Joker vs. Batman

So when I interviewed for my teaching job, one of the teachers told me that the hardest part of teaching was having to be the Joker. I laughed it off and moved on. But now, I'm starting to see.

It really stinks having to be the bad cop. Thus far in my life, I have been pretty successful at being the mediator/good guy/Batman. My LEAST favorite part of teaching is having to drop the hammer.

Now when a little bee is being truly bad and deserves a consequence, I have no problem. I can be tough. It's when one of the little bees does something wrong on accident or shows extreme remorse that I struggle. I cannot play favorites or move on--I have to give them a consequence, too. And then they look at you with those puppy eyes, "Miss P, why would you do this to me?" they cry out to me.

It's hard because I'm all trying to shape them into productive citizens, help develop their moral code, and be tough but fair (blah, blah, blah). I really just want to scoop them up and tell them I love them and buy them ice cream so they won't be mad at me. I mean, it's really hard to go from people pleaser to stern disciplinarian. I can tell stories where I'm all hardcore, but that's when I'm working with a bee that I really love that I struggle. :(

Anywho, these past two days have been a little blue just because I've had to be really tough with my little precious ones. Oh, and my new night class started, and it's much harder than anticipated. I am trying to focus on the positive FB glow, but it's rapidly fading. Say a prayer than I can handle the pressure of being Joker. Sleep well!

Back to School!

Wasn't fall break happy? Wasn't it blissful? I CANNOT Believe it is over.

I know, I know. Most people do not get a FB at all. I do not know how I survived before this. It was absolutely wonderful.

However, now I'm back to school. Things are happy. I really did miss my little bees. They are being very good today. I'm showing them how much they've grown in reading during the short time that we've been working together. So far, they are thrilled. By far the best part of my teaching so far came before fall break when I called a grandparent and told them their grandson had moved up two whole letters in their reading level. Seeing his face as I bragged on him was just the most wonderful blessing a person could ask for.

Happy times. FB was good, but I'm glad to be back. Happy Monday!!

Where has October gone?

I cannot believe it's October 14th! LL's birthday has come and gone on the 12th. (Happy 18th!!) I feel like it was October 1st just the other day. Don't even get me started on how fast this week has gone by. Geezle. It's ridiculous.

Now, I'm two days away from Fall Break (Our last day with the bees is Thursday!) and nowhere near being ready. I still have at least 10 more kids to test, and I have a 4.5 page paper due tomorrow for my night class.

However, this does mean that I'm getting verra verra excited for all the glorious time off. I am still trying to decide if I am going to go anywhere. I would love to do a little 3 day trip with the granster and mom. Who knows if that will happen??

It's raining here, and I love rainy days. Hope you're having a happy day, too!

So far, so good!

Happy weekend with the fam! Lots of good Nashville eating (J. Alexanders, Dotson's, Vittles) and lots of exploration (the Hermitage, downtown Franklin, Henry Horton state park). All happy times, especially a special family experience on Sunday... :)

My dad's favorite part was the Hermitage (which was Andrew Jackson's home). He's a total history buff and was full of Old Hickory trivia. For mom, LL, and me trudging through the extensive farm/slave quarters/garden in the rain in church shoes was not the most fun. However, we have to make pops happy.

Mom and LL loved Franklin. The precious shops and restaurants. I visited Natticakes, which needs to be on anyone's list of Franklin-musts. Also, see Bathos, Shoppe on Main, and Lulu's. Sooo cute. My cousin (who lives there) even agreed it's almost creepy how cute it is.

Now, I'm back to school. All of the sickly teachers have returned, and things are back to normal. I am so thankful--I really missed them last week. My first group went SMASHINGLY, so here's hoping it's a happy week. Hope your Monday is going well, too!