So, I'm officially a preschool teacher. Alright, only a preschool teacher's assistant, but you know... baby steps to living the dream, right?
I have so many amazing stories to tell about the last month (which, by the way, is also the first month in over 6 years that I've been back in the work world), but cannot. For many reasons. The first being that in the spirit of apple-appliqued denim jumpers and sneakers, teachers are mature and responsible and loving and are politically correct and indiscriminate. (And they like kids.) In my mind, they don't blog, unless it's to document some crafty creation that only supports their case in being even more sweet, respectable, and quilted. (Yes, they themselves are quilted.)
I'm happy to report that my fears of not being "teachery" enough have faded. I've found my inner Shari Lewis. I'm outfitted with a pocketed apron (my shield), and with finger puppet gnome* residing in that pocket (my sword). My armor is complete with chainmail Waldorf-approved finger plays and songs, newly added to my alto repertoire. I've gained mastery once more in self-controlling any incidental flatulence that was a byproduct of my 6 year stint of being a stay-at-home-mom. (A relief to know that I'm not an 80 year old trapped in a 29 year old body.)
And... drumroll... I do in fact like children other than my own! What a relief!
These kids, I love them already. I only work 3 days a week, and let me tell you... I find myself thinking about them those other days that I'm away. I wonder and hope what they are doing and if they're enjoying it. Each little kid's quirks makes me smile, as I reminisce about my 4 hour day with them... how simultaneously precocious and innocent they are. And, it has served as a reminder that my kids are amazing, but not the only amazing kids in existence. (Friends' kids are an exception of course, as I've always known they were special.)
The first time I pulled a felted faceless finger puppet out of my pocket in a sweaty desperate attempt to get them to peacefully transition from bathroom to sink to sitting on the rug indian style- I mean, crisscrossapplesauce- without smothering each other with 2 year old affection,
I saw their faces light up.
Like really light up. Not in an I'm-humoring-you-because-you're-obviously-a-sweaty-desperate-teacher-impostor kind of way, but in a hey-you're-a-finger-play-genius kind of way. And the gnome went back into the pocket victoriously.
Not one kid made fun of me, not one kid rolled his/her eyes, not one kid gave me the gong, and not one kid (even the one I thought would be the Simon Cowell of the bunch) blinked as I sang about apple trees, personified winds, and bruised produce (that I think makes it's way into our neighborhood's ghetto supermarket.)
In all seriousness, if you're at all inclined to brush up on Waldorf preschool philosophy, you can click here to read more about what/how/who/and why (do my kids play with peach pits in a school that costs as much as a mortgage payment?). Seriously, it's a beautiful thing.
*Gnomes in pockets souncded scary and creepy at first, but are now proven effective in the classroom.
6 comments:
Yay! So glad you're enjoying it. I think I might need to learn a few of those songs and finger puppet moves just to get through life with my one little guy. I believe we are entering the terrible two's...although, I'm currently pretending it's just teething, and he'll certainly snap out of it soon. A momma can wish, right?
Hey Dera! Congratulations on your new gig. You're a natural and I know you're going to have boatloads of fun. Plus, I bet you rock that preschool uni m'lady.
In case you haven't heard of Vodka Mom (aka Deborah Patrick), RUN DON'T WALK over to her blog...
http://www.vodkamom.com/
It's a scream. She's a kindergarten teacher and has stories you wouldn't believe. Great material that you will undoubtedly relate too.
Do be cautious tho... she ran into a few snags writing about specific children and using their photos... almost cost her the blog, so now everyone is referred to incognito and no face shots ever.
I want you to know I love your blog and read all your posts. You're also on my blogroll. Stop by mi casa some day (it's totally a coincidence that our blog names are almost identical - what are the chances?). I'm not a fraction as brilliant as you, but I have my moments.
Anyway - best of luck for a fun school year. The girls are so beautiful and funny. Your family makes an amazing team. Love to Terry!
Congratulations on widening your audience. Those are some lucky kids.
My guy is in a co-op so Jeff and I are aides in the classroom twice a month. Aide is defined as apron wearing-string cheese buying-bathroom cleaning-criss-cross apple sauce enforcer. We also get the added bonus of seeing our sweet child act insane and clingy (in, you know, a good way) because of our presence. It's an education for at least one of us and has given me a renewed appreciation for glitter and macaroni. (We are having it for dinner.)
Hey Dera have you heard of this book before? A teacher I know was reading it and said it was great, so, you know....your a teacher......teachers, books, books, teachers....
book
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780670038152,00.html?Teach_Like_Your_Hair%27s_on_Fire_Rafe_Esquith
I'm sort of intimidated by your responsibility. Like, going out of the house at a certain time and being somewhere at a certain time and remembering to bring the stuff you're supposed to bring? That kind of stuff is hard for me, for some reason. In all seriousness this job sounds wonderful and I'll bet you are really really good at it. You have sort of a childlike nature but with grown-up smarts. That's a really winning combination. In or out of a preschool classroom.
Will there be cotton ball crafts?
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