Lunch Date!!!

As you know, this has been a bumpy week.  Full of meetings (and one inquisition), testing, and really, really cold cross-walk duty!  Weeks like this make it easy to gripe and forget the really important stuff.  I am guilty of that.  I have been telling four of my RR students that we would soon have a celebration~that was two weeks ago.  Fortunately (for me, not for him), only one little guy remembered that I had said it.  It was getting to the point where I would try not to run into him because I just could not stand to look at his beautiful little face and tell him once again that no, the 'party' wouldn't be today.  Heartbreak...guilt.  Bad teacher moment.

So, yesterday, I told myself "this is the day."  Nothing would stop me.  I was incredibly busy and had so much to get done.  But that is true of everyday.  Yep, it HAD to happen today.  I was not ready for a 'party'.  I had not come bearing gifts.  Hopefully though, the kids would be okay with that.

Soon after the bell rang and the kids were somewhat settled, I went into their classroom and whispered in their ear..."would you like to have lunch with me today?"  Their reaction was nothing short of pure delight!  They were so excited!  I was so relieved!  Still, I was a bit worried that they would be disappointed at the lack of fan fare.  But kids are amazing that way, aren't they?  They seem to find joy in the smallest of pleasures.

At lunchtime, we walked together to the cafeteria to pick up our rubber cheeseburgers, then headed back to my room.  It was then that I realized that these four little ones were giving me a gift, not the other way around.  Just being able to be in their little world for 25 minutes was awesome.  They were not guarded.  They did not have to perform for me.  They were carefree and jovial.  They talked about pets, X-Box, iPods, DS games...and yes, of course boogers and various other bodily functions :-).  I didn't say much at all.  Just listened and savored those few precious moments.

I am so glad that I didn't allow some menial task get in the way of my lunch date on this day.  I almost wish that I could have lunch with a few kids everyday.  But maybe that would take away some of the magic.  Who knows.  All that matters I guess, is that today, four little first graders welcomed me into their world.  And however brief it was, it was pure heaven.  I hope they invite me back soon!

Enjoy your coffee...I'm enjoying mine (Boyers~Rocky Mountain Thunder est. 1865)


~Cab Lover

My heart hurts...

The last thing I want is for this blog to turn into a place where I just gripe...so, I plan to start 'not griping' tomorrow!  Tonight, I need to VENT.  I need some advice.  I need some hugs.  And, most of all...I need an ear (or ears).  I know, I'm kinda needy that way.  Oh my, was today a challenge!

A good friend of mine once said, "I would LOVE to be the principal of an orphanage!"  I know that sounds horrible, but I so get what she means.  Parents can be just down-right mean.  I am a parent...to six wonderful-but-challenging-in-their-own-way children (well, young adults, really).  So I really do get that as a parent you must advocate for your children.  I wouldn't expect anything less.  What I don't get is when parents turn something that should so clearly be about their child into something that so clearly is about them.  This is infuriating.  It is hurtful, for everyone involved.  And it is so damn selfish! 

I had, perhaps, the worst meeting of my career today.  I had anticipated that it would be less than smooth, but I had no idea that one 'supposed' professional could treat a roomful of other professionals with such disdain and disrespect.  It was jaw dropping to say the least.  Before I go any further, let me just say with my whole (aching) heart that this is not about pride or ego on my part (or of those members of our spectacular team).  This is about RIGHT AND WRONG.  This is about doing what is BEST FOR THE CHILD.  This is so NOT about the parent, or at least shouldn't be!

So, our meeting went 'south' very quickly.  I would say that the 'agenda' of this parent became clear the moment she walked through the door (15 minutes late I might add).  I take that back.  Her agenda became clear when she sent me an actual one-page agenda a few hours prior to our meeting (a.k.a inquisition)!  She clearly had a chip on her shoulder.  She clearly was angry.  And she clearly was not going to be reasonable.  Thank goodness for our wonderful principal and our team of dedicated professionals (friends)!  Well, the meeting lasted a whopping 10 minutes.  And let's just say we did not hug or pass high-fives on our way out.  In fact, the tension in that room was so thick you could taste it.  I'm pretty sure we all sat there, mouths agape, a full 3 minutes before a word was uttered.

Once we regained some semblance of reality, we dove into our debrief.  Voices escalated.  Minds raced. Tears flowed (just mine, really).  An action plan was made.  Bonds were strengthened.  Did I mention that I cried?

Remember when I said this wasn't about ego?  Or pride?  Rather about right and wrong?  I have been told that I have an overwhelming sense of justice.  To a fault maybe.  I just don't know how to reconcile that with reality sometimes.  When someone says to me, "are you sure that is the hill you want to die on?", my answer is most often, YES!  If it means fighting for what is right, then yes!  How can I say this child means more than that child?  Or, I will stick my neck (and my job) out for her, but not him?  I just can't do it!  I can't.

I don't know how this will end.  I'm really trying to be open minded.  Really.  I just have such a hard time setting aside my convictions.  My sense of right and wrong.  Especially when it means compromising my values.  My integrity.  The integrity of my team.

Thanks for letting me vent.  I still need your advice.  Your hugs.  Your ears.

Warmly,

~Cab Lover

From anger comes inspiration...

Ok, so Friday I was a bit miffed. Well, incredibly miffed! In fact, I was so upset I stewed for the entire evening and into Saturday morning.  Not sure what I'm talking about?  Then you must read Friday's post.  The good news...from my anger came inspiration!

Matt and I had a photo shoot in Pueblo on Saturday so we had plenty of time to talk during the commute.  Truth be told, I talked (griped, really) for the first hour or so, and then let him speak.  Matt is a great problem solver.  He is innovative in his solutions, and, for the most part, objective.  Unfortunately, my objectivity flew out the window when the maniacal mother tried to force her baby to cross over a lane of traffic!  But, I'm over it...sort of!

During our 2 1/2 hour drive, we (mostly Matt) came up with some pretty creative solutions to our parking lot/Kiss-n-Go lane safety issues.  Most of my solutions involved non-PC behavior and had to be abandoned.  Matt, however, is more level headed and politically savvy. 

I can't really let the cat out of the bag yet, as I have to speak with our principal, but I think we may be onto something.  The great thing about Renaissance~we have some AWESOME, INCREDIBLE, MARVELOUS parents.  Parents who are passionate about their children, but more importantly in this particular instance, passionate about ALL children.  They want them to be safe...even if they are running late to work (or coffee, or to the gym)!

So, if you want to be part of the solution (Renaissance parents), or have some suggestions about how your school approaches parking lot or drop off lane safety, leave a comment or email me (teachmania68@gmail.com).  We need your support!

In the mean time, look both ways before crossing (and bring your crossing guard some coffee)!

Speaking of coffee...(Boyers, Rocky Mountain Thunder with caramel syrup (sugar free of course)!

~Cab (and coffee) Lover