My Favorite Things

So I was weightlifting at the YMCA last night, when I realized that a majority of these posts have been had some sort of negative connotation to them. I feel as though I am only portraying the bad parts of my job, which is far from the truth. Sometimes you just feel the need to vent, and what better way to do that then to write out the day's events on the Internet? I'm changing the trend with this post.

There are so many things about this job that I truly enjoy. One thing about this job that I absolutely love is that it there is no such thing as a "normal day." I do not work in a cubicle, I do not have a daily work routine. In summary, I do not have a "9-5" job. Each day keeps me on the edge of my seat! (in some cases, literally...as in when I fell out of my chair).

The second thing I love? The staff! There are so many good people at this school that I just cannot say enough about how caring and genuine that they all are. We all get along very well, and there is definitely no "cliques" or partisianship among the staff members. If people disagree in a meeting, grudges do not seem to carry-over outside of the meeting. I cannot say how supportive they have been throughout my first year of teaching.

And although I complain about the students quite a bit in this blog, I have failed to accurately say how much I enjoy them and the many many times they touch my heart on a daily basis. Some of these kids have such rough lives at home that I feel as though they have such gratitude to be in a 'safe spot" for at least a part of their day. The majority of the students are so polite, so bright... just have such a bright future ahead of them that I feel honored to have at least played a small role in their future successes.

I recently asked my students to complete an anonomous survey for me (the day before Christmas break) that asks them what they like, dislike, and want to see changed in social studies. Some of their responses were very thought provoking, and some brought tears to my eyes... whether it be from laughter or from their kind words.

For instance, here is what one student had to say about social studies...

normally i would hate social studies, but Mr. Anderson makes it really fun! For a first year teacher I think he's done extremely well. I have fun all the time just because he knows how to help students learn in a fun way. I really like the activity we're doing in class now on how government makes laws! I probably wouldn't have understood what was going on if we hadn't done the activity.

Some students shared a little bit about themselves in their survey as well...

I've pretty much liked a lot of [the class]. You are a very good teacher and I've learned a lot and I hope that after Christmas break I will get more together.

One person had some words of advice as to how I can improve myself as a teacher...

Mr. Anderson's stupid, but funny jokes liven up the class. He puts things into terms we can understand. I enjoy his everlasting good composure and attitude...keep on wearing the awesome ties!

I also enjoy when they throw-in their own slang...

Well this has to be one of my best classes, not because of grades, but I like it best. I liked when Mr. Anderson made a fool of himself, and took us outside. You know, Mr. Anderson is a pretty cool kid.

What other profession can you receive a performance review such as this?

I also want to make a small list of my "favorite things" that have happened so far this semester. The list includes the following...

1) Surviving!
2) My homeroom taking 2nd place in the school's canned food drive with $68 donated and over 1,000 items brought-in...breaking a school record. I had nearly 800 bricks of Ramen noodles in my car with their donated money.
3) Doing the "Electric Slide" at the school's staff vs. student volleyball game.
4) My 8th hour students encouraging me to try-out to be in the school play (as a part of the dance team). One student telling me, "it's your time to shine, Mr. Anderson!"
5) Teaching, and learning with my students, how to make balloon animals in homeroom.
6) Instilling the "Spirit of '76" in my students by teaching them about the Boston Tea Party...which amounts to me putting my tie around my head (Rambo style), giving them a "revolutionary pep talk," then storming the troops outside to the Liberty Pole (tie still on my head) with a bag full of chalk and having them write anti-King George III graffiti on the sidewalk.
7) Chaperoning the school dances
8) Winning a cheezy Christmas candle/lamp thing at the school's White Elephant gift exchange.
9) My mentor, who keeps me sane and is always willing to offer advice.
10) Holding a "Mock Congress" session with my classes. I separated them into the House and Senate (me being the President) and had them work together to pass 5 laws that could be enacted for one week. Laws included chewing gum, listening to iPods, etc... I vetoed about 35 bills. Then taught the students that, in eight years as president, Thomas Jefferson failed to veto a single bill (hence why he is a "wimp" in Mr. Anderson's eyes).
11) My parents showing-up on open house to "see how their child was doing."
12) My parents' never-ending support throughout the year.
13) Unexpectedly leading the school in the National Party fight song.
14) "Dr. Hansen" and the whole special ed crew