Thank you!!

I love reading other people’s blogs.  It is just amazing to see how talented and funny so many people are.  It is such a great way to get a little peek into people’s lives and realize once again that we are all probably m0re alike than we are different.  If you haven’t tried it, one thing you might not realize is how important all the readers are to the blogger.

I get so excited every time someone leaves a comment about one of my posts.  I love the idea that someone – some place – is reading about things I liked doing with my Kindergartners, and sometimes they even like the ideas!  I just wanted to say thank you to all of my readers – wow – my readers!

I know really well what the life of a Kindergarten teacher is like.  You have to get to school as early as you can, to get your act together before the munchkins arrive.  Everything has to be ready because you can’t go cut paper or get out the glue or turn your back on those 4-6 year olds!  Then there is not a minute’s break while the kids are with you.  Even when you are not directly teaching or working with a child, someone needs a shoe tied, a tissue supplied, a reminder about not writing on the table, or standing on the table, or cutting their friend’s hair.  The old saying about needing eyes in the back of your head is clearly not enough for a Kindergarten teacher – you need 360 degree vision, and 20 pairs of hands.  Not to mention trying to teach all the benchmarks, interact in their play, differentiate your instruction, build their self esteem, conduct meaningful assessments that guide your instruction, maintain a semblance of order and keep them all safe.

Sometimes they go to lunch, or P.E. or music.  Usually most of that time is used up getting a bandaid for someone who fell on the way, talking to a parent who stops you in the hall, or writing a note, or making a phone call.  I always forgot to go to the bathroom right away – that’s why teachers have so many bladder infections.

Then before you go home – you have to clean up, get stuff out for the next day, touch base with teaching partners, make copies or get projects ready – it just doesn’t end.  At last it’s time to go home where so many teachers keep right on with different kinds of prep until bedtime – fitting in family time as best you can.

So, the idea that some of you spend your precious time reading my blog is very humbling.  I think of my blog as my transition away from teaching Kindergarten.  I really did love it, and miss it a lot.  I am just delighted with my grandchildren and I know what a privilege it is for me to be able to see them so often, and be part of their lives, it is where I am supposed to be right now – but all those stories, songs and projects are still part of me too.  Thank you for allowing me to share my ideas and activities and memories with all of you!  And if you ever have a minute – I’d love to hear from you!

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