Doing Everything in Love

Stolen moments of solitude in the classroom are priceless. Even though I'm not in the teacher's lounge because I'm too lazy to walk down there today, I need these quiet, alone moments to recharge. Sitting at my desk, I look out over my room at the haphazard items strewn all over the place... a student's planner with a picture of her puppy proudly taped to the front, Rand's neatly stacked pile of belongings, his glasses meticulously perched on top of its case, waiting for his return from lunch. Nikki's stuff, on the other hand, is a discombobulated mess flung around underneath her desk. I see a ridiculous pile of OM props crammed into the corner--- 3 foot tall "broccoli trees" stand like sentries guarding the bookshelf, a paper mache heart sits safely on top of the lockers, a random bright-orange wig is tucked into the corner.

And I wonder, what will the new 5th grade parents think of this room when they venture into it tonight? I'm not even going to attempt to organize the chaos that has turned into our 'home.'

I hope they see that beyond the clutter is a creative, passionate, hard-working educator.

I hope they feel their child will feel loved and respected in room 480 as they see students' work proudly displayed on the walls, their smiling faces on the 'who am i?' board, and an overflowing, messy bookshelf.

I hope they realize that teachers at this school are so much more than 7:30-3 educators; we are counselors, friends, and sometimes parents. We stay until it's dark outside to make sure our lessons are engaging, challenging, and effective. We stay for band concerts, talent shows, OM meetings, sports games, religious organizations, and whatever else, just because we want to.

I hear the 7th grade herd returning from lunch. Time to greet them at the door and delve into Ponyboy's life in "The Outsiders."