Eavesdropping

I know I am where I am meant to be. Throughout the day today students, teachers, and parents approached me about who I am as a teacher. All had positive things to say.  Eavesdrop on their comments and my thoughts.

“Mrs. Victor, you are my favorite teacher and I don’t even have you. I asked to be in your class, but I am too smart.”  ~ Random Student

It is all about building relationships. Every morning I am out in the hallway welcoming students. Sometimes even singing to them. I have made it my goal to get to know the names of all the students who have a homeroom in my wing.

“Your class is my favorite, Mrs. Victor! The time flies by in here.” ~ Student

Hands-on activities and making it fun are the keys to making time go flying by. Not only for the students, but for me as well.

“Mrs. Victor, I wanted to let you, your class is my daughter’s favorite class. She likes the activities you do and the way you have them reading and writing all the time.” ~ Teacher and Parent

The key to getting better at reading and writing is to spend time each day reading and writing. The students in this class are low in both of these areas. I do not preach the End-of-Grade test to them every day. We have fun reading and writing.

“Mrs. Victor. Mrs. Singleton picked a winner when she hired you. I wouldn’t say that about just anyone. You have something special.” ~ EC Teacher

I love my job! I love the students I work with. I enjoy finding new and creative ways to teach the material. The challenge of these student finding enjoyment in reading and writing appeals to me.

“Students are talking about you, Mrs. Victor. They really like your class.” ~ Teacher

It is more than my class. It is the positive way I interact with them. I have classes of students who tend to give teachers trouble. Yet, I have had no discipline issues with them. I don’t keep reminding them of the EOG. More importantly, I relate what we do to them as individuals.

“I saw you outside with your class today. They looked like they were having fun. I need some of that magic for my class. Can you tell me the secret?”

I would love to teach any teacher who is interested how to use the magic. That thought was spoken aloud. As a result, I will be presenting a workshop at our next Language Arts meeting.

“Language Arts has always been the class he has liked the least. He doesn’t like to read and write. All I know about Language Arts this year is that he came home one day and said you were the best teacher he has ever had.” ~ Parent

The transition has begun in this boy’s mind. Hopefully, he is looking at reading and writing in a new way. I will continue to find ways to connect both with subject matters that interests him.

I am nothing special. I have a passion for what I do and a love for the students I do it with. I like them, they know it, and that makes all the difference.

On another note, WE WON OUR FIRST GAME!