If you can read this, thank a teacher.

Teachers are amazing people. (And though I am proud to be one of them, I'm not trying to toot my horn) I've just been amazed at how much they will go out of there way to not only help their students, but to help each other.  I have gotten an amazing amount of support from the teachers I work with as I've struggled to get my feet under me this year. And I've been amazed to see how generous and giving this group of incredibly underpayed individuals can be.  They are constantly reaching into their pockets to help others in need.

This week I was twice the recipient of teachers helping another teacher to supply her classroom.  Two days ago I was given a very large box of math manipulatives, much needed in my classroom. I was told to take whatever I needed and pass along the rest. Today I was at a yard sale rummaging through a huge collection of books, obviously from a classroom library. The mother of the woman holding the yard sale saw my excitement and asked if I was a teacher. When I replied yes, and that I am working on building my library she told me she was sure her daughter would give me a deal.  She did.  She handed me a good size box, told me to cram in all the books I could....fill it to overflowing...and she would sell it to me for five dollars.  I was thrilled! I just went from having only one shelf on my two shelf bookcase full, to having to ask for a bigger bookcase on Monday!!

The teachers I know and have worked with have proven to me over and over again that it takes a special breed of person to teach. You won't get rich or famous being a teacher. You may never recieve the appreciation and accolades you deserve. You'll put in long days and often take work home with you and never see a stitch of overtime pay. You'll be ignored, disrespected and even yelled at by some students and parents.  You have to teach because you want to make a difference in a childs life, whether that child or his/her parents ever recognize that difference. You do it for those times when you see a child actually learn, and get excited about learning....for the handmade cards and pictures...and the association with amazing people. There are days I wish I never had to go back to work, and days I think I have the best job in the world. But everyday I am grateful for the people I work with. I learn from them constantly. They are the best!

Frailties of the written word

     Written text can be an amazing thing. When crafted well it can take us to places we've never been... evoke great emotion...completely captivate us.  However, even the most gifted wordsmith  cannot completely control the interpretation of his words. Each reader takes from text differently, based on what experience, belief or predjudice they bring to the table.  Which is why two readers can have very different experiences with the same piece of text.  No matter how talented the writer, there is always room for interpretation.

     Unfortunately this can make the written word a very flawed method of communication. Especially for those of us who are not especially gifted with the medium.  Readers cannot hear the inflection or tone of voice of the writer. Cannot see their facial expressions. As a result things may be read into a text that never existed in the mind or heart of the writer. Inaccurate assumptions can be made and offences taken that were never intended.  What seems obvious to one reader...completely unseen by another. 

     So we must be cautious when using text to communicate. Cautious that the text we use is not overly sarcastic, or vague...unless we are certain that the reader knows us well enough to understand our intent, or give us the benefit of the doubt and ask for clarification if they are uncertain. As readers we need to remember that we cannot make hasty assumptions about what we read. We need to be slow to take offence, and willing to extend the benefit of the doubt until we can ask and learn whether our assumptions are accurate. If we don't we run the risk of damaging, or even ending, relationships for reasons that exist only in our own hearts and minds and not those of the writer.

I found more time.

I figured out how to get that extra time I want, that I blogged about back in November (Can I have a day?). Apparently all I have to do is start working at the 99 cent store. :0)