This week was Teacher Appreciation week and I didn't really understand what that meant until yesterday.
Tuesday, the parents of our students brought us desserts and cards, Wednesday, we had lunch provided to us from the admin. staff, Thursday was picture day and Friday was breakfast and all other types of yum yums for all teachers throughout the entire day. It was wonderful and it made me definitely feel appreciated.
On Wednesday, one of my little ones, Nala*, was extra hyperactive. Now, Nala is the youngest child in my class, she is a social butterfly, she is always jumping up from her seat, calling out and butting into disciplinary things (she'll "back me up" when I'm disciplining a student). She has intense ADD and when she's not getting an answer correct or is being disciplined, she pouts; she's a hard core pouter. I've been trying to break her of the pouting all year. It's been a long and challenging battle; and Wednesday was a rough pouting, calling out, hyperactive day for Nala.
So I tried a different angle. I pulled her out of class, had her sit in a chair and I squatted down to her level and said, "Listen, Nala, we need to work on something. You know what we need to work on?" (cue pouting as she shakes her head no). "Well, we need to work on not calling out. Our brains can't grow if we're calling out, can they?" (still pouting, she doesn't respond - insert different angle here).
"You're not in trouble, Nala, I just want to talk...you wanna know a secret that Mr. McMahon doesn't even know about?" (she perks up). "Well, I was just like you when I was 4. I called out, I would get so excited about talking to my friends and yelling out the answer. I was just like you. I wanted to talk to everyone." (she smiles, "Ms. Katie, you were? Are we like twins?")
I laughed but explained, "Nala, I know it's hard. It's really hard, but that's why I want to help you, OK? We'll help remind each other not to call out, OK?" (She jumped down from the chair, gave me a huge hug and yelled, "Thank you, Ms. Katie!")
I'm not sure if she got it, but in that moment, I did. 20 years later, I get it. Thank you, Mrs. Macher, Mrs. Derryberry, Ms. Neleigh, Ms. Wolf, Mr. Ferris and Mrs. Farr for being so incredibly patient with my ADD self. Thank you for exhausting every option and trying every possible strategy to get me to stay in my seat, stop calling out and having side conversations. I get it now. I know you were probably frustrated with me, I wasn't always your favorite student either, for that matter, and I'm sure you just wished I could park it and shut up sometimes; but thank you. You never showed it. You never made me feel isolated or like a burden. I am a a better teacher and person because of the patience you showed to me. I am able to help Nala because of you.
I was thinking about how students usually go back and talk to their teachers after they've graduated from high school. Ya know, to check in, catch up and thank them. Well, that doesn't really happen for Elementary teachers. I mean, I've never gone back to see any of my Elementary teachers; none of the amazing people listed above who essentially navigated my social skills and behavior. So in honor of teacher appreciation week, I want to thank them and even though I can't go back tomorrow to thank you in person, thank you for your patience and kindness with me. You do a lot and work really hard and I appreciate all your hard work and investment in me.
*Name has been changed
