May, already?!

Life is good... the TAKS test is over... after 3 days of sitting and staring at students take a 6-9 hour test without being able to read or doodle or anything but stare at them take a test, I am alive. I counted ceiling tiles, carpet wrinkles, made huge life plans, contemplated life, made up stories in my mind about my kids, counted blinks... I found a new muscle in my face, I saw how long I could go without blinking, saw how long it would take for my mouth to dry out while keeping it open..... I WAS BORED! I never want to do that again! The last day was the worst as I was stuck with one kid and this one kid had the runniest nose alive (one minute he blew his nose 12 times!) and a digestive problem (9 trips to the bathroom, including 5 # 2's)

On Wednesday, after being in a VERY pissy and annoyed mood from a long day of testing and my back killing me (my feet are still numb) I was welcomed by a very sweet care package from Angela for Teacher Appreciation Day. In it was a cool mug from Starbucks where all my kids can sign it and write me permanent messages and the most thoughtful poem which I would like to share with you all:

Back in June in the scorching heat
Summer Institute OH GOD
Is a time NEVER to repeat

Tiresome lectures
You tried to sleep through
And the blackest white roommate to come home to!

Broadstone – or shall I say,“TFA Dorm”
Your corps members sure took that place by storm!
It’s a good thing you got that master suite
Since your roommates turned into such deadbeats ☹

There’ve been many challenges you have faced
Feeling ill-equipped, yet you still ran the race
You were thrown into work you didn’t expect,
At times dealt with people you didn’t respect

Autism Spectrum? 4th grade? GT?
What kind of teacher did they want you to be?
You didn’t know where they wanted you placed
But you made the best of it, in any case

Gallegos Elementary has proven quite the success
As you daily equip students to be their best!
It’s more than just teaching for the TAKS exams…
As if that wasn’t ENOUGH to have on your hands

It’s about instilling a love of education
So kids achieve ALL they can in this great nation
Showing them, there is something more…
More to hope, and more to WORK for!

Paper after Paper graded in red
You’d think there were no other words besides ‘SAID!’
But your students desperately want to shine
So they show you their paper EACH and EVERY TIME

There’ve been countless moments along the way
That withstand the test of time you might say…
From dancing in assemblies and cutting the cheese
Being the Easter Bunny and dealing with nosebleeds!

With drive, conviction and a love for what you do–
You’ve shown them that dreams really can come true.
You’ve learned SO much, and you’ve come SO far
I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished
So proud of the man you are

To show my appreciation…I just wanted to say
You’re my favorite teacher - today…and every day.


Happy Teacher Appreciation Day
Love, Ang

Man, it is friends like Angela that make life so wonderful, thanks Ang!