Amazing Things

The students are working on research projects on incredible Americans in history. Teresa is studying Eleanor Roosevelt, and she told our librarian all about her life- her alcoholic father, the deaths of her parents and brother, etc.

Here is her wise-beyond-her-years wisdom: "It just goes to show you: You can still do amazing things even if your life is all messed up."

Cockroaches and Craziness

Yesterday, after recess, Diana suddenly raised her hand and said calmly, "I see a cockroach."

I replied with, "Is it alive or dead?" (We often have cockroaches come out to just die).

"It's alive."

Angelie jumps on her chair, but I go on over, asking Alex to bring me a cup. It's a LARGE cockroach... about four inches long. I ask Alex if he can put the cup on top of the cockroach. He tries twice, both times having the cockroach flip the cup off itself. I grab a nearby bowl and set it on top of the cup once it's in place, though the cockroach is still fighting. A couple of the kids are trying to get a better look, so I have to tell them to sit, etc. Finally, I ask, "Who would be willing to squash the cockroach?" Alex is right next to me, and says "I will, I will!" but after he realizes the idea of putting his foot on top of that giant monster, he says, "Never mind... I change my mind." Samantha then volunteers, and comes over smiling.

Me: "Samantha, are you sure about this? I don't want you to change your mind after we lift the cup."

Samantha: "No, I'm sure."

So, we lift the cup, and Samantha, true to her word, smashes that bastard cockroach with no mercy. The kids are cheering, and the cockroach's guts are splayed about. Before I could do anything, Samantha lifts her shoe and ... SNIFFS it. Gross.

After everything is back in place and we're back to our seats, Samantha gets a worried look on her face. "Miss Sells, am I going to get rabies now?"


Later in the day, Marck asks, "Miss Sells, why do you always get the crazy kids?"

Me: "What do you mean?"

Marck: "Every year you get the weird kids."

Me: "I think the real question is, do I get the crazy kids, or do I just bring out the craziness in you?"

Teresa: "Yes! That has to be it! I was not crazy in second grade and NOW look at me!!"


I love my job.

Don't Underestimate the Coniving Eight-Year-Old

So, I have this fabulous student named Samantha, who I absolutely adore. In fact, I had her brother last year.

Her brother had an attention problem and was a resource student. I remember one time when I took him outside to talk to him privately about listening and following directions. When I asked, "Do you understand what I'm telling you?" he looked at me and said, "Your hair looks funny in the wind."

Anyway, Samantha is MUCH brighter than her brother, but has similar tendencies toward distraction. She's constantly playing with her hair or looking closely at her shoes, etc. She's very bright, but I've also caught her several times being malicious. The first week of school, one of my students was reading in a chair and she walked over and simply pushed him off of it. I still have no idea why.

Yesterday, I was having problems with her during centers cheating at the games or laughing when other people only rolled a one, etc. I pulled her aside to talk to her about her behavior. Her eyes began welling up with tears and she took on this wounded puppy dog look. It was heartbreaking, but I get a special thrill when my talks result in an emotional response. As I was finishing, I saw her lips quiver and suddenly she BEGAN LAUGHING. She was FAKE crying. She had learned already how to fake cry. I could not believe it.

So- sweet little girl, or spawn of Satan? Hard to say.

(On a tangental note, this reminded me of my youth when I cried over everything [I still do]. My dad used to tell me I was "turning on the waterworks", but I honestly felt like my crying was justified every time-- him telling me I was faking just made me feel even more sorry for myself and cry harder. This child really does just turn it on.)

Run-In with the Cynical

Sort-of funny story:

Yesterday, I was a perusing a new-find new and used bookstore, and I just happened to be in the education section, browsing. A woman walked by and said, "If you're considering a job in teaching, you should think again." Surprised, I just kind of looked at her, and she added, "Unless you're already in it..."

"Yes, I'm afraid it's too late for me!"

Woman: What do you teach?

Me: Third grade.

Woman: Me too. How long have you been teaching?

Me: This is my second year.

Woman: I've been teaching seven years.

Me: What makes you already advising others to stay away from the profession?

Woman: I love the kids. It's everything else that's driving me crazy. Especially the testing. I never thought I'd be like this, so early on in my career... And I have a hard time leaving things at home.

Me: I am having trouble with that, too.

Woman: No kidding! It's a Sunday, you're in a bookstore, and you're stuck in the Education section!

Anyway, it was interesting! Someone so against their OWN career that they would advise a complete stranger to stay away. I hope I didn't just see a future version of myself!