Honestly

AnxiousAwkwardAwesome

Anxious
The thought of teaching kindergartners to paint...with tempra. I couldn't get out of bed this morning thinking of what a train wreck this was going to be. Today was a disaster to say the least, they only see me for thirty minutes and need at least that much time to clean up. Kids had paint in their hair, all over their hands, tables, chairs...everything. I still have two more kindergarten classes to teach this lesson to, practice makes perfect, I hope! Anxiety-ridden.

Thinking about if I'll have a teaching job next fall. All I want to do is teach. I'm done with the whole I-wonder-where-I'm-going-to-be-teaching-tomorrow feeling that comes with subbing. I've been grateful to be a sub for the past three years, but now that I've been certified for almost a year now, it's time to get crackin' on the job front. I hope to stay in the area, but this fall, I'll be will to go to any of the surrounding states. Anxious

Awkward
Walking around in a school I feel like I know pretty well, yet still not knowing anyone's name. Including teachers. Brooke! When is Mrs. W getting back? What are we supposed to do for the art fair? Where are the fifth grade quilting blocks?!?  I don't know who you are or what you're talking about. The art fair isn't for another month and a half. Calm down (okay, I didn't actually say that, I was much more tactful, but still.) Awkward.

A parent coming in to check her daughter's temperature during the crazy kindergarten painting-cleanup mess. It was embarrassing and made me look like I had absolutely NO classroom management skills, which isn't the case. Awkward.

A student farted a stinky one today. Other students were complaining about it. I didn't know what to do. Awkward.

I passed a student in the hallway Miss Christensen! I met your daughter! I don't have a daughter! Yes you do! I met her. No I don't. Yes you do. No I don't. Yes you do!...I left it at that. And no I don't have a daughter. Other teachers heard us arguing. Awkward.

Awesome
Teaching origami to first grade art club. I never was keen on folding fancy paper, but after teaching myself over the weekend, I thought the lesson would go well. The kids were so good, left my day on a high note because they're such enthusiastic paper folders. We made flapping butterflies and most of them turned out. It wasn't as easy as I thought, but the kids weren't disappointed, they still had fun. Such good little sports. Awesome.

The principal complimented me on doing a fabulous job in front of all the teachers during teacher in-service. Awesome.

I walked over to the sink to see why it was taking so long for everyone to was their hands and I noticed one of my students had three fingers on each hand, it doesn't hold him back. Awesome.

I received a notification that one of my students had something called leukomalacia, which effects his left side motor skills a little bit. I noticed it for the first time today. He's a sweet kid, but doesn't always listen. He asked me to help him wash his hands because he couldn't. It sounds weird, but it was really sweet. Awesome.

A student came in at recess and washed out ALL of the dirty paintbrushes and paint containers I threw in the sink. I offered him two pieces of candy and he wouldn't take them. I gave him a reward card. He helped me so much! Awesome.

Maternity Leave

A while back, I was contacted by an elementary teacher in the area. She said she was looking for a certified art teacher to take her spot for six weeks after she had her baby. We chatted on the phone for a bit and arranged for a time that I could meet up with her and observe her classes. I was thrilled, I'd never really taught elementary art before. I mean, in high school I would volunteer at an elementary school and teach art, but I knew the class really well, and it was only one class, it was a lot of fun too, but other than that, I've had no experience with elementary. I am certified to teach art K-12, even though I didn't student teach at an elementary level.

Needless to say, I was invited back to be the permanent substitute for this teacher! I was super excited for the experience. I'm nearing the end of the second week, and let me tell you, it hasn't been easy. I decided to make a pros and cons list, Jimmy Fallon style. Here it goes.

PROS                                                                                                  

No grading!
Student examples don't take more than an hour to make and everyone thinks I'm the best artist.
The kids are so dang cute and say the cutest things.
The kids draw pictures for me
The kids tell it how it is. ("You're the best art teacher ever!")
They're still afraid of the big, bad, teacher
Everyone is excited for every lesson
No one is afraid to take artistic risks. Really inspiring. I wish everyone had that much confidence.
Kids love to help. Before school, recess, you name it. I have helpers                              

CONS

Constant mess, especially while painting. Kindergarten. I'm looking at you. 

They lie, just like any everyone else. ("That's MY ring! It's been missing for a year and a half!") Yeah right.
They expect me to keep all of those pictures. Okay, some of them are just plain weird.
Kids tell it how it is. ("You lied to us, you said this would be fun!") Picky, picky.
Sometimes I fail as the big, bad, teacher.
Kids are so excited to come to my room, they run, some trip and spend art time with the nurse.
Scissors are used to cut up pieces of paper into 100 small pieces of paper, all over the floor.



All-in-all, I'm enjoying it. Still prefer middle/high school right now, but this is good experience for now.