I AM a Science Teacher

Most of you already know this fact about me. That's usually one of the first things people find out about any person. "So, what do you do?" People always seem so impressed that I teach science. Oh, they think I have to be smart to do that. Do I? I dunno. I work hard to make sure I know about what I am teaching the kids. I can't stand to make a mistake, but, I love for them to learn.

Part of teaching science is doing labs. I love to do labs. My philosophy is kids can't learn science unless they do science. Learning science means getting their hands in there and getting them dirty. Getting into whatever they are doing and not caring if it creates a mess. Who cares? Learning is happening!

I have had students call me Miss Frizzle. I think that's awesome! I love that they feel like I am excited and they must think my methods are interesting to make the comparison! I wish I really did have a magic school bus! That would be so cool!

I have had kids call me "Mama" because they want to, not as a mistake (of course, that has happened, too). It's really funny when a 6'3", 300 pound seventh grader from the ghetto comes up, leans his head down on top of yours and says, "Good morning, Mother." It is also pretty special. It lets you know you have done something to earn respect.

I enjoy what I do and I love to make my kids laugh. They always try to "get me", but, usually lose. I admit I have a really quick wit and sometimes have to catch my own tongue before my quick with gets me into trouble. Some kids aren't quite ready for some of the things that come to my mind!

A couple of days ago, I had a first. I have had labs that didn't go as planned before, that's no big deal. You adjust and go on. However, when the entire room fills with smoke, sugar starts burning, and the room starts smelling like a campfire with marshmallows, I would say that is a lab REALLY not going as planned! The kids loved it! They have talked about it for days! The later classes were very upset that they didn't get to do the same thing. Sorry, nearly setting off the fire alarms once is more than enough for me. Custodial had to come in and bring a huge fan, we had to open the window and doors in 30 degree weather, and it took FOREVER to get the smell and smoke out. Oh well, at least they now know how to super saturate water with sugar!

Priorities

Something happened to me at work the other day that has stuck with me since and keeps pricking at my heart. I was there early, like I normally am. This day, my carpool partner and I got to the school before the secretaries, which happens sometimes. We always go into the office and check our mailboxes before going to our rooms. It's just kind of a thing we do. Well, on the way out of the office, there was a parent waiting.

This isn't really unusual. Parents come into the building all the time. This time, though, was different for me. Why was it different? Because of the very short conversation we had with the parent. The parent had brought some medicine for a child to be given to the nurse who had not yet made it to school yet, either. Then, there was another request. To make a phone call to the high school for the other child who was sick. You see, the family didn't have a phone.

It made me stop and think. That parent walked to school to bring medication for a child. I know this because of the ice crystals that had formed on the hair around the face from breathing out and the breath forming condensation, then crystals. Then, getting to the school, the parent wanted to make sure that the high school knew about the sickness of the older child and the only phone available was the one at our school.

I walked to my classroom nearly in tears. It really touched my heart. I have seen and dealt with poverty. I have seen parents that would get their hair and nails done before buying food. I have had students with the latest cell phones, but, no money for school clothes. I have seen some REALLY backwards priorities when it comes to poverty. Money that could be used for food traded for drugs or car rims. While, this time, the poverty was evident, there were also evident priorities in place.

The kids were obviously more important than anything. The kids came first to the point of walking medication to school in freezing temperatures, and then getting word about illness to the high school. That money for medication could have been spent on anything else. The money could have been spent on cell phones, a car, or just gas. It makes me wonder if I do a good job of placing my priorities in their proper places. It also makes me feel blessed beyond measure.

There have been some difficult times in my life since I had children. There have been some lean years and some weeks where I had to REALLY stretch the budget for groceries. But, I have never had to choose between taking care of my kids or taking care of myself. They do always come first, no matter how selfish I want to be. But, what about other things? Is there something I "have to have" that I can do without? Is there something that is a priority to me that is not a priority to God, nor should it be? Let me have my priorities in order, always.