I’d like to start off by saying I have nothing to hide.
Nothing.
I’m an open book.
I’ll tell you everything I know, plus even some things I don’t know (but think I have a pretty good idea about), and then I’ll even tell you some things I shouldn’t tell you (because it’s not my business, but I can’t help it), and, by the way, when you suffer from FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) as I do, it makes me feel as if I have to be in the know all of the time so that I can tell you even more things.
Like I said — Open Book.
I’m even this way in my classroom.
Really.
It’s true. Come on in.
However.
Ahem.
There are those times When Someone Walks In.
And things aren’t going as planned.
You know what I’m talking about.
This year, I have a student who needs a full-time aide which means someone is always in my room. And, although she is working with that student, and she is not my aide, and she is busy with that student, I still feel as if I AM BEING WATCHED.
ALL OF THE TIME.
EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY.
Which makes me feel as if I’m on all of the time.
There is no time to just . . . well . . . not suck in my gut, for one thing.
I have a thirty minute period in which my aide goes to lunch and it is GLORIOUS.
I’m telling you – that 30 minute time period is FILLED WITH UNICORNS AND BUTTERFLIES AND PUPPIES AND MY GUT HANGING OUT.
And, I am an open book. I’m not hiding anything. It’s not as if the aide leaves the room and I become a grumpy ole teacher who yells and puts the fear of THOU SHALT NOT HAVE FUN IN THIS CLASSROOM BECAUSE NO ONE IS WATCHING AND SO EVERYONE JUST SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET, IT’S TIME FOR MY NAP ALREADY.
If anything, I almost feel as if I become a better teacher when no one is in the room.
I’m more relaxed. I act even crazier than I normally do. Because it’s just the kids and me and I don’t have an adult in the room wondering if they should call for back-up and a straight jacket stat, she’s lost her ever loving mind, I’ve never seen a case this bad.
Today, my aide had to leave early so my administrator had another aide from a different class take over.
And when she walked in . . . well . . . it was her first time to ever come in my classroom and we were Whipping The Nae Nae.
Watch me Whip.
Watch me Nae Nae.
And I can do it like nobody’s business, let me tell you.
I mean.
Well.
That poor aide.
PS It was a brain break with a purpose because we are learning about digraphs this week and whip has a digraph, just in case you were wondering.
Not that it matters.
Because brain breaks are important for all of us, if you ask me.
Well said! I feel the same way!
I have 3-5 adults in my first grade classroom daily, so I feel your pain and more! (Though I must say, they are all wonderful people, and I appreciate them very much.) It's just not the same as simply having you and your class.
Laughing. So hilarious! (…and true!)
I hear ya. Probably 6 out of 10 times someone walks in we're doing the d low shuffle.
I hear ya. Probably 6 out of 10 times someone walks in we're doing the d low shuffle.
I love this post! I am the same way. Whenever someone new comes in filling in for a student's aide, I feel like I have to defend what we're doing because it's usually something crazy…but it always has a purpose. 🙂 I'm glad I'm not alone.
Be glad you're not going through BTSA. In addition to principal observations, we have mentor observations and this year they added people from the DoE watching us.
Exactly!!! I feel so rigid when anyone is in my room. Sometimes when I'm being "me" when I'm alone with my kids I actually think, "Why can't I be like this when another adult is in the room? They'd probably love it!" But no. Never gonna happen.
Earlier this year my principal came in during a brain break. Go Noodle "Pop Se Ko"! He brings it up at every single staff meeting.
Last year I had a student with a full time aide and I remember that feeling all too well. Then the student moved and the aide left and I missed her so much! But those 30 minutes were priceless!
I love you SO MUCH! I know EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL because I feel EXACTLY the same!
Yessss!! Thank you for saying it! I definitely am a better teacher when there are no other adults!! (very familiar with whip it nae nae but now I must go google the “d low” LOL!)
My room is a three ring circus of adults. There is NEVER less than the two of us, but I have counted 6 in the room at the same time!!! I am one of the shyest people you will meet, but I am overcoming it because my kids do enjoy my straight jacket crazy. 🙂
Stacey
Teaching Ever After
This defines my year so far to a T. The full time aide in my room is awesome and I love her but I feel the exact same way- I am always on. The best moments are when it's just my kids and their "silly teacher!" So glad it's not just me!!
Ha ha ha. Break your legs!
Yes!! I have a student teacher for the first time in many years. Love her, but I really enjoy days when I'm all alone with my kids!
I kno what you mean! I have an assistant whom I dearly love and my room shares a partial wall with another class,,20 kids one teacher and ta, I sometimes go in extra early just to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Love it! I feel the exact same way 🙂
I have a one to one aide for a visually impaired student. Well… we did have an aide, then she left on medical leave, so we got a horrible sub, and she's gone now, so we're getting a new sub…. and he or she will think I'm insane when I start whipping and nae naeing and pop si koing all over the place and I don't care. 🙂 That's why we work with tiny humans! They don't care either!
I completely understand and agree with you! I couldn't have put it better myself!
This is my 29th year in a classroom and, although I've never had a bad experience with a parent helper in the room, I feel exactly the same way that you do. No matter how supportive and understanding the parent is, I always feel like I have to be super prepared and "on" all the time.