Marigolds Among the Madness

02/22/2023

Tonight the pencil broke.

My beautiful blond haired middle schooler snapped her pencil she was trying so hard.

We’ve been working for weeks in a skill she may or may not ever master.

So many thoughts wonder through my head as she struggles to remember how to multiply.

Thoughts of co workers comments made in frustration race through my mind. They aren’t talking about my child today but one day they will.

It’s so much quieter when “x” isn’t here.

“X” is making me crazy today.

Not one of the finest moments in teaching… but real responses to frustration.

Consider for a moment what it’s like to be on the other side of the desk.

I hope “x” doesn’t call on me today.

“X” told me it didn’t matter if I learned this…

“X” told me to go to small group again.

I’m not smart.
I’ll never learn this.
It’s too hard.
I’m a failure.

It’s more than we ask adults to bear.

As an adult you can choose to walk away or quit your job.
You can move to a new city or learn a new skill.

A child is stuck.
Stuck with you.

Stuck with your attitude towards their abilities and disabilities.
Stuck with feeling less than when called to leave the room with teacher x.
Stuck with your frustration when they can’t learn fast enough or need more time.

Tonight my child feels the full weight of another teachers expectations despite her disability.

What if we showed grace, kindness, and sensitivity rather than disappointment and disapproval?

What if expressed high expectations as belief in a students abilities rather than a measure of what they will never attain?

What if teachers didn’t take it personally when a child struggled?

What if every emotion we communicated said I’m rooting for you rather than I’m disappointed by you.

02/11/2023

Hello marigolds!

I apologize for waiting so long to write!

This year has brought a roller coaster of emotions and if you are like me…. The dark rainy days of February have felt endless.

I saw this post on fb today and stole it for us!

This week I felt all of these emotions.

Dang. Was it ever hard!

It’s also that magical time of year when you are possibly signing a new contract to teach for next year.

Are you staying? Are you ready to make a move? Wherever you are, make you are valued and appreciated.

If you love what you do, and you love where you are…. It’s not work. It’s just you living your best life. I hope you find your spot. ♥️

10/10/2022

Don’t forget to reach back on your way to the top!

10/07/2022

First of all.....
I want to applaud the gentlemen who did the professional development I attended recently. He tried. He really did.
He was kind.
He was smart.
And dog gonnit...I liked him!

But at some point, someone in the world has to agree that a room full of teachers does not need a 'get to know you' activity. We do not want to 'partner up' and play a game.
We need you to give us information down and dirty and let us get back to our job.

So! The next time the speaker offers to let you fill out a survey on their performance, be kind....but be truthful. If you took 8 hours to tell me what you could have in 1....something is wrong. Follow up with your administration (be kind) to let them know the information was not useful and let them know specifically what you need in your school.

Let your TEACHER VOICE be heard.

Much love,
Nikki

09/05/2022

It doesn’t matter what others think about you. What matters is what YOU think about yourself.

09/04/2022

My kids are bonkers for our class pet. You could have one too!

Pets in the Classroom is an educational grant program to support public school teachers to have aquarium fish or small pets in the classroom

08/31/2022

Don’t let them take it!!

08/28/2022

When you are not valued where you are…. Food for thought!

Saw this analogy and it made so much sense. A bottle of water at Sam's is $0.25. The same bottle in the supermarket is worth about $0.50. The same bottle at fast food place costs $2. In a good restaurant or hotel it can be worth up to $3. At an airport or on the plane, you may be charged $5. The bottle and the brand is the same, the only thing that changes is the place. Each place gives a different value to the same product. When you feel like you are not worth much and everyone around you belittles you, change places. Do not stay there. Have the courage to change places and go to a place where you are given the value you deserve. Surround yourself with people who really appreciate your worth. Don't settle for less. You are worthy!

(Copied from another post)

08/20/2022

My poor Terry has replayed this scene many times this week. Our kiddos looked amazing the first week. Now, willow swears her feet are broken every morning. My system for locating clothes has fallen apart and water bottles have gone missing. It’s rough.

I’m not going to lie. I hate coffee and twice I stopped for coffee... real grown up coffee…. Because I couldn’t get moving.
Back to school “yeah!” has faded into a groan as the alarm clock goes off every morning.

I‘m tempted to get a tattoo of a pirate ship with the words UNSINKABLE across the sails. I’m navigating a new job, new co-workers, etc. and then because the universe likes to laugh at me, my washer died. The washer…… died.

I leaned on the washer…. Thanked it for its loyal service, and had a loooooong moment of silence. Rest In Peace Kenmore…. You will be missed.

I slid on my comfy clothes and headed to the local appliance store.

On the way Lexie was reading her book to me. Something about tornadoes. And that’s when I remembered how far we’ve come since our tornado. There was a day I didn’t have a home much less a washing machine.

My deep breath caused Lexie to look up from her books.

I decided to count my blessings.

That job that is making me a tiny bit crazy is the same job I worked my fingers to the bone to get a degree for more than once.

The kids in my room are the highlight of my days and I am enjoying the adventure of getting to know them. I need to keep my eye on the prize….

The degree I’m earning will allow me to encourage more teachers ….. and possibly have great empathy for the new ones I encounter.

So-
We went out to dinner and get shaved ice.
I did a craft project just to make myself happy even though I was tired.
I recognized my frustration was exhaustion wrapped in anxiety. So I rested.

You need rest too.

So, you formally have my permission to rest at some point this weekend. Really rest.

On the sofa. With a blanket. A real coke. And possibly powdered doughnuts.

Hang in there little marigold…. We can do this!

Much love
Nikki

08/09/2022

Happy fifth day of school!!
If you’re like me…. You’re too tired to eat. But tomorrow we’ll get up and do it again!!

How is your marigold doing?
Remember that person we thought of this summer… the one who might need encouragement? It’s time to check in on your friends because we are not okay!

Switching from summer ”me” to school “me” has been hard and we all need a little encouragement.

Spread some encouragement tomorrow and let the people you are working with know that you see how hard they are working and you can appreciate their strugggle.

Buy them a coke, offer a hug… heck even a piece of gum could give your friend the love they need to push through those afternoon classes.

Hang in there!

I think you’re awesome….

Nikki

07/31/2022

I saw this today on another post. THIS is data I could learn to love! How can you purposely incorporate play into your lesson so students can learn?