Oh my

Last week we had the pleasure of once again going to the layoff hearings. Now, these hearings are a time when I get to hang out with out friends, and listen to a lot of monotone conversations concerning adult ed, ROP, Avid, and "highly qualified". None of which concerns me, except for the fact that I am "highly qualified", just not on paper apparently. The beginning of the week we were all pretty scared for our jobs. Trying to image that in what should be our 5th year of teaching, we may be back on the sub list. Never knowing when we were working, and more importantly, never having our own class. Now yes, the thought of going into a classroom and leaving when the bell rings has some enticing qualities. However, seeing the faces on my kids when I was able to return to my class on Friday makes me realize that a shorter work day is NOT worth it.

So, I leave you with this. Something that any educator can appreciate.


HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TEACHER?

1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words, "It's Ms/Mr. ______________" and you know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty-five minutes.
6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch & prep period.
7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
8. You believe the teacher's lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine.
9. You want to slap the next person who says "must be nice to work 7 to 3 and have summers off."... (without pay).
10. You believe chocolate is a food group.
11. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.
12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
13. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
14. You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.
15. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
16. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.
17. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five items!
18. You ask your friend if the left hand turn he just made was a "good choice or a bad choice".
19. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils.
20. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.
Finally...
21. You understand instantaneously why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.