An Introduction: Teacher... Mom.... Superhero???

So many times I tell people that I am a special education teacher for students in grades K-2 and the responses are always similar in nature!
                "You are amazing!"
                "I don't know how you do it"
               "You must be a special person."
               "Wow, I could never do that."

And then I wait for it....

             "It must be nice to have summers off though!"

I politely acknowledge their comment and continue with my day.  Yes, I do enjoy my 2 weeks for Christmas and my time during the summer, but to imply that I have the time off is a bit of an insult.  I invite anyone of them to come spend the day in my classroom and then go home to be mom.

My day starts by making sure both my kids are up and my daughter is out the door to catch the bus by 6:40 am, then my son and I are out the door shortly there after to drive the 50 minutes to the school where I work (which is only 12 miles away).  Don't get me wrong, I am lucky to have a husband that gets up to help.  He makes lunches and makes sure they both have breakfast so that I can shower and get ready.  But there are certain things that only a mom can do, especially with a preteen daughter!

Once we get to school (usually at least 40 minutes before contract time), it is meetings and lots of paperwork.  Before I know it, my students begin to arrive. 

I have a self-contained non-categorical class.  Technically, I have only 2 students on my roster, but I am case manager for a total of 11, many of which are with me for all of language arts and math.  My room is the size of a closest and one of students has equipment that we use throughout the day to help increase her fine and gross motor skills. We are constantly tripping over each other, responding to urgent behavioral intervention calls and changing diapers.  I have a fabulous IA who can read my mind most of the time and knows exactly what to do in ALL situations.  I am not sure I would be successful without her. 

As our day starts, it is lunch while teaching, quick bathroom break if you can squeeze it in and the unexpected parent meeting that is a necessity to keep the parent from stressing out and interpreting a situation incorrectly.  By the time I leave at 5 or 5:30 PM, I have put more than 16,000 steps in and still have lots more paperwork waiting for me at home and in the morning.  BUT... it is time for my second job... Being mom. 

It is off to dance or sports... don't forget to pick up groceries, help with homework and at some point I guess we should have some dinner.  So yes, I will put chicken nuggets in the oven, pick up a pizza or order take out... I am tired, hungry, cranky and did I mention tired.  On to showers, reading time and bed... then wait for it... more paperwork!!  Yep, I have to do even more paperwork so that I am in compliance with the law and county regulations.  Then off to bed... finally to wake up and start all over!

So why do I do this.... easy.... "For the kids..."  I love my students, each and every one of them.  I love their quirks, their behaviors, their smiles, their laughs and most importantly the way their faces light up as they learn something new and get the concept for the first time!  I love the big hugs I get from them when I return from a training or sick day or school break!  I love seeing them years later and hearing about the progress they have made.  I am so proud of each and everyone of them....  For those of you who say "I don't know how you do it..."  Look at the smiles on their faces, look at the love of learning in their eyes and then tell me how you couldn't do it!  These kids depend on me, trust me and look forward to coming to school each and everyday!  I do it for the kids... your kids and my own.  So yes, I do enjoy my summers "off".  I use it to  regroup, refresh and focus on my OWN kids.  I also use it for professional development and start my planning for the fall....

The next time someone says "I'm a teacher," put yourself in their shoes for a day, walk the halls, deal with behaviors while teaching a class of students with ADHD, have lunch in a cafeteria with 125 students.  Yes, we technically have summers "off", but believe me, we deserve it!!