Ok... so I know I had my little soap box earlier last week but I have to add an addendum to my earlier rantings.....
Today is a day that I love.
Today makes teaching worth it all.
Today I LOVE my job!
Today, I LOVE my kiddos!
Today... I am so proud of what I do and of my students.
Today we took our reading tests. My students are always so nervous. A lot of what they do, where they go, and how they get help depends on what these tests show. I work with the kids that began below grade level. At the beginning of the year, everyone is on a level playing field because they all have a hard time understanding what they read. It's my job, to help them learn to understand, and hopefully in the process, learn to love reading.
On testing days, I usually get a mixture of 'oooooh's' and 'oh nooooo's' from them. Some of them love the challenge that is before them to improve from where they were last time. They jump at the chance to better themselves, to up their game and to have proof that they have been working hard. Others seem weighed down by the fact that, yet again, they are being tested. Long tests that show where they are at --at a subject that is such a struggle for them. They wince at the idea that maybe, just maybe they could have worked a little harder. And what if they don't do better? What if? What if? It's haunting to some of my sweet kids.
But today.... I love today. Almost every single one of my students have improved from their last quarter score. Almost every single one!! I have had many that have not only tested at grade level but have surpassed and are (trumpets please...) ABOVE grade level!!!!
I am so very proud of all of my students. They work so very hard every day in class. They put up with me expecting more than they think they can do. They work hard and they work often. They are expected to come to reading ready to work and work hard. And look at them now.... improving, reading at or above grade level and with huuuuge smiles on their faces. The greatest thing about today is that I get to share the excitement with them as they see their hard work pay off!
Today is a great day to be a teacher. A great day to be their teacher!!
❤️
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