You are who you spend time with.
Growing up, I didn't really care. Oh no, am I going to become like that smart kid who sits next to me in class? What about my really competitive friend in PE who also makes sure to vote for indoor soccer every time we get the chance? Worst case scenario, I suddenly start hanging out with the kid who annoys the teacher, and I have to sit out a few minutes at recess.
I spent time with good people growing up, and I never really gave into all that peer pressure-y stuff. I had a totally typical middle school/high school/college experience...for a nun.
Now, I can only dream that the saying is true. Please can I become less like the girl inclined to sit quietly by myself (or with my special guest BFF, Family Size Bag of Chips) and become more like the five people I spend the majority of my time with?
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We spend 7 hours together every day.35 hours a week.
36 weeks a year.
Every year, I get 1,260 hours.
Most of my parents get less than an hour with their kids each morning, and that family togetherness is spent negotiating over outfits and begging little people to eat breakfast.
Then I get them for 7 hours.
If they're lucky, they'll have 5 hours at home before bedtime.
But life happens.
By the time some of my friends get picked up from daycare, OT, PT, or speech, they have 3-4 hours with their parents.
What about sports or their siblings' activities?
Dinner?
Bathtime?
Homework?
As a kindergarten teacher, most days I get to spend the most time of anyone with my kids.
And it's a privilege.
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If you're lucky enough to know my kids, you know it's true.Sometimes they bowl you over in the hallway because they are so excited to see you (sorry, Denise!), sometimes they embarrass you in front of men because they want so badly for you to have one (sorry, self--you'll recover by 2058). But man--my five are a blessing.
First up, my assistant/boss/sanity--Ingrid. She is the ideal person to work with. She jumps in to help solve problems, loves the kids, and never gets shaken. She puts up with me and my lack of being ready for life. She also works that updo. If I can become 1/125 of the woman she is, I'm going to be just fine.
And then there is my little dude with the funniest sense of humor. He notices all the things. Since he has realized it embarrasses me when he tells his mom the best part of the day is when someone broke a rule, he works really hard to remember all the rule-breaking he's seen each day. Little dude used to hide whenever anyone spoke to him and answered every question by repeating the question, but he's getting the hang of things. He hates people touching him, but he's recently started to offer his friends hugs because he knows they love them so much.
Be still, my little non-touching heart (pictured comforting someone from a distance below).
#3. My little man O. He has fallen for my best teacher friend, and the joy he still gets in telling me that he told her hi (after what, a mere 130 days...) makes me smile. He's a ringleader during recess, and he has the most interesting, creative ideas these days. He's moved to a big math class and tells me each morning that he'll miss us, but he'll work hard.
I'm not crying; you're crying.
Quatro. My lone girl. Don't feel sorry for her though--she holds her own and uses the girl:boy ratio to her advantage. I'm proud of my gal for working so hard on her academic skills this year. She's got those letter names and sounds on lock! Still, she makes me even more proud of how she loves people and wants them to be loved too. She didn't learn that from me, but I'm thankful that she's teaching me her ways. It seems like it was just yesterday that she interrupted an observation to let me know I was being rude...
And last but not least--my shadow.
I'm not sure why, but a lot of kids in kindergarten have asked me this year about my class. In years past the closer we get to first grade, the more likely someone too smart/talkative for his/her own good realizes my class is different and wants to chat about it in a mean-spirited way. This year, though, all the inquiries have been pretty pure. The most frequent question I get is, "Are you everyone's mom or just his?" as they point at the child who is the least likely to have come from these loins.
And I love it every time.
Little Dude does probably get more of my time and energy than his friends. He definitely gets all up in my grill the most although my girl would love to give him a run for his money. If you know me at all, you already know I must adore this child because he touches me all. day. long. And yet he is still alive.
The truth is, this little guy reminds me of God.
When we talked about our dreams for the world in January, his was that everyone would be happy. And wholeheartedly, I know that that is really his wish.
Whenever he sees me, he want me to know he sees me. It doesn't matter if I walk out of the room for 4.3 seconds. When I come in, you better believe I'm getting an enthusiastic greeting and a "We are so happy we found you!"
If you're ever within a mile of him, he'll do the same for you. He'll grab your nametag, yell "What's your name?!" until you answer him, he'll say hi to you, and he'll introduce you to anyone else who is around.
Much like trying to outrun a cheetah, trying to outrun this guy is useless. I once saw him charge an innocent AR mom and hold her hostage until he could properly convey how nice it was to meet her.
My little guy feels things so strongly. I am so glad that his default setting is joy, but even seeing him be upset when others are or about perceived injustices gives me hope. I hope I never forget the gift of sitting next to him on his first field trip. "Whoa! Such beautiful cylinder posts! What a nice tall tree! WAFFLE HOUSE!"
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My people embody the best things. Hard work. Unconditional love. Humor. Creativity. Curiosity. Love for family. Joy.I'm excited to be back with them tomorrow.
Are they equally excited to see me?
I love that they are my five, and I am undoubtedly a better person thanks to knowing each one of them.
If they're one of my five, chances are I'm one of theirs.
Sorry, kids. Sometimes life isn't fair.
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Things are going to start spiraling out of control soon.
I start to realize I don't really have much time left to get these kids ready for first grade.
I have to hold IEP meetings.
I have to attend others.
We have a performance to prepare for.
We have the
We have assessments to give.
Data binders to update.
We have a class party to partay.
But in the midst of all the crazy, we have to remember the influence we have on our five.
For me, it'll look like taking better care of myself so I have energy to think ahead. A non-forward thinking frazzlehead does not a good teacher make. Instead of enjoying our time in our class, we'll all be wishing to be elsewhere.
For you, it may look like remembering to smile during grade-level meetings. Maybe your co-teacher is one of your five.
Or maybe it means not crushing that kid who sits at your table and spends way more time with you than either of you would like.
I double-dog dare you to remember that you are influenced and influencing these last few weeks. Be mindful of what that could look like, and work to make the rest of the year fun and meaningful for you and your students. Good luck!
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