Thursday, April 15, 2010

teaching... it's a gift.

I teach. I am good at it. I love it. I teach first grade at a low income school in my city. I have always taught children like this. It is very hard. It is very challenging, but I love the outcome in the end and what difference I make in the life of a child each day.


Now, Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is having a Show us Your Life.This week is Teacher Gifts. She has these a lot, but this one was the first one to catch my eye. I KNOW about this topic! In my fantasy world, I would love to get gift cards to get a massage, a really good book, a dinner gift card, or a really cute snack basket I could keep at school. You know, something that has things they don't carry in the snack machine.

In my real world, I get used batteries. Half empty bottles of perfume. A school picture from kindergarten. An old necklace. A coffee cup from the dollar store.



I wouldn't trade this.



I make a huge.. read... HUGE deal when a child brings me a present. It just doesn't happen. My kid's parents don't have the money to even think about their child's teacher. I squeal, laugh, and downright almost cry when a child gets a gift and it is all wrapped or in a present bag. This past
Christmas I actually had two little girls get an outfit for my baby! I was beyond the moon.


I love my kids. I love the thought that my child put into my gift. "Man, Mrs. B likes coffee. I bet she would like this coffee filter!" My favorite thing is a sweet note that a child has really put effort into making. I get one weekly from a little girl that says "i love mrs. b. i love her husband. i love lucy clare. i love mrs. b mommy. Truly, i love them."


and this is why I teach.


So, for those of you who can afford a gift for your child's teacher, do it. I know that sometimes it would be nice to get a gift like I will give my child's teacher. (oh, to have a massage!)


The biggest gift I can ask for all teachers is prayer. We take home 18+ little peoples problems every night. I wonder what my kids eat when they get home. I wonder if anyone is even there with them. I wonder what they see in their neighborhoods. Please pray for them!



Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

12 comments:

donatelli98 said...

What a great post - I stumbled over to you blog from Kelly's Korner. Thanks for all you do to help make children's lives better!

Moe said...

What an awesome post. :) (I found your blog on Kelly's Korner show me your life post)

Your students are so lucky to have such a great teacher. "We take 18 people's problems home with us at night" - so sweet.

Have a wonderful day!!

Holly said...

What an awesome post!

I'm starting student teaching in a low income school on Monday morning. I'll be there for 5 weeks and I'm not QUITE sure what I'm in for, but I know it'll be quite an experience - I'm looking forward to it, but also nervous...

Claire said...

Such a great post. Bless you for all that you do.

Cxx

Unknown said...

What a really great post. My daughter is in a low income area school, but the school is a magnet school. When I spend time with her friends at the school, some of the things you hear them say break my heart and break my daughters heart. We do things for the teachers and her class mates for every holiday, no matter what holiday it is. I am glad I came across your post because it makes me glad to know that you appreciate every childs gift no matter what it is.

kristen said...

I love this post (and the one about blogs...I am a little behind:) It is definitely a gift and God has given it to you AND your sweet mom!

Mama Bear said...

I hear you!
I too worked in a low income area and know what you are talking about.

Summer said...

What a great post! It is teacher's like you that help in molding a child educationally and emotionally! Thanks for being such and AWESOME teacher! What great gifts you recieved! The gifts from the heart are always the best! Like a personalized letter from the child!

Your family is just presh and I looove your blog! I am your newest follower
Have a great weekend
Summer :0)

Jennifer said...

You brought tears to my eyes. This is why teachers are the best of the best. My children go to a very low-income school. In fact, the entire school gets free lunch *and* breakfast b/c so many students qualify. But kids are just kids, and although many of them have very difficult home lives, they have bright shining faces who are taught by some freakin fabulous teachers. I am on the parent committee and have done the teacher appreciation week for the staff. Where other schools have a nice budget for this, our budget is $200, for 65 staff, over 5 days. We just can't show them how much we truly appreciate them w/ that, but time and time again, while chocolate is always appreciated, a note or a picture will constantly bring tears to eyes, especially when done by the students. You certainly deserve a massage! And speaking as a parent, we'd love to be able chip in to get you one, but we are eternally grateful that you make our kids feel on top of the world even if they do give you used batteries, (or in my child's chase, a corner cut off of an envelope and gifted as a "bookmark") etc. Thanks for all that you do! You are priceless!

I'm Jamie said...

Praise the Lord for teachers with hearts like yours!

(random, the word verification for this is eduacher, which to me, looks like educate her;)

Rachel Moss said...

This is the best post I have read from this SUYL topic. I love your attitude towards your students. When I go back to the classroom next year, I hope that I will see the quirkier gifts I receive in a similar light.

Anonymous said...

What a great post! It made me tear up. Your students ar lucky to have you not only teaching them but loving them as well.

I found you through Kelly's post.