Domesticated Dutch-ish: Sister Sunday: Not Another Education-Bashing Blog

Last week, Nikki was given the Sister Sunday Soapbox to write all about her recent business trip and all of the things she wished people knew about her career as an interior designer. If you missed it, you really should read it here - the stunning home pictures aren't to be missed!

As promised - today is my turn!

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher.

Nikki and I used to spend hours down in our basement playroom as little girls playing house, barbies, and the occasional "let me shove you in baby doll clothes" game. But, more often than not, my poor sister was roped into "playing school" which was code for I got to boss her around for as long as she would tolerate it. This was exceptionally annoying for Nikki because she never really liked real school as a kid, let alone during her free time.

Sitting at our coloring table guidance would be given, instruction would be delivered, and much to her dismay - fake homework would be assigned |and of course graded in the brightest washable markers|. And Nikki would sit there squirming in her seat looking for her escape. |It was in those moments we should have realized our fates - I thrived as a teacher and Nikki's ADHD lead to her insatiable creativity|

Teaching would remain in my blood for years to come until I would find myself in my VERY OWN classroom. EEE!!

Being a teacher suits me perfectly - it is a perfect balance of organization and chaos, laughter and stress, and working hard and playing hard. Not only does being a teacher let me truly "be", but specifically, being a middle school teacher is exactly what I was placed on this earth to do. I posted about the wisdom my students shared with me last week here! Take a minute to read about how wise they are. :)

However, you would have to be living under a rock to not hear all about what is wrong with the public education system - teacher effectiveness directly connected to students' performance on a single test that is void of any critical thinking, teachers being weighed down by monotonous paperwork and hoop jumping, and an ever-present parent vs. the teachers mentality. And that is just the tip of the public school system failure iceberg.

But this is NOT that blog post.

I would be the last person to ever say the education system is perfect. As a teacher, up to my elbows in the mess of the public school network on a daily basis, I know it is a mess that is far from being fixed. A mess that is systemically routed. A mess that needs to be fixed from the top-down.

No teacher would deny this.

But, there are so many beautiful things in this career. Beauty that gets buried by all of the other junk. Beauty that I want to bring to light in this blog post.

We teach our students to be resilient and respectful, to persevere when life gets hard, to turn every moment of defeat into a moment of growth, to do the very best with what we have been given. I hope this blog post does just that because, I know that the word "defeated" isn't the adjective I want to be correlated with simply because I am a teacher.

I want my students to see that I live out everything I encourage them to do. They aren't allowed to give up in Room S-215 when things get challenging so, why am I?

So, instead of another post adding to the bashing fire, I bring you:

The 3 Most Beautiful Things of the Education Profession

1. The KIDS, KIDS, KIDS. Enough said.

Regardless of a teacher's view on the public school system we all entered the profession for the same reason - the students.

What better way to spend my day than with 120 kids who want nothing more than to impress and please me? Especially, when they do JUST THAT.

On days that are hard, weeks that are hard, and school years that are hard the one constant that gets me out of bed every day is knowing that the kids are there waiting. They are eager to learn, to follow routines, and to thrive. I feel so beyond blessed to know that God entrusts me with a group of His children, allowing me to guide and shape them to do be the best versions of them possible - to contribute positively to the world.

My students are the most kind-hearted, funny, witty, caring individuals ever. Take a look at real examples from my classroom, below.

When you appreciate them, they appreciate you.

2. The Parents |Wait... hang with me!|

I won't lie, the hardest thing about being a teacher are all of the harsh parents. But, as promised, this isn't an education-bashing blog.

For every angry, disappointed, brutal parent there are hundreds in your corner. Cheering their student's teachers on because they know that educators only want what is best for the kids sitting in their room.

For every cranky, criticizing, nasty-email-sending parent there are parents waiting patiently to answer your requests, to volunteer, and to support your classroom in anyway possible. Take a look!

It is so easy to forget how many parents absolutely value and love what teachers do for their children. In fact, it often only takes one negative interaction to feel like you are the world's worst teacher |especially considering most of the teachers I know are perfectionists|. However, as I mentioned earlier, I want to live the life I encourage my students to live.

If one of my students received a low grade on a math test I would never tell them they are bad at math and to avoid it forever. So, why do I do that to myself? Why does it take one conversation to forget I have so many parents cheering me on?

So, to all the parents out there, if you are one that encourages and respects the teachers in your children's lives - thank you! You are appreciated more than you know!

3. It Allows me to Relate

As a teacher I interact with two of the fastest evolving and ever-changing facets in the world: technology and middle schoolers' preferences.

Teaching keeps me young |even though, according to my 11-year-olds being 24 is practically the same thing as being a card-holding member of the AARP| and keeps me in touch with the newest trends, gadgets and programs available to enhance the classroom.

One of the easiest ways to get students to buy-into your classroom is to care about what they care about. If I can talk to them about the newest movies that are out or social media they may be more willing to talk to me about symbolism, literary analysis, and annotations.

Teaching gives us a powerful platform - we are able to hold our students to higher standards while also meeting them where they are. I want my students to feel like my classroom is a place that represents them - not view it as a sterile place void of anything modern or current. If my kids feel welcomed as they are they will feel safe, and inturn will be more likely to take academic risks and push their thinking.

My job is great! And my job is really hard. But, if I leave teaching, what job will I find that will not have this combination?

All I know, is I am forever thankful that 120 kids, a strong handful of parents, and my ability to stay connected to society make the hard parts of my job completely, and totally worth it.