The past week has been extremely, extremely hectic.
Last Saturday, I learned of some unsettling news that occurred at our high school. Something that made me feel dead sick to my stomach and I couldn't even fathom how those who were directly impacted must have felt. We had a discussion of the two situations, and our conclusion was that: it all starts with us (at the middle school).
It continued onto Monday when we had our professional development. Students had the day off. The first thing that we see is "A Guide for Mandated Reporters: Child Abuse is Everybody's Business." Ah. That day I learned multiple things: all teachers are mandated reporters, consensual sex between two 13 year-olds is not considered abuse, spanking (age appropriate?) is also not abuse, an average of 4 children die every day from abuse or neglect, and if a teacher does not report information about a child's abuse within 36 hours it is considered a misdemeanor.
Yeah. Hello accurate predicament for the dreary week to follow.
I didn't even know what the heck a mandated reporter was! Never mind the fact that I AM a mandated reporter. Apparently mandated reporters are professionals who work with or regularly come into contact with children. Mandated reporters must reasonably draw on the facts of the case to suspect child abuse or neglect which leads to making a report to a child protection agency (Department of Children and Family Services). Ugh.
Side track for a bit. Whenever I hear people use the words "rape" and "molest" in a light hearted manner, it upsets me. It genuinely upsets me. If there's ONE thing that I have learned from this entire year, it is the intensity of how much I need to be AWARE of the language that I use because it most certainly affects those near and around me. People state "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Just WHAT? Of course words hurt. Words affect those around you. Words are EVERYTHING that we use when communicating. Of course, they hurt. Next time you decide to throw in the words "molest" or "rape" please think twice.
Ok back to the week. Parent conference week. I have officially decided that parent conferences = free family therapy. Basically. That's all I'm going to put out there. Parent conferences are not that fun point blank.
However, despite my usual venting, I did have some STELLAR moments this week. I really did. 1) A student asked me how my day was. Note: He asked ME how my day was, not the other way around. I responded with a thumbs down. Before students enter the class, I shake each and every single one of their hands. Now, this kid, this WONDERFUL kid (same student who asked me how my day was) tells me that I'm his favorite teacher and that he appreciated all the hard work I do for the class. I started tearing up IMMEDIATELY. I couldn't even handle. The truth. Haha. I had to close the door for a bit and ask them to give me a moment. Moments like these are SO RARE. There's just too much chaos all the time for us to even appreciate when we have good moments. But this one was right at my face. Pow. Later, I saw his mom and told her what an awesome young adult she's raised. I just. He's a good kid. 2) One of my advisory girls had her first period today!! Haha whoot! The awkward pubescent times of middle school. It was adorable (I think). She on the other hand probably died of embarrassment because it leaked. No worries, Miss Mok to the rescue. It ended on a good note. Sometimes, I forget these are 11 year olds. Sometimes, I expect them to be young adults when they are in fact, only, 11 years old. Sometimes, I just have to remind myself of that (while getting immensely frustrated with the lot of them). 3) A colleague of mine sent me an email with the subject title "I think you are awesome." Good start right?? She then proceeded to tell me how she thinks I'm doing a tremendous job at REALM. She also stated how I'm one of the best teachers she's seen. What?? (You sure girl?) This is only my first year teaching. Anyways, she then goes on to thank me for my dedication, patience, persistence, sharp wit, and fun sense of humor. I wrote back to her that when I receive praise, I always feel undeserving of it and I don't usually know how to respond. But I said thank you and that I really do appreciate this email. Yeah. 3 awesome moments. What more could I ask for?
Honestly, despite the unstoppable craziness of my job, I love it. I absolutely love it.
This is my passion. My drive. Everything. I can't imagine not going to school the next day and not teaching. Year 1 = Hazing Year ---> Year 2 = YEAR OF GREATNESS
You already know though.
Funny video for you to watch involving teachers reading some tweets their students made about them:
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