Mind Bump

     Some days I really feel the need to write, but then I can't think of anything to write about.  Yeah, there is always something going on at home or school that I could discuss at length, but I do that all the time.  And my writing books are full of creativity-building exercises, but I don't care to publish those.  So I went surfing on the web and found a website for blog post prompts. After clicking through several suggestions, I landed on one that said, "I dare you to write about the next prompt to come up."  Well.  It was a dare, so I clicked and got this:

"The top 5 things to rant about and end up with a blog post :)"

     Me...rant?  Are you kidding?  I can easily come up with five things to rant about: 

1.  FCAT Testing as a way to assess entire school districts, not just students.
2.  The ever-increasing price of groceries.  (What the devil are they making cereal out of that costs five bucks?)
3.  The ever-decreasing amout of parental accountability in my generation and the one following.
4.  Political campaigns that have become mudfights offering insults but no plans for positive change.
5.  Our country's current welfare system that has enabled yet another generation of check-happy people with no work ethic.

     See.  That was easy.  But I don't feel like writing about these things because that just gets me all riled up about stuff I cannot do much about and I've learned not to dwell on the negative.  So, I'm going to go wake up the kiddies and read them some Dr. Seuss.  That's bound to inspire something!

To My Class of 2025

Dear Class of 2025,

     As the school year draws to a close, I frequently find myself looking around our classroom with a lump in my throat.  The time has gone by so quickly and I am overwhelmed with emotion.  We have all grown so much over the past nine months, physically and developmentally, and I just want you to know that you have taught me as much as I have taught you...maybe more.  When we first met last August, I was as inexperienced as you were.  Yes, I had taught for 15 years, but I hadn't ever borne the responsibility of attending to all the needs of children while also getting them ready for a lifetime of learning.  Now, with only two weeks left in this school term, I am so pleased to be able to say I did it and you're ready!
     The first lesson you taught me was that it is not about me.  Not at all.  From the first day, I knew that it didn't matter what else I had going on in my life or how how little sleep I had gotten or how badly my knees hurt, your needs were my priority.  As soon as I hit the door of the cafeteria, you were all over me with hugs, requests and complaints.  All day long you were hungry, had to go potty, needed to tell me something, missed your mama, were mad, were sad, needed a hug, needed a tissue, didn't want to ride the bus, didn't want to stay for after school, wanted to stay for after school, wanted to play outside, wanted to play inside and wanted to go home.  This was a big adjustment for me.  I was used to having older kids come into my classroom with a known set of expectations for behavior and performance as well as a known consequence for non-compliance.  You all had no expectations and no accountability.  You were four years old and I was your first educational experience.  Twenty little egos were a huge reality check for me.
     Next, you taught me about compassion and generosity.  I've gone through life thinking I could relate to what others must be going through or understand how others live.  But, by watching and listening to what some of you have communicated about experiences you've had in your few years in this world, I realize that I've had blinders on.  I have projected my perceptions and experiences onto others and have misjudged them (and you) more often than I am comfortable admitting.   I'm working on that, but in the meantime I have been trying to give back some of the blessings that I have received by sharing with you.  When there were things lacking in our materials, I found them for you, whether I had to go to the administration, the Pre-K office, my very generous friends or my own wallet.  I spent far more than I was allowed to deduct on my taxes this year but it didn't matter because we needed it.  Along with that, I required you to share with each other.  Especially at breakfast!  I really hope that sense of generosity has become part of you and that you will continue to share with others throughout your lives.
     The greatest lesson that I have learned is that we can do anything we set our minds to.  Last August I was unsure of myself and my ability to actually teach something academic and manage a class of my own.  And then, when I met some of you who didn't yet speak English, I was completely intimidated.  But you taught me that as long as I showed up at school with a plan for the day and maintained a routine, we could get a lot accomplished.  And we did!  I am incredibly proud of you all.  You have learned letters, sounds, numbers, shapes, colors, songs, dances, sight words, how to write your name, how to write letters and numbers, how to play tether ball and that baby dolls don't go in the freezer.  But more importantly you've learned to share, take turns, ask for help, use a fork, walk in line (sort of) and listen when your teacher is talking.  Some of you have even learned to communicate in English!
     Next year I will have a new class that I will do all of these same things with, but you, my very first Pre-K class, will always hold a special place in my heart.  You've been great teachers for me:

     Alia, the first few weeks of school I would have sold you to the highest bidder!  You were incorrigible!  But I learned how to meet you half-way and so we both got what we wanted.  You taught me about fostering friendships as I taught you about making friends.  To have a friend you first need to know how to be one.  No le pueges a tus amigos!  I also learned that if I made you a box of your own art supplies you were less apt to stuff mine into your backpack! 

     Jamarion and Aaron, you guys taught me about need.  The need to be seen,  to be loved and to matter to someone every day.  I learned the true meaning of "food is love" and cannot count the cartons of milk and leftover snacks I snuck into your backpacks. When school started you two drove me nuts with your loud, bossy attitudes and I prayed that you would be absent a lot.  But over time I learned that these were all cries for attention and when I gave you the right kind of attention you gave back with academic and social success.  I am so proud of you both and pleased that you had the lowest absentee rates in the class!

     Omare, you taught me about patience and picking my battles.  I now understand that there is just no way some little boys can sit criss-cross-applesauce in a carpet square for more than 35 seconds.  They just can't.  So I had to learn to make an accommodation without letting all the others who were able to sit there think that your behavior was okay for them as well.  You are so incredibly bright and too cute for your own good and that made my task really challenging.  I trust that you will eventually be able to walk in line, but until then I am not going to worry about it. 

     Asly, this is just between you and me so you can't tell anyone, but you taught me about favoritism.  I have been fond of many students over the years and had a few teacher's pets, but you are my very first favorite student.  I know that probably doesn't sound fair, but I also know that it happens to even the most stoic of veteran teachers.  You came to class in August speaking very little English and were almost as incorrigible as Alia.  Now you have friends, share, know most of the letters and sounds as well as sight words and you don't talk to me in Spanish anymore.  Sometimes I cannot believe how much English you've learned in such a short time.  You follow me everywhere, imitate much of what I do and make me feel like the most awesome person in your world.  That's why you often found little treats in your backpack at the end of the day!  I am going to miss you, my little shadow.  Shhhhh.....

     Dyana and Ruby, you two sweet beautiful girls have taught me about how important it is to not put too much pressure on ourselves.  It is okay to give the occasional incorrect response or to not be chosen  to be a classroom helper.  It doesn't mean you aren't as good, it just means it wasn't your turn.  And that is okay. 

Jared, you taught me that some days we just need to let go and laugh.  I never met a happier kid than you!  Your ability to get excited about everything is amazing and I hope you never lose it.  You enthusiastically approach everything we do and even if you don't do things exactly how you envision (like cutting on the dotted line,) you don't get upset.  You have no idea how many times your "oh oh...it's okay" lifted my spirits on a rough day.

     To all of you, this has been a busy and challenging year, but we have persevered and made it to the finish line.  I am incredibly proud of each of you and grateful for the many ways you have helped me to be a better teacher and a better person.  I look forward to seeing you in the Fall with your new teachers...and you'd better come hug me in the cafeteria!

Sincerely and with love,

Miss Boykin