Because I teach in a school run by a daycare company, I keep my students all day. We have wonderful Music and Gym teachers that come twice a month however, the rest of the time, I am the "Specials" teacher.
This is actually fun because I can incorporate our curriculum into whatever zany project, song or active adventure I dream up.
For example, this morning my kids were restless and so instead of a sedentary phonics game, I had my students go to our gym and we rhymed and ran.
I was a "giant tuna with sharp teeth" who would catch them as they ran from one side of the gym to the other after they gave me a rhyme. I would say a word like "pay" and they would shout out rhyming words and then run. They loved it and I loved it. They got to move and I didn't have to tell them to sit still and pay attention!
Later this afternoon, after doing a clock assessment and a critical thinking paper, I taught art.
More specifically, we made sock puppets!
My little dears were overjoyed. You would have thought we were doing something really fantastic! With unmatched socks donated by my parents, a few buttons and a little felt, every child was given a chance to stretch their imagination.
I am so blessed that I was able to be a part of the fun.
At a more traditional school I would not be able to do all the unusual things I do.
I would need to check the schedule before I headed into the gym and a trip to the movie room for a mid morning
Spanish video wouldn't even be an option.
I am often told by those who don't understand, that I should look for a "better", higher paying job in a "normal" school.
Though more money would be delightful, for now I am content to enjoy the
advantages of my wonderful school.
There are times in life when satisfaction and a feeling of well being are more important than more money. (Though I'm not opposed to having both!)
If you find yourself in a situation that is economically not the best but extremely satisfying, enjoy your time, while you can.
There may come a day when you must move on, but until then, soak up the sunshine of the world you find yourself in.
Enjoy your own personal sock puppets!
Like my long ago "mud baby",
