For the first time, I was called “mom” today.
I remember back in high school that occassionally I would address my favorite history teacher, Ms. Tufo, as Mom. I think it was a result of both being around her so much and seeing her as an authority figure.
I have mixed feelings about the situation now being switched around. On one hand, I think it shows that my kids (well, at least one) respect my authority. On the other hand, it made me realize just how big of an impact I could have on these kids.
Woah.
Talk about a reality check. It is so easy in this line of work to get caught up in the paperwork and laws that you quite regularly lose sight of why you are really there. Then, every once in awhile, a student reminds you that “hey! I’m over here, waiting for you! You could change my life you know?”
It scares me all the more so. My administration is riding me because I haven’t learned Spanish yet. TFA is riding me because I don’t have a big goal or tracking. My life is less than organized and all I really want to do is sleep in my moose pants.
But I’m going to get up tomorrow and work my kid’s butts off learning about the early Spanish explorers…..if only for the girl who called me “Mom”.
You’re expected to learn Spanish in how many months? It took these kids all their lives to learn their first language and you are expected to learn it in four months? Screw ‘em. Don’t let them get you down. I’m proud of you for at least making the effort.
A teacher’s pay should be measured by their impact on students lives in general, not just in the grades. In these times so many teachers just don’t care any more about anything but test scores. To have as much of an impact to have a student call you “mom” shows that you do have that impact. As such, you need a raise. Stick it to the man!!!!