Wednesday, August 19, 2015

What they want is our time

Disclaimer:  I started this post a couple weeks ago and am just now publishing it.

*****

It's August, and I feel like I haven't done nearly enough to get ready for the beginning of school.  Most of my summers have been spent in conferences around the state and/or planning for that new prep I'm about to take on.

This coming year (Year #7) will be my first year teaching exactly what I taught the previous year, and so I've let that be an excuse just to be lazy this summer.  That and I'm pregnant, which I feel is a valid excuse for just about anything these days.  And so now, it's August.  And because I'm prone to guilt, I've been feeling rather convicted about this laziness.

Until a student of mine called me up today.

Her reason?  She wanted to ask my permission to call me her mentor, because that's what she's been calling me all summer as she's counseled young girls at camp.

I don't do particularly well with flattery.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it as much as the next gal, but in the moment, I never know how to respond.  I'm trying this new thing where I just sit and listen and let the person tell me what they want to tell me.  Usually all I can muster up is a weak, "Thank you," or "I'm so honored..."  It all sounds so pathetic in light of their gracious words.

As I sit here, trying to remember exactly what this girl told me, all that's really coming to mind is her gratitude to me for taking time for her.  That's all.

I'm attempting to put my thoughts into words mostly for my future self, as a reminder.  Rebecka:  the hours you spend planning a single lesson or activity, it's all well and good (and necessary--the kids need to see this passion).  But the time you spend helping your kids understand how important they are to you...that's what they really remember.

So, my advice to both my current and future self:  Stop stressing so much.  Stop feeling guilty for taking time to relax and recuperate.  And start focusing on how you'll love on this year's group of kids.

Sometimes I think we live under the impression that we can't be too friendly or too nice or too "buddy buddy" with our students:  we're their teachers, not their friends; we need their respect.

Yes, we need their respect.  But, have you ever respected someone you didn't like?  Especially as a kid or as a teenager?

I want to take more time this year to ask about my kids' families, pets, hobbies, and jobs.  I want them all to know that I'm invested in them and that I care about them.  Because that's what they'll remember about math class.

I don't really care whether or not they remember the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus ten years from now.  I care about whether or not they felt safe, loved, and welcomed in Mrs. Peterson's classroom.  That's what I want them to remember:  that they were a priority.

*****

So, as the first day of school approaches tomorrow (AH!), my prayer is that we would bond as a class and as friends faster than ever before.  That mutual respect, love, and admiration would abound.  That we would all recognize that every single person has something to teach us.  That we would be better together than apart.

That I would give my kids my time and my undivided attention.

25 comments:

  1. I am really lucky and happy for using the tips about interview with mary liames. So, we are enjoying these reviews and mathematics essays services. That's really fun and interesting for our students.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am quite sure they will learn lots of new stuff here than anybody else. free vip on hungry shark evolution with the hack tool

    ReplyDelete
  3. We will be inclined to location unit the agency providing you the most effective services regarding inside a short amount. In USA you will realize U.S. Everyplace, every city and 24/7.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I thank you for the information and articles you provided

    ReplyDelete
  5. It’s difficult to find experienced people in this particular topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks 경마사이트

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read post! 토토

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wooden Sofa: Buy Wooden Sofa Set Online in India from CustomHouzz. Choose a best Range of Wooden Sofa set online at best price. Customhouzz provide you best furnitue online & get Upto 40% off.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dressing Table: Buy Wooden Dressing Table Online at Best Price in India, Browse our modern dressing table with storage online with greate deals & Offer. Custom Houzz provide you best furniture online in India. Shop Now!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Buy Cabinets and sideboards can be placed anywhere in your home. At Custom Houzz you will find bedroomcabinets, chest of drawers,prayer units, bar cabinets & many more Collection.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Searching for Women Nightwear online in india which gave you a comfort with stylist look explore a wide range of women's loungewear sets at parchhai nightwear provides you most comfortable sleep during night time also it's help in boosting up the confidence in yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Buy Sharara Suits online for women. Parchhai is offering latest design sharara suits online in India for ladies/women, our product are perfect combination of quality price, what are you waiting for shop with us today and grab the exciting deals on your favourite design suits.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This really is an incredibly amazing powerful resource that you’re offering and you just provide it away cost-free!! I comparable to discovering websites that view the particular price of providing you beautiful learning resource for zero cost. We truly dearly loved examining this web site. Be thankful!
    야설

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi there, You have done an excellent job. 일본야동 I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Students will get the links to Download All Chapter of CBSE 11th Exemplar 2022, Get here CBSE Class 11 Books 2022 in PDF form. Students can Download the PDF at free of cost and take Advantage of it while Preparing for CBSE Board Exam. India Wide Many State Education Boards and the CBSE Recommend and follow these Textbook’s syllabus. The Content that CBSE books Provide is what most of the Exam Papers in the CBSE Curriculum are Based on. Students our Website lot of options available for lot of Books and we here are Trying to Provide you with one page that Serves CBSE Class 11 students with free downloadable. CBSE 11th Class Textbook All the chapters of CBSE Class 11 Textbooks 2022 are Available for Download. With this Article, Students can Download the Complete Pdf of all Subject English, Environmental Studies, Hindi, Mathematics Chapters Wise. CBSE Exemplar Class 11 Book 2022 are very important for CBSE class 11th Examination 2022.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I also found your posts very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for this blog, I really enjoyed reading your post.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is the exact information I am been searching.

    ReplyDelete

  18. thank you again for allowing me to read these posts, and have a nice day today. Thank youuu.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you. I have a lot of interesting ideas. I want you to look at the post I wrote

    ReplyDelete
  20. Such an amazing and helpful post. I really really love it

    ReplyDelete
  21. such a great blog. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This website and I conceive this internet site is really informative ! Keep on putting up!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello Dear, are you really visiting this web site regularly, if so after that you will definitely obtain pleasant experience

    ReplyDelete

Tell me what you think!