Little Things Make Me Happy

One of my students went to Gulf Shores with her family for vacation. She's a sweet and silly freshman girl that I've grown close to this year. Today was her first day back at school after being gone over a week. She walked up to me this morning and put something in my hand, it was a little dolphin that is made of sand and painted. She said, "I brought this back for you. I was shopping for my friends, buying little presents, and I was like, 'I have to get something for Ms. V!'" She was so excited about it. I told her that her thoughtfulness completely made my day, and it really did. I really do have the best job in the world.

Count Your Blessings

Yesterday, my Speech students had to write an impromptu speech about their dream Christmas. The only requirements were that it was at least 3 paragraphs long and that it include anything they could imagine for the best Christmas ever.

I heard everything from spending it with Megan Fox, to going to a tropical island, to getting a lifetime supply of candy. The kids are definitely funny, with big imaginations. One of my students, Billy, who is known for being tardy, getting into trouble, talking back, cussing, etc. rarely does his work. But yesterday, when I called on him, he walked up to the podium to read his speech. He said, "My dream Christmas would be to spend it with a family who loved me. I don't need no presents or nothing, I don't really care about the food either, just a family who doesn't yell." He looked at me and shrugged his shoulders and said, "That's all I could think of to write."

With all the technology and games and clothes and silly stuff we don't need, all he wanted was a family to love him. It really made me stop and realize just how lucky I am.

Reason #372 I Love Being a Teacher

My kids say the funniest things. Today in Speech class, my entire class was working quietly on their impromptu speeches. I let them listen to the radio or their MP3 players, as this makes them exponentially more productive. The song, "Falling for You," by Colbie Caillat came on the radio. One of my students, Ben, raised his hand. He said, "Um, Ms. V, sorry to interrupt, but I just want to say that if my heart could write songs, this is what they would sound like."

Aaaaaand, this is reason #372 why being a teacher is awesome.