Teachers repost

It has been 8 years since i began my journey  and new cqreer in education. I still love every minute of it. I love all my students and the faculty. I have made wonderful friends that i consider extended  family. Facebook reminded me of this post 5 years ago. And now I am a part of the faculty and still having fun. I want to repost this from 5 years ago..


You know that this makes the 3rd year that I have been substituting at my old Junior High. I never knew how much I would love this kind of work. It just suits me. I think that sometimes the different seasons of your life dictate of where you should be. The problem with that is I never prepared to be a teacher. For that reason, I take the lower pay and only do this part time. Most of the students love me and that is important. What I cannot get over is how the faculty and administrators treat me. I feel Golden and that doesn't mean in years. I am treated with so much respect and appreciation. They do not understand that I feel privileged to stand in for those that give so much.

I blame my danged old condition preventing me from continuing my education so that I can stand amongst the heroes that are called "Teachers". I know that I am not stupid, and eventually I might make it through. But now that I am 53, by the time I would graduate, if I could find a job, I would not be able to enjoy the kids but for a few years. You don't understand, I would have to go to remedial college before I could start real classes. So I get the best next thing. I get to share. Share the fun of being in these kids lives, possibly making a difference without all the baggage. I get to have the fun without the junk. I get to leave the paper work and administrative duties to the teachers. I don't have to deal with the parents and administrators.

I hope to make a difference and shine a light into that student that might be struggling. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a child believe that I believe in him or her. You can just tell sometimes when you make a connection. You know that teachers need more money. But now I understand why they are still working without that raise. It comes from the heart.

I also get the opportunity to work side by side with the teachers. When I am working for a Para, that means I am in class with the real Teacher. I try to take away something from each opportunity I get. Thank you for giving me so much as you do your job.

A few more weeks of working in the severely handicapped class, and then I am back out in the general population. I love all sides of this job. So it doesn't matter which class I work in. But I do like to mix it up. To see the kids in different dynamics. Most of the teachers only see them in one situation. How they behave in their classes could be different depending on the mix of children in that hour. Is it before or after lunch? Do they love math, or is it their Achilles Heel? Maybe reading is where they shine. For me I see them differently on a daily basis.

So I will continue, for as long as they let me, to come in and enjoy these wonderful kids. Hopefully they won't realize I am not "Golden" for as long as I want to be there. 

Father's Day

Happy Father's day to all those Dad's out there. I have written about my dad and will probably repeat it to honor him tomorrow. But I think I want to honor some other fathers in my life.

My son...He has 5 children and he is the most awesome Dad I know. Watching him love his kids is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. From the very first time he held Ryan in his arms you could see he was going to be great. He has always been a big boy, but his heart is bigger.

 I don't know many men that are as sensitive as he is. When he was a teenager, one of his favorite movies was "The Phantom Of The Opera". I know that isn't normal. I know too many boys. About this same time, he was planning what he wanted to do with his life. I can remember when I ask him what he wanted to be...what was he going to do with his life. His answer was "I just want to be a Dad."

Wendy met him when she was a junior in high school and he was a senior. She knew right away that she wanted him to be her husband. This is in the day and age when kids were not getting married right out of high school anymore. But they fell deeply in love and there was no talking them out of it.
Right away they had their first baby. Then number 2, 3 4, and 5. After 4 boys, Wendy finally got her baby girl. This is funny as Lloyd never wanted a girl. He always said they were nothing but trouble.

Now she has him wrapped around her little finger as most little girls do. She is all ribbons and bows, but she will drop kick you where it hurts. If anyone ever hurts that beautiful little girl, just pity the poor fool.

They have 3 boys on the Autism Spectrum. This is a challenge as well as a blessing. Wendy and Lloyd make a perfect team. I know that it isn't an easy life, however they make it look easy. Watching my son love his children is one of my greatest joys. He learned about being a dad from his own dad and his Pa. This is a testament of their love for him.

Mother's Day or Money Day?

Once again it is nearing another one of those "made up for money" holidays. We call it Mother's Day. Hallmark and Teleflora calls it Cha Ching! We have been urged, pushed and shamed to shower our mothers with gifts. We have been made to believe that if we love our mother, we must spend lots of money to honor her.

 I don't need another knick knack, plaque, trophy. I don't need them to spend their money to buy me a bouquet of flowers. I would rather them spend that money on my grandchildren or themselves. My children honor me every single day. Each day they use compassion for a stranger or someone with less, they honor me. The love that they raise their children with, that honor's me. I can see that they are raising their children to be respectful and compassionate, they honor me. When I see the loving, caring parent that they have become, I am honored.

So this Mother's Day, I hope they save their money. If they want to "honor" me this day, an "I love you" and a hug will be enough.