My school

Today my fourth grade team threw a baby shower for me. It was wonderful and fun to sit and chat with the people I work with. Everybody was so kind and everybody is is excited about the twins. I love how everybody is excited right a long with me. I walk down the hallways and everybody is checking to see how I am doing. They are all so supportive.

Right now there are five pregnant teachers on staff, and what amazes me is that our awesome principal comes to every one of the baby showers. He sits and eats cake with us as we ohh and ahh over the baby outfits. I'm sure it means just as much to the other ladies as it does to me that he is willing to take time to do that. And he didn't even get upset with me today when I poked fun at him for asking what a onsie was. :)

Then there is my team. I work with some of the best people I know. This year there are only four of us, and we are tight. We celebrate with each other, vent to each other, and give each other advice. We collaborate about everything from science lab lessons to dealing with strange parent situations. They are a lot of fun to be with. Every one of them is the type of person I would chose to spend time with even if I didn't work with them. I love all three of them!

Next comes Miss Julia. Miss Julia is one of the hardest working women I have ever met. She cleans our hallway and takes care of all of us on the OPES blue hall. We've always known she was unbelievable, but thought it pretty cool that our district thought so too last year when she was voted staff member of the year. No one is more deserving. She checks on me all the time, and helps keep my kids in check. One day I was toting around my heavy book bag as we returned from the computer lab. She followed me into the class and addressed my students saying, "Now listen here. This is your teacher, and you need to take care of her. Next time I see her carrying this heavy book bag you all will have to answer to me." My kids shook their heads in agreement and all you could hear was this mumbled, ashamed-sounding, "yes Miss Julia."

Tomorrow the fourth grade is taking a field trip and I am unable to go. (Can't travel more than 30 minutes away). When our instructional assistant was asked if she would go in my place, she excitedly agreed. She even posted her status on facebook as "excited to go on the fourth grade field trip tomorrow!" Isn't it awesome that she is so willing to go? And I know my students will have such a great time and have fun with her.

Can you understand why I love my job? I'm not even talking about the kids... these are just the adults! How many teachers enjoy working with the other adults in their building? How many people, period, enjoy working with the adults in their building? I am very lucky.