A New School Year

Wednesday marked the first day of a new school year for me. I must say that the time in between years seemed a little short. However, I knew I was truly at home when my desk was filled with flowers, kleenex and hand sanitizer and normal conversation was talk about the school's beef fingers and the new turkey gravy over potatoes. There are many perks to teaching that very few people are aware of. Let me share with you the best of them. First of all, I get to hear daily reports about pet goats named Bambi. I get to help name turtles and ducks things like Chocolate and Quacker. I also get the honor of holding the beloved pets of children to share with the class, as they squirm and I squirm. It's always nice to have someone who watches the same shows as me. There are no wierd looks when I mention the name Raven, American Idol, or the latest Disney movie. If fact I am seen as quite hip and with it. I also have no need to read movie reviews. I get the very latest, most accurate reports from my students. Phrases like, " I cried it was so good or sad." are often heard and even admitted by boys. Another perk is definitely the food, not the cafeteria's food, I think you can already see from the comments above that I no longer frenquent there. However, I get delicious morsels of food regularly. Homemade treats, fruit snacks, even sack lunches have been known to appear on my desk. A true blessing. Of course anyone who has seen kids now days knows that fashion has seeped into the elementary school. Fashion advice, the latest trends, I need look no further then the recess field. I also have no problems when it comes to decorating, because I have every kind of picture know to man. Many fabulous caricatures of myself, pictures of ducks, dogs, Bambi the goat. You name it, I've got it. Lastly, the best perk of all is the smiles. No need for expensive self improvement books and seminars, these kids remind me daily what is really important. I must admit that like any teacher I would love a raise, but as long as I get to keep my perks, I'll be just fine.