Always Remember ....

March 22, 2013 -- School

Well, it started with me stopping at Dunkin Donuts for muffins and a large unsweetened iced tea with extra ice. I thought two of my colleagues could use a muffin.

When I walked in the building, one of those very colleagues was in the hall asking me to come in her room. Guess what? We were on the same page, a good thing for English teachers. She stopped at Dunkin Donuts, too, thinking the three of us needed a mental health pick-me-up. Ahhhh....

Now, I promptly, somehow, spilled my iced tea everywhere. I sat it on a desk and it was somehow propelled, as if by a rocket or something, and flew everywhere. I'm not going to focus on that, though, or the fact that my scream gave us a jolt we didn't need first thing in the morning. I'm focusing on the fact that, when I realized we weren't going to be able to clean it up by ourselves, Fred came speedily and took care of it for me, only saying, "Oh, dear .... What happened here?"

When I got to my room and walked to my desk, a HUGE “card” of sorts awaited me.  A note was written on a big piece of paper, saying I’m a caring teacher and a great addition to our school.  It was anti-bullying week with a focus on building people up and spreading goodness.  All faculty and staff came in to find such notes this morning.

At least two colleagues checked in with me to see how I was doing.

One colleague dropped everything and went to get a QRI book and helped me administer the test.  A few students wanted to move up to a higher-level English class and I wanted to be sure, to have some data. 

Two students came in and gave me a piece of coffee cake that they made in one of their classes. "We wanted you to have a piece. We made it ourselves!"

Seriously, ... ahhh ....

My para, who is going to another class, told me to call if ever I needed anything. She'd be right there.

I got to see a bunch of my former students ... my kiddos from last semester. They came for my signature and input on next year's English class(es).

You know where I'm going with this, right? Thankful, thankful, thankful.

The guy in the cafe gave me carrots, even though I didn't ask for them. Ummm.... Forcing myself to be thankful on this one. He's noticed, I think, that I forgo veggies on the days I get lunch from the cafe. Ugh.... "They're carrots flavored with ginger. They'll be good for you!" he said, putting a HUGE spoonful on my tray. I'm told I've been looking a bit tired, though, they've emphasized the word "tired".  Hence, I think, the carrots.  

Ummm.... Thankful-ish....

I swear, I know I'm forgetting something ....

Oh! When they found out I'm chaperoning their dance tomorrow night, the kids said I need to avert my eyes. Why? "Pelvic thrusting!"

:o

"There's going to be a ton of it! You need to avert your eyes...."

Ohhhh..... One of my boys used the word "avert" and was looking out for me. Who said kids are lacking in vocabulary and that chivalry is dead? I'm choosing not to focus on the pelvic thrusting part of that particular story.

One of the guidance counselors dropped everything when I couldn’t find an administrator and needed help with a student.

And, ... I had a lovely and relaxing chat with a colleague at the end of the day ....

What is the moral of this story?  Keep an eye open for all the things, the big and little things, that one can be thankful for.

Be thankful, thankful, thankful ....

Copyright 2013 -> Shannon