Possibly the best note of my teaching career...

I know my teaching career only consist of about 4 months as of now…but I can’t see anything in the future topping this note!

Here’s the background info to this letter. The last 45 minutes of every school day we have “pirate time.” During this time each student travels to their assigned pirate time teacher to get extra help in reading. My pirate time kids a mixture of 2^nd and 3^rd graders. One of my 2^nd grade boys, I’ll call him “Paul” is very interested in reading his bible. Everyday we have 15 minutes of Sustained Silent Reading at the beginning of class, Paul always reads his bible and takes notes.  Most days he asks me questions about the bible as well, and I do my best to answer him (a lot of times they are very deep questions for a 7 year old). He’s asked me everything from Genesis to Revelation. Today after pirate time he brought me this note.

Dear Ms. Bass,

I have bin learning a lot from you! I have a lot of knowled in me. I a prepared for Chad. God’s been geting closer to me. I am glad I have you as a pirate time teacher! See you in the third grade!

Your Pirate Time Student,

Paul

I’m not sharing this to show everyone what a GREAT teacher I am. I’m sharing it because I am learning more from Paul than he is learning from me. His hunger and thirst to know God’s word is inspires me so much. He is only 7, and he seeks God every minute of everyday. I am so blessed to have him my life.

Here are a few other cute Paul quotes:

“Sometimes people don’t get why I read the bible all the time…but that’s ok. I know I’m supposed to. God spoke to me and said to read and study his word.”

“Miss Bass, what does blasphemy mean?”

“Miss Bass I’ve been learning a lot about how God should be a part of everything we do…like even at school. For example, when I do math, do is always with me then, he helps me get through it!”

Lots of Love

L-O-V-E.

Sometimes I wonder how such a small word can have such a big impact on our lives. We all want to be loved and love others. Lately, my students have been teaching me how to love them through the “tough times” (aka- them acting up and misbehaving). It’s easy to show love to others when things are easy. The past few weeks my 26 lovely little 3^rd graders have been trying me and pushing my patience to the fullest. I keep telling myself, “Love them like Jesus would, Love them like Jesus would.” But I know some days I fall short.

Today I was reminded by some of my sweet little girls just how much they love me back. After writing time I went back to my desk and I had a pile of letters. As I read the letters from my students I thought about how many times I do things that they don’t like, or understand. They don’t like it when I make them stop talking in the hallway. They don’t like it when I make them do homework. And the for sure don’t like it when I loose my cool because the class gets out of hand. But still, they love me.

The reason I became a teacher was to do just that, love children. It’s so easy to get lost in the job of teaching. The grading papers, lesson planning, entering data, and of course the dreaded state testing, but I have to come back to the calling of loving children. If I’m showing them “Christ-like” love everyday, then I am doing my job. And if I’m doing my job I trust the rest will fall into place.

Here’s a couple of my favorite “love notes”

Dear Miss Bass,

            I love you so much that I never want to let go or forget about you. In fact I love you so much that the world could explode!

                                                                                    Sincerily,

                                                                                                Alexis

“Mrs. Bass is the prites teacher in the world and nise too. I like her the way she is. Mrs. Bass is the best teacher.

Dear Miss Bass,

            I don’t want you to change ever, because you are perfect the way you are.

                                                                                    Your Friend,

                                                                                                Corina

Cute Kid Quotes:

At the end of the day we have “Pirate time” (its kind of an enrichment time). During that time I teach 2^nd and 3^rd grade. I have one 2^nd grader who is really into studying his bible, he brings it everyday, reads it, asks me lots of questions, and takes notes! It’s so cute. Las week after asking me a question he said,

“In this part it talks about persecution. I know all about that, because my dad persecutes me all the time.”

Speak Now

*Disclaimer- This entry has nothing to with my classroom or teaching, but it has everything to do with learning and love.

Speak Now.

These words have been swirling around in my head since my sweet mother bought me the new Taylor Swift CD this weekend.

On Sunday I felt God’s presence in my life in a way I haven’t felt him in a long while. Ted (my pastor) talked about 2^nd Timothy chapter 3 and 19 things that people will become lovers of in the last days.  Since Sunday I have been reflecting a lot on his message and how it applies to my life. I have been thinking mostly on what it means to be holy. I know that holy by definition means “to be set apart” but what does that look like in my life. I learned tonight at small group that 3 is the number of perfection and in the bible and in songs we always say “holy, holy, holy” meaning God is perfectly set apart. Which got me thinking, if I’m supposed to strive to live my life after Christ’s example, are the things I do daily, my thoughts, actions, and words even close to holy?  No, they are often the same as a non believer. Whoa. Hit me pretty hard.

Also, I’ve been thinking a lot about “mindless chatter.” So many times we (myself included, with two hands raised in the air) talk just to fill the emptiness. Our thoughts are just mere opinions, but so often we say them as if they are fact or truth. For example, do I really know that Taylor Swift wrote all the songs on her CD by herself? No. I did hear that on TV, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. But I sure do jump to her defense anytime someone says otherwise.  And when I stop to think about it, why does it even matter in the first place?? Mindless chatter. As soon as one person starts talking about something we feel the need to add our two sense in to the conversation. Why? To feel important? To be included? I don’t know, but we all do it. And many times we don’t stop to think of how our words may affect the person sitting right next to us. I’ve always known we’re supposed to “tame the tongue” but I’ve never really stopped to think about how many words I say have no true value. 

I know God is working in my heart and showing me a few of my many personal areas of weakness. And although I have been driving myself crazy, talking in circles, I find peace knowing that God has my attention and is helping me grow. And while I love to listen and sing along to Taylor in the car, I think the title of her CD should have been Speak Wisely.

Facts I know for sure. 100%. Without a doubt.

-God loves me.

-God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sin.

-I am a sinner.

-God created me for a purpose.

-With God all things are possible.

Word Vomit, NO! Actual Vomit!

I’ve been waiting for something especially exciting to blog about…well on this past week it happened. We had a stomach virus hit our building hard! On Thursday and Friday we had a huge drop in attendance because so many of our little sweeties were sick, throwing up to be exact.

Luckily, I somehow survived, and did not catch the virus. However, on Friday I did experience my first (of many I’m sure) vomit in the classroom situation. One of my poor little guys was sent home early on Thursday, but wanted to see me so much (okay I added that part) that he told his mom he had to go to school on Friday.  He came in and I knew he was still very SICK. I asked if he wanted to go to the nurse and he said, “maybe, if you really think I need to.” Most kids are chomping at the bit to go to the nurse (usually when they aren’t really all that sick) so I knew he was really trying to be tough.

He went to the nurse for about 30 minutes then came sluggishly back to class, laid his head down on his desk and tried his best to stay awake. After a while I went over to check on him, as soon as I got to his desk he said, “Miss Bass, I need the trash can!” I dashed across the room, grabbed the trash can, and headed back to my little guy. When I was only about 5 steps short it started. I dropped the trash can in front of him, but not quite in time, although it did aid in furthering the mess, he already had puke all over his desk and down the front of him. Poor kid, I felt so sorry for him.

I was very blessed to have my literacy coach in the room at the time. She had been helping teach a lesson on writing, and boy was I glad she was there. She helped to get my sick student to the nurse while I stayed to corral the rest of the class, who were by this point trying not to lose their breakfast as well. I start to kick into “nanny” mode and clean the throw up myself, then remember “wait, I can call a custodian to help!” I was so thankful that within just a few minutes the mess was being cleaned up and I was not the one doing it. A huge thank you goes out to all custodians!

After opening the windows and going crazy with Lysol wipes, our room was good as new. As for my little guy, he went home. Overall, I’d say my first adventure with puke was pretty successful!

On a lighter note, Cute Kid Quotes:

“Miss Bass, What does scandalous mean?” – Sally

“Where did you hear that word?” – Me

“In a song.” – Sally

“Uh, ask your mom.” – Me

I have a student with autism, he is extremely creative. Last week at recess he brought me a twig with a tiny red leaf on the end and said,

“Miss Bass, here…I made this for you”

“I love it….what is it?” – Me

“It’s a stop sign. Now when kids a being bad you can just hold it up and say STOP!”

Cute like a Chihuahua

This week was by far the hardest week yet of teaching. The newness of everything is wearing off and the kids are getting very comfortable with me (maybe a little too comfortable). But the biggest lesson I learned this week was how to give my kids my best when my heart is hurting. As most of you know by now I found out last Sunday that the baby I nannied for last year, Paige, has a cancerous tumor in her chest. She is so sweet and I took care of her from the time she was 5 months till she was 15 months, so she is my baby too. That being said it was incredibly hard for me to go to school and focus while I was awaiting news on her condition. And of course Monday and Tuesday the kids were CRAZY! The saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” went through my head about a thousand times those two days. Fortunately, by the end of the week it proved itself to be very true. After “laying down the law” on Wednesday with my week started getting better, and by the time the kids left on Friday I was feeling much better J

Cute Kid Quotes:

Madison: “Miss Bass! Tyler said the F word!!!”

Me: “Tyler, get over here!”

Madison: “You know. F-L-I-P”

Me: “Never mind Tyler”

One day I wore a black and white striped cardigan…and got this fashion advice from on of my girls…

“Miss Bass, I don’t like that sweater. It makes you look like your in jail!”

To practice writing friendly letters I had the kids write me a letter telling me what they think of our class so far this year, here are two of my boys responses.

“So far I think this class is good, but it is not that good.”- Rocky

“You are the best teacher ever. You are coot like a cwow.”  -Tyler

(He read his out loud to me, if you can’t decode kid spelling it says “cute like a Chihuahua”).

My “Charmed” Life

Tonight I watched the video my parents made me for my high school graduation. It has been a while since I’ve watched it (ok, not that long…maybe 5 months). But tonight I saw it with new eyes. I have always known my life has been very easy. Also, I knew that when I started teaching I was going to hear stories about my student’s home lives that would shock me. As, I watched the 30 minute DVD of my life flash across my TV I began thinking about just how blessed I was growing up. Honestly the worst thing that happened to me in the 3rd grade was that another girl told me I looked like a leprechaun because I was wearing an all green outfit on St. Patrick’s Day ( it was the cutest little green and white striped top with a green scort, and she was obviously jealous of me). At the time it really hurt my feelings and crushed my little heart. Funny how those things stick with you. Needless to say, the problems I hear in my class each day make my “drama” seem like a joke.



All this to say, I am very thankful for the “charmed” life my parents provided me. Even though it breaks my heart to realize my “normal” life isn’t the reality for a majority of my students, it only makes me want to work that much harder to show them stability, encouragement, and unconditional love at school. Each day I go to school I get to give them hope, and it is my goal that in my classroom each of my students will have a “charmed” life.


*A special thanks to my mom and dad. I love you both so much. I’m the woman I am today because of you. Thank you for teaching me the value of hard work. And for always believing in me and loving me no matter what. I’m truly blessed to be your daughter.

Sweet Notes

Without a doubt one of the best parts about being a 3rd grade teacher is all the sweet cards and notes the kids write me! It always brightens my day :)

Here's on I got today:

"I think you are the best teacher in the world. I think your pretty. My best friends are Landon, Josh, Blair, Nathan, and you."  -Nicholas

And here's another kid quote:
This was my conversation with a student while we were having a "book conference" (a time when they tell me about a book they are reading).
Landon- "While the guy was sitting in the bathtub he blarfed."
Me- "He what??"
Landon- "He blarfed"
Me- "Can you spell that for me?"
Landon- "Blarfed. B-L-A-R-F-E-D."
Me- "What does that mean?"
Landon- "You know, it's when you burp and throw up some too."
Me-"Sorry I asked."

Me to class: "Alright, Miss Bass' Class, I need you ears closed and your mouths open."
Paige: "Ughh..Miss Bass I think you mean your ears open and your mouths closed."
Me: "Just wanted to make sure you were listening..."

learning, love, and a few tears...

Well...yesterday was one of those break you down to build you up kind of days.  And on my 5th day of teaching I shed my very first tear. I tried my hardest to laugh of my troubles..but yesterday it was too much. I said to myself, "Janae, you're not going to cry you and going to laugh this off!" So I forced myself to laugh, but it quickly turned into a cry. I'm sure if anyone else would have seen me in the hallway they would have thought I was loosing it, but that moment that exactly what I was doing, loosing it! I only shed about 3 tears, then I quickly composed myself and went back to class. Now after reflecting on the situation here are a few things I've learned...
*It's ok to cry, everyone does it.
*By having "issues" with a student I have to chance to show myself and everyone else what I'm made of.
*After having a bad day, you really really appreciate the good ones.
*Teaching isn't just about the students learning, it's about the teacher learning what works for each student to learn.
*Today I was better because of what I learned yesterday...and LOTS of prayers.
*If I have many more days like yesterday, I'm going to have the strength of a body builder.


“Things don't go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be.” -- Samuel Johnson

A New Beginning

The past 3 weeks have been full of packing, unpacking, cleaning, decorating, meetings, making copies, laminating, and lots more.  And even with all these things going on I have been able to have some fun too! God has really been blessing my time in Branson so far and I know he will continue to do so. Here are a few of the ways I've felt His love lately:

*Spending time with old friends
*Making new friends
*Coffee and Conversation (Women's Night at church, yes I'm a full-out grown up now, I go to the women's events!)
*Placing me in a wonderful school district and school building. (Our back to school district meeting was opened with prayer!)
*Providing me an awesome 3rd grade team of teachers, and a very sweet and kind mentor teacher. I would be lost without her.
*Giving me 26 students to love and teach.

My last blessing leads me into the name of my blog...I decided to name it learning, love, and laughter because that is what I know this next chapter in my life is going to be full of.  First, although I am the "teacher" I will be learning just as much if not more than the kids this year. Next, love, I know I'm going to need to choose to love my children every single day. The reason I decided to be a teacher was because I knew I want to serve and love kids. And last, laughter. I know this year is going to be full of trials. I told mom that instead of crying when things go wrong I'm going to try my best to laugh! We'll see how well I do with that, but I haven't cried yet (I know its only been two days).

I also want a place to share cute things my students say. So I'm going to try to have at least one kid quote for each blog post. Enjoy!

Kids Quotes:

From one of my students who was talking to his group members and didn't know I could hear him. "Ok guys, raise your hand if you love Miss Bass. I mean not like LOVE LOVE her, but love her like you love ice cream."