Alarm clock goes off- it’s 5:15 in the morning and another day has begun. The morning routine begins: brushing teeth and hair, washing the face, putting on make-up. Lunch made the night before, I make my coffee, grab some breakfast for later, and head out the door. I arrive at my elementary school 45 minutes before the first students will be walking in and begin preparing for the day.
Morning work, our morning meeting, Math, Reading, and Writing all before lunch. Planning turns into execution as I get out the necessary materials knowing that so much more will be learned today than the content I have prepared. A student may have a question that leads me to present more information than I had planned. Another student may be confused about the Math strategy that we are learning and we may not get to each activity I have set out. Another student may get sick or come in late, leaving me to catch them up or regain the focus of the class.
The clock strikes seven and it all begins.
The morning of a school day reminds me of the metro system in Washington, D.C. Everything seems calm and quiet and then, “thud, thud, thud,” the train, or 20 sets of little feet, comes speeding in. A rush of faces, voices, and excitement fills the air and then all becomes quiet once again. Twenty students in their seats, backpacks hung up, and pencils out-I look around hoping they are ready and excited to learn.
Announcements come on and eager eyes turn to the SMARTboard to watch the school news. Before I know it, it is time to begin the reading lesson, move on to our centers, go through a math lesson, and move through more centers. Then there is writing and lunch; recess and special areas. Two o’clock rolls around and the precious children are lining up to go home.
Another day has ended.
While it seems as a routine day from the outside, any number of things have made the day unique. Drills, guests, field trips, and any number of things make each day special. Some days we may not get to every lesson that I have carefully outlined; students may not be as engaged in the creative activity I planned as I had hoped. So is the life of a teacher. It isn’t always easy and it isn’t always fun, but it is always worth it. The smile on a child’s face when he or she finally understands that concept; the proud gaze of parents who have watched their child learn to read fluently- these are the reasons that teachers get up in the morning.
So as you rush your children out the door and send them off on the bus or drop them off at the school building, think about the teachers. They are building on what you pour into them at home or supplementing the love and care that some don’t receive at home. They play the part of counselor, educator, confidant, nurse, defender, and so much more each day.
Writer Bio
Shelby is a Senior Elementary Education major with a Spanish minor. She works as a barista and spends mornings in a 2nd grade class as a student teacher. As an Air Force brat, she has moved all around the United States and traveled to several other countries. In her free time, Shelby loves spending time with her family, adventuring with her boyfriend, and making memories with her friends. In every area of her life, God comes first, although she has to remind herself to trust Him in every situation. Through writing, Shelby hopes to show people the great grace of her Savior and how to live life to the fullest.
