I kicked off #springbreak2018 with a sleepover on the couch with my husband and Blue. The boys fell asleep around 9:30 so I started watching the new CW T.V show Life Sentence staring Lucy Hale. THE SHOW IS SO GOOD! It officially made my very small list of T.V shows I actually watch during the work week!
MONDAY D E T A I L S
Top: H&M- Old – Similar | Jeans: Nordstrom Rack – Similar | Shoes: Target (size 7.5) | Earrings: J.Crew Factory
TUESDAY D E T A I L S
Top: Target (size xsmall)| Pants: Old Navy (size 0r) | Shoes: Amazon (size 7.5) | Earrings: Target
WEDNESDAY D E T A I L S
Top: H&M (size 2) | Jeans: Gap (size 24 r) | Shoes: Nordstrom Rack – Similar
THURSDAY D E T A I L S
Top: H&M sold out – Similar | Joggers: Arizita (size xxs) – Similar | Shoes: Target-old – Similar | Bag: Kate Spade | Earrings: Amazon
FRIDAY D E T A I L S
Top: Target (size xsmall) | Jeans: Nordstrom Rack (size 23) | Shoes: H&M (size 7)
I must admit, this was the easiest week before a break in the history of breaks. Actually… it was the easiest week I’ve had in the last 3 months. Last week I shared how I had a choice to make about the type of teacher I believe myself to be. It was the right choice. It’s always hard to erase the doubt, especially if you’re a rule follower like me, but sometimes it’s what we have to do to be the change.
It feels like positive changes have already started to happen within my environment. The change I know for certain is what changed inside of me: I am more than a pawn in the giant game of public education. I am starting to believe, through my distracts actions, that teachers are highly valued. I know not a lot of teachers can say that and that’s wrong. Seeing and hearing what is happening in many states across our country is devastating for teachers and kids… I feel lucky to work in a place that values me, my work, and our students. It’s possible and I can’t wait to celebrate when all our states and districts get there.
On a different note, one of my teachers beliefs was confirmed this week. I believe that every second we are on the clock, we are teaching. Kids watch us like hawks. They analyze our every move and mirror and internalize our emotions, our language, and our beliefs. I think that belief is what pushes me past all the disruptive behavior I experience every 90 seconds. It’s basically my burn out prevention belief.
I have three very sweet and internal girls who I serve academically and six very disruptive boys I serve academically, behaviorally, or both. I’ve had all the same kids since last October and they are all going to the same middle school, too. We’ve all spent a lot of learning time together. Our lessons are constantly interrupted by the phone ringing, me having to attend to an emergency, verbal outburst, or physical objects flying across the room. Sometimes I worry about how the disrupting behavior is hurting the learning of the others in my group, who are excited and ready to learn.
On Tuesday one of my little ladies came in from recess a.k.a mean girls cafeteria scene every day, and shared a boy in another class said some AWFUL things about her. She shared he told her she was fat (which she’s not), she’s stupid (which she’s not), and she has no friends (which again, is not true). Last year, this would have had her in tears and asking to go to the counselors office. I asked, “How are you feeling? What can I do to support you?” She said, “Nothing. Maybe we can have him come to lunch? He’s really hurting. Hurt people, hurt people.” I’m starting to tear up just thinking about this moment.
She’s ten. A boy said hurtful and detrimental comments to her, comments we have all probably heard in our youth and classrooms. Instead of believing what she heard was true, she believed he was hurting and SHE wanted to show him love. She’s amazing.
Hurt people, hurt people is something I say weekly. The phrase, “I see you are hurting right now, _____________” is something I say at least 5 times a day. How I respond to “challenging” students is teaching my students how to treat others AND themselves. I am constantly trying to model that the only person that has control over my feelings and emotions is me. It makes me think of the ancient saying, “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.” When a chair is thrown at me, yah that kind of hurts… but their words don’t.
The next time, you are faced with a disrupting or disrespectful student, try to stop yourself to think about what your interaction is about to teach ALL students. What virtues are you modeling and teaching in your classrooms? It’s hard and uncomfortable at first, but I swear, it gets easier. If we show the “bad” or “challenging” kids words hurt us, they will always hurt other kids. If we show they need to be removed, they will always be seen as not belonging. To me, that sounds like the cycle continuing and growing. We have the power to break that for ourselves, ALL our students, and ultimately our society. Being a teacher is a pretty big deal 🙂
I’m so excited to be taking a vacation to the couch this spring break. I have a lot of posts to edit and write this break. Happy Saturday!
