. Sometimes this works to our advantage as the grumpy toddler is replaced by a smiling, eager friend ready to play. Sometimes not so much and we wonder what grumpy spirit possessed our sweet lil one during their nap. Apparently, during nap these toddlers had forgotten how outraged they were after 30 minutes in the snow. They had forgotten about their icy hands and cold feet. They had forgotten the 20 minute wrestling match to get dressed in all the gear. They only remembered the stomping, the throwing and the skating.

Snow gone?

Where'd snow go?

I miss snow? (accompanied with a few tears)

Snow come back?

I want snow! (accompanied with angry foot stomping)

Rest assured lil ones the snow will come back. And soon there will be snow filled scenes just like our favorite books. But for now can we just enjoy frolicking in the flurries that melt away during lunch?

Cause soon it will look like this Sigh...