Moment.

Today I had a special moment… if you’re a teacher, you already know what I’m talking about. One of those instances where something magical happens and the energy from it just overtakes you. Sometimes the sprout doesn’t even realize it until you let them in on the moment… today, when I pulled Darcy to read, I had one.

We’ve been pulling kids at quiet times (yes, they happen in kindergarten) to DRA them. The DRA – the Developmental Reading Assessment is a reading test measuring accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. At the kindergarten level, we start low, usually with a level one or two, sometimes higher, depending on the child. Darcy was reading a two.

For most kids, the two is just about right. The teacher reads the first page, ‘I can see a red boat’ modeling pointing to each word and then the child reads the rest of the book. Each page has a large picture with a clue to finish the line, ‘I can see a…’ – if children take their time and point, they usually pass.

The problem is the last page. After an entire book with the ‘I can see a’ pattern, the final page reads, ‘And I can see bubbles’ – that ‘And’ is the fly in the ointment. Even though they are pointing to each word, many kids pass right over the ‘And’ and just keep reading.

When Darcy first got to the ‘And’ she didn’t read it. She pointed to each word, “I can see…” She stopped. Without looking up at me, she knew something was wrong. She began again, pointing, “I can see” not reading the ‘And’ – after a third time she finally, she got it. She paused her finger over the ‘And’ and after a moment, read the page, pointing to each word correctly.

The hairs on the back of my head stood up.

We finished the assessment and I gave Darcy a hug. I couldn’t help it. These moments are why we teach. Don’t forget to notice and cherish them.

Positivity.

‘A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.’ - Herm Albright

I don’t know who Herm Albright was, but I adore this quote. I’ve seen it before, but upon reading it again, I couldn’t help but smile. Being positive, or happy, or whatever you want to call it, doesn’t come easy for many people… I’m not one of them.

I have coworkers (who don’t know me very well) ask me in the hallways all the time, ‘You’re always smiling… are you always happy?’

Naturally nobody is happy all the time, but I really try my best to stay positive. From time to time, when I’m feeling down or upset, I try to smile through it. I know, ‘turn that frown upside down’ is corny and trite, but there is something to it. There’s lots of research on smile and laugh therapy… I’m not familiar with it, but I know smiling and laughing keep me feeling young and healthy.

The only problem with being Mr. Happy is not every one is thrilled to have you around. At first I tried to transform their gloom with my smiles and laughter. What I realized, after time, is that misery really does love company… not some happy guy who always sees the glass as half full.

I still smile and spread my positive energy, but now I know – steer clear of the folks who just want to wallow. Instead, I surround myself with the positive cheer and love of the ladies who remind me of what I always try to remember… find the joy in teaching. Find the joy in each moment. Working with young children each day is nothing short of a blessing. Life’s too short to be anything but happy.

Moms.

Well, it’s Mother’s Day. As a kindergarten teacher, I encounter all types of moms. Whatever separates them, they all share one thing… they love their children and want what’s best for them… actually, I share that with them too. Maybe that’s why I get called ‘mom’ from time to time… the biggest compliment... even for a guy.

Happy Mother’s Day out there to all the moms who help me do my job… and to my mom and her mom, my grandma, I learned from the best.

First.

With the arrival of spring, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and the need to be first in line more than anything else in the world as begun. I’ll never quite understand why certain children have an overwhelming desire to be first in line all the time… there are always those rebels who want nothing more than to be last, but most wish to be at the head of the line.

During the day, when we line up, we have always have a line leader and a caboose. These ‘jobs’ are listed each morning in the message so sprouts know exactly who needs to be where and there’s no question about it… naturally, being second becomes the goal at this point.

The major problem arises at bus time… our school dismisses students in bus waves, so there are basically about six bus lines that form in a twenty-five minute period. If you’re ‘first’ that day, you get to be first in your bus line, but what about the other five lines? Children know they aren’t allowed to run… you’d be amazed at the speed walking to line. I happen to know speek walking is an Olympic event and some of these kids could definitely medal.

I’ve tried joking with them.

“Does the person first in line get a pony? A giant chocolate cake? A pot of gold?” I asked.

Blank stares. My rapier wit is lost on them. I’ve tried a more literal approach.

“Aren’t you all going to the same place… the bus? Why is it so important to be first?” I prodded.

More blank stares. I’m starting to realize, they don’t really know why they want to be first.

Which naturally made me start to think about why… why do some kids (again others could care less…) just NEED to be first?

For some, they simply want to be closest to me. I’m a nice guy. My hand is big and ripe for the holding… but there are others who have never given a hug, never grabbed my hand and yet still, everyday, the race to the front ensues. Why?

Maybe some kids are just super competitive… maybe they fight for their parents attention at home with a sibling and are just conditioned to try and elbow their way to the front… maybe the survival of the fittest really is hard wired into some people’s DNA more than others…

Whatever the reason, I’ve started a new strategy. On certain days, for certain lines (they never know which…) I do what I call the ‘Line Flip’ – after everyone has arrived in line, I shout ‘Line Flip’ and the entire line has to flip. The leader becomes last, the caboose the leader and everyone in between changes position. It’s a lovely thing.

Concert.

Last night was our spring kindergarten concert. There isn’t much more entertaining than watching a gaggle of sprouts sing their heart out in their Sunday finest... even if the silly songs get stuck in your head.

As I stood backstage waiting for them each to arrive, their excitement was palpable. David was wearing a shirt, tie, vest, and dress pants. I don’t think he figured how warm it would be under those lights… ever the gentleman, every time a new little girl arrived, David commented, “Wow, you look beautiful… just like a rag doll!”

I’m no doll expert (or fashion or hair for that matter), but aren’t rag dolls made of… rags? Aren’t they the least beautiful of the dolls? David meant it as a compliment, of that I’m sure… and none of the girls seemed offended, so what do I know?

The show began and as I sat there, watching them sing (except for David – he was either extremely hot or struck with stage fright). The ones I was worst worried most about being silly did amazing… a few I never thought to worry about sat down and made faces. What could I do? I sat there and thought, ‘Well, it’s a kindergarten concert – what do you expect?’

As the last song finished and I walked up to the stage to dismiss the class to their parents, David looked like he was about to fall over… I quickly snapped his tie off (really, is there anything cuter than a clip on tie?) and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt – that seemed to cool him down a bit and he offered the first smile I’d see all night.

As I drove home, after a twelve plus hour day, I couldn’t help but think, yep, still love everything about my job… even having silly kindergarten concert songs stuck in my head.

Tooth Drama.

Oh tooth drama. A loose tooth in kindergarten is a big deal. Sometimes the bulk of the show happens at home, at night, on weekends… other times, it all seems to revolve around our school day. This week Penny had a loose tooth… right in the front. It wiggled, it jiggled, but it wouldn’t come out.

At one point, she asked Mrs. D. if she would yank it out. She wasn’t kidding either… I think she could tell by my reaction when she jostled it for me that I wasn’t the man for the job… Mrs. D. suggested her mom do it… I suggest she eat an apple when she got home. Neither happened and the tooth hung on… and on.

Finally, yesterday she came in with the tooth missing. She had worked up the nerve to pull it on the bus on her way in. It was a very big deal. We got her a tooth holder from the nurse to carry her treasure around her neck until she got home.

She arrived today announcing, “The toof fairy game me two dollars!”

She asked me to take a picture of the whole in her mouth… she wanted to see if her ‘big girl toof’ was coming in yet and she couldn’t see ‘up the hole too good’… naturally I obliged. Yes! It was coming in! All that tooth drama really was exhilarating… it’s a good reminder to listen to the wisdom of the toothless ones.

Better.

This week, as we prepare for Mother’s Day, we’re reading books all about the love of dear old mom. Today, as I read Kiss It Better by Hiawyn Oram about a little bear whose mother kisses all her hurts better, I couldn’t help but think about the way my sprouts kiss all my problems away.

To be clear, there is no kissing in kindergarten. When someone has a boo-boo that needs attention, I usually brush it off, hold it up to them, and have the child kiss it. A kiss really does make everything better, but we can’t kiss, so other things will have to suffice.

When I’m feeling down, frustrated, angry, or blue (usually because of something to do with another adult, not a child…), it’s a child that ‘kisses’ my troubles better. Smiles, hugs, or taking my hand is all it takes. A simple gesture goes a long way in making you feel better. Children inherently know this… I wish more adults did.

Skirt.

Each morning, as sprouts file in, I try to say ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ and often compliment them on a hat, shirt, or outfit… today, I realized, sometimes I shouldn’t try so hard.

As Audra walked in with a few other girls, I noticed she had on a beautiful spring dress. Now Audra doesn’t usually wear dresses, so I figured I might compliment her on her outfit.

“Audra, what a beautiful dress you have on, I love the flowers… it’s so colorful,” I said with a smile.

Without missing a beat, she replied, “Thank you, but it’s not a dress, it’s a skirt.”

“Come on Mr. ______, clearly that’s a skirt, not a dress,” Mrs. D. teased.

“Oh sorry, well I like your skirt then,” I said, trying to fix my mistake.

I never claimed to be an expert on girls’ fashion (or hair for that matter), but I still love them all the same.

Trouble.

Today, when I picked up my class from P.E., Andy, standing in the front, looked up at me and said, “Nobody got in trouble today!”

Apparently this was a big deal… and it was. Usually when I pick them up from P.E., I’m told about at least one (if not more) sprouts who had to sit out and miss some of their P.E. time. So, truth be told, nobody getting in ‘trouble’ is something to celebrate. That being said, I wanted to try and put a positive spin on it and let them see why this was so significant… all in two minutes.

“Well, while I’m glad nobody got in trouble today, I don’t really care if you do get in trouble,” I started.

They looked shocked.

“What I care about, is that you get to enjoy all your P.E. time and don't have to miss any for not listening or following directions,” I continued.

“Nice job enjoying your P.E. time!” I finished, taking Andy’s hand to walk back to class.

The Man.

While I’m fully aware of the rarity of my species, a male who teaches kindergarten, the novelty is lost on me from time to time… Last week, I was reminded why being a man makes me so much different from my peers.

I received an email from a co-worker, another kindergarten teacher, about a situation with a little boy, let’s call him William, in her room. Apparently last fall, a little girl in my class told him that he was going to be in BIG trouble for wrecking some fairy houses her and her friends made on the playground… how much trouble? BIG trouble. Such big trouble that Mr. _______ was going to come after him!

Now I realize most of you have never met me, but I’m hopeful my personality has come through in my writing… I am not a scary guy. I’d like to believe I’m rather kind, caring, and open. I’d also bet good money than a few of my female counterparts are a lot scarier than I am… well wouldn’t you know it, poor little William was apparently so afraid of me it was beginning to cause some problems.

With spring here and the fairy houses returning, he thought it was about time for me to come after him… naturally, because this is kindergarten, this isn’t the whole story… in fact, William didn’t wreck anything. The girls in my room were just taunting him, scaring him, with… me!

William ended up writing me a letter explaining the whole situation and professing his innocence… he actually wrote ‘I’m innocent’ – I tried to keep a straight face when I read it. Thing is, when I went to his classroom to tell him I’d read his letter, thank him, and explain I wasn’t upset with him, he looked absolutely petrified as I walked over and sat next to him. You would have thought the Incredible Hulk had come for a chat.

When I spoke to his teacher afterwards and relayed his reaction, without missing a beat, she said, “You’re the man.”

Apparently my gender makes me scary to some children. The little girls in my room know this because they used MY name and not Mrs. D.’s to frighten poor William. They also know I’m not someone to fear, but they were banking that William didn’t. I hope after our conversation William realizes I’m not a raging ball of anger… he smiled at me the next time I saw him on the playground so I think I may have changed his mind.