I'm not saying I'm a hero, but...

I would like to preface this blog post by saying that it is being constructed during the commercial breaks of Wheel of Fortune, which has been my sanity for the duration of the school year.  At times, the only thing that I have to make me feel good about myself in a day is solving puzzles before the contestants.

Not today. Nope, I have far more to feel good about myself today than a silly Wheel (as I affectionately call it) puzzle.

Today I was a hero.  Not because we finished our NJASK (standardized test) review and my kids feel somewhat prepared, not because I had a heartwarming discussion or two with a kid, but because I saved my kids from... a moth.

Because we have NJASK testing all next week, all educational posters and reminders had to be taken off of the walls in my classroom by this afternoon.  God forbid a child needs a little reminder to "line up the dot" when adding decimals.  Anyway, I had my entire class (voluntarily) stay in for recess today to help me with the task.  The kids are off doing odds and ends of clean up when, all of a sudden, I hear a few concerned voices say, "Uhh, Ms. Bonanno... there's a bug."


A bug. Anyone who grew up with me knows that I have mixed feelings about bugs.  Throw a caterpillar or ant my way and I'll entertain it, but throw a spider my way and I'm out the door.  


I look over to where the students were pointing and see a moth about the size of a golf ball sitting on my desk.  Perhaps because they were startled, or because I didn't know what to expect, or maybe just because moths tend to fall somewhere in the middle of my 'bug-entertaining-or-ditching' spectrum, I began to grow very nervous.  At the time, one of my students was standing on a chair that was blocking the door in order to take down some old cause and effect posters.  I feel bad admitting that if he took any more time getting off the chair and out of the way I might have pushed him. (Kidding, but really. I was that nervous). 

Standing in the doorway, I summoned a student to assist us, but saw that the student was planning on killing the moth.  I personally don't feel too much attachment to bugs, but between the mess and the potential of the moth flying and 8 screaming children just didn't sit well with me.  I was almost out the door when I stopped and said to myself, "Karen Ms. Bonanno, you are the adult. You must be the responsible one."


I didn't know it at the time, but my kids will now forever look to me as their hero.


I can't remember another time when I planned and executed a heroic act so well.  I turned to the kids and (at this point I was saying the above mentioned things out loud) said to them, "Alright. Here is what is going to happen.  You are all going to line up in a single file line.  I am going to pick up the moth in my hands and walk it outside.  You will follow me in your single file line as if I am your mother and you are my ducklings.  You will not talk."


Sure enough, after asking them to not watch me several times (I knew if I missed and it flew they would all scream), I was able to work up enough nerves to scoop up the moth and carry out the plan.  As the moth released from my hands outside, there were a few little screams, but then an 11-year-0ld with hand sanitizer (unrequested) and a handful of smiles standing by.


A hero.  I was a hero today... and I solved a Wheel puzzle or two.

Spring Break

The words "spring break" have been in my vocabulary for quite some time now, but never had the implications that they hold now that I am a first year teacher.  It seems silly to be using my last few moments of spring break to write about it, but I can't seem to ignore the significance of this past week.

To give you an idea of how my week was spent, quality time was had with my closest friends and family first at home, and then for a few days in New Orleans.  I was able to relax for the first time in months and I even picked up a book to read for pleasure (if you haven't met Katniss and Peeta yet, I would get started).  You'd be surprised how many times I think to myself, "If my kids only knew how little I read, they would completely shut out my pleas for them to keep reading."

Regardless of how I spent my spring break, though, I cannot ignore the milestone it is for me: a first year teacher. I have survived.  I have made it to spring break. Two months stand between me and a year of teaching under my belt.  Myself and all of the other first-year teachers have weathered many storms: storms for which we at first lacked and then acquired the proper gear.  We have made little differences, but differences enough to keep us going.  Most importantly, we will return to our jobs tomorrow, because our rejuvenated spirits allow us to do so.  

To say I needed spring break would be an understatement.  This milestone had me thinking back to the very beginning of my "teaching career."  Between finding out about my acceptance into TFA and teaching at Camden's Promise, there was Institute.  Institute, which I described as "teacher boot camp," served as a snapshot into the planning, process, politics, and even the pressure of being a teacher.  As if the training wasn't hard enough, I lost my grandmother at the end of the first week.  I remember thinking that the stress was just too much, that I wasn't strong enough to grieve and learn so much at the same time, and that I wanted to quit, or at least defer.  I even made that decision a few times, but it only lasted temporarily.  With the help of those around me at the time, the knowledge of the fact that my grandmom would want me to see it through, and a little spark of the reason why I joined TFA in the first place still in me, I made it through Institute and now -- I've made it through almost a full year of teaching.

Spring break.  I We have made it past spring break of my first year of teaching. 

Field Trips

There are many perks to teaching a lower grade level... my favorite of which being the field trips.

This year the fifth graders have had a variety of trips.  In fact, we've had one each month and have gone everywhere from plays to colleges and museums and more!  Although each trip has been unique in its own way, there are certain things that, for myself as a first year teacher, make them all stand out.  I will try to compile this list of "certain things" here.

1. The teacher comradery.  One of my favorite parts of this year has been getting to know the teachers with whom I work.  I have learned so much from each and every one of them and have come to truly enjoy their friendship.  That being said, the fifteen minutes (give or take) for lunch that we are allotted daily doesn't seem to cut it to foster such friendships.  On top of the short amount of time, we are also generally stressing out about something. It's nice when we have a little more time together in a more relaxed setting to really have fun.  I can really only remember one or two trips where we were actually all sitting together, but from those trips came a lot of laughs and fun. 

2. The bus rides. Well, most of the time.  When the kids aren't screaming across the bus from one another and hanging into the aisles the bus rides aren't all that bad.  The reason I really appreciate the bus rides, though, is that they have provided teachable moments, both for my own kids and for some fifth graders that I don't often interact with.  Usually I'll have a few of my own plop themselves in the seat next to mine so that they can chat with me.  I remember making small talk in the beginning of the year with some of them, trying to learn more about their lives.  Then when our destinations were in Philly, I took pride in teaching them everything I knew about what we were passing as we were passing it.  I had the privilege of talking to them about some places in Old City, the murals on the buildings, China Town, Temple, and I've even been able to point out my street from a distance.  Is there a saying, "Once a tour guide, always a tour guide"? Because if not there should be.

3. The kids' excitement. Who doesn't love field trips? Never do you get to see kids be kids more than when they are discovering and learning during a hands-on, new experience.  Especially when surrounded by these kids, some of whom have already been given a more difficult hand of cards than most adults, it is amazing to see how what some may view as simple can bring someone so much joy and interest.  Yesterday, we took the fifth graders to the Philadelphia Zoo, which had a special zoo-wide exhibit for The Lorax. One of my students has been talking nonstop about The Lorax for the past month.  Needless to say, his enthusiasm was contagious.  

4. Okay, so #4 might not be a theme across multiple trips. It may just be that I got to take my kids to Temple. Yes, Temple University.  Although, I'm not sure what was better: the actual trip of the build up to it.  The build up included dressing up in college gear (first mine and then their own!), learning the Temple fight song, reading about some of the school's programs, and studying questions to ask college students.  Then the actual trip included a women's basketball game and visits from some of my nearest and dearest college friends, and even the executive vice president! Can you say "WIN"?!

5. Having a day off from teaching. Enough said.  I can go in at 7:15 instead of aiming for 6:30. If blogs used hash tags this one's would be #firstyearteacherproblems.

6. Letting your "you" side come out in your "teacher" side.  The day to day happenings of the typical school day don't generally allow for you to interact with your kids in a way that lets you get to know each other as people.  Sure, there are certain times here and there, but field trips allow for you to spend a day being yourself (in your teacher role, of course) and therefore let you get to know your kids even more.  Warning: You may pay a price for this, such as being on the receiving end of sarcasm, being told that you are like someone's mom, and/or having your arm suddenly linked with a 10-year-old's.  

I could probably go on and on about things I like about field trips (and many other aspects of this job, for that matter), but these were just a few things that stood out for now.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the last two trips of the year: another play (we've already seen Charlotte's Web after reading the book) and a trip to this cute little place known as Dorney Park.