“Isn’t it crazy how much you enjoy them?” One of my teacher friends from college asked me this weekend while at dinner. Like most of us teachers, I would come home from elementary school and teach the days lesson to all of my stuffed animals sitting in front of me.
Melissa’s question got me thinking: she’s right. They are definitely much more fun (and lively) than my stuffed animal students. I certainly have many precious moments that make me so grateful to be in my second year of teaching.
Here are some special moments I’ll want to remember about my 2019-2020 group so far:
- When I gave them the prompt “Ms. Woodruff was in a meeting and looked down and realized her Apple Watch wasn’t charged … Write the beginning to this story.” Their responses were so sweet and made me appreciate how much I do share about my life (thanks workshop connections !!). Some stories mentioned how my reminders won’t come up for meetings, i might miss texts from my mom which will worry her, I’ll get approximately 2 “potential spam calls” each afternoon, and that I wouldn’t be able to set my timer using Siri for any student who might not be using time effectively 😉
- How they cheer each other on and tell each other “we can do hard things” or even write it on a whiteboard during an assessment for each other
- How somehow my fear of mice jokingly turned into a few students wanting to have a classroom pet mouse and writing opinion essays to convince me that this is needed.
- Our love of post-it notes
- Their love of finding good books for each other
- How they love each read aloud
- How they finish my sentences at times
- How they’re still convincing me that we need a classroom pet mouse whose name is now “Jim”
- Relationships matter and I’m really enjoying my second class ever. Just not enough to give them said “Jim” 😉
- Thanks to all my stuffed animals for the years of training. Yes, Melissa, the real deal is much better than I ever imagined.
Allie Writes 
Fun format. Great quick into and tied close along with your recurring mouse theme makes for an entertaining slice.
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I think it was Julia Child who said, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Your piece reminds me of that saying.
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What a wonderful community and what great bonds you’ve developed with your students. I love that you start this slice with a question from a friend that got you thinking.
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You were born to be a teacher! It is clear you bring such enthusiasm, joy, and dedication to your students… and they give that back to you.
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Maybe I should get you a mouse named Jim. How did I miss this? That’s hilarious. I like the way you tie Melissa’s question in with your reflections. Nice!
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I’ll pass on the offer but it really is so cute. Some of them try and leave their snack trash as a trap for him to come 😉
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Absolutely adorable … it’s all a testimony to the great relationship you’ve developed with the class and the class as a community. This is a place where I would have loved to be as a child. Oh, and I did have a pet mouse once. Didn’t know it was pregnant … within a couple of days, I had a litter of mice! If said Jim does materialize (!!) make sure he’s a he! You’re doing magnificent work here – truly.
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