I am so excited and grateful to be back at the school I’ve worked at for the past year and a half. The job market is tough out there, and when it became pretty clear that I wasn’t going to find a job in my field within the next few months, I messaged my former boss to see if they had hired a new after care director yet. Not only was that position still available, but they also had a preschool aide position. Two weeks ago I went back to work, and last Thursday the kiddos came back to school.
It was an interesting start to the year. We rent our building from the city. Having outgrown the building and mobile units we have, the administration began work to have new mobile units put in. Well, school started last week; the old mobile units are gone, and we’re still waiting for the new ones. This means we’re missing four classrooms. While it’s been difficult for everyone (especially the teachers without classrooms!), everyone has had good attitudes about it and are smiling on the outside to help get the year off to the right start with the kids.
The kids came back on Thursday. I was amazed how nervous I was. I was mostly nervous about my schedule, I think. I have a split shift three days a week (Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays). I’m in at 7:45 a.m. with the rest of the teachers and work with the four-year-old preschool class until 12:30 p.m. Then I have a two and a half hour break before I come back to run after care from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It turns out to be a pretty long day—especially considering I leave the house at 6:30 a.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, though, I only run after care, so those days will be a little easier.
I was nervous, but the kids quickly eased those nerves. We made it through the first day with no tears! Not even the three-year-olds cried during drop-off. They were all excited to get started and hang out with their new friends. They are a sweet bunch of kids.
So, I’m excited about the new year. I’m also thrilled for more kidisms to experience and record. The first two days were no exception. Here’s a few to get you through your Tuesday that feels like a Monday.
On Thursday after lunch, both preschool classes were playing in the four-year-old room. A couple of kids were playing with something that had a television character on it. I didn’t see what it is…only overheard the conversation. As they were playing, one of the three-year-old girls said, “I used to watch this when I was a kid.” Is it just me, or are they growing up too quickly these days?!
On Friday both preschool classes made thumbprint cookies. I left before the kiddos ate them—they were going to have them after rest time. One of the three-year-old girls, E, is in after care each day. Her dad picked her up at the same time as another mom and daughter, V, came to get one of my kindergarteners. I thought they’d left, but the dad came back in and said that E was saying something about a cookie for her and her mom. I explained that the preschoolers had made thumbprint cookies that morning, and I asked E if she’d gotten to eat hers. She said, “No. I get to take them home for me and mommy.”
So, we went to search and search for the thumbprint cookies. I checked both classrooms. I checked the teacher’s lounge. We found no cookies. So, I got down on E’s level, and so did her dad. She climbed on his knee, and I said, “E, I tell you what. Some day next week I’m going to bring in a very special treat for you and mommy, ok?”
“Ok, Miss Val.”
Then I remembered that I had two chocolate chip cookies in my bag that I had made two days earlier. I had brought them for a snack that day, but hadn’t eaten them. So, I said, “E, you know what? Do you like chocolate chip cookies?”
I got a nod.
“Does mommy like chocolate chip cookies?”
I got another nod.
“Well, you know what? I have two chocolate chip cookies in my bag, and they are for you and mommy! How’s that? I know it’s not the cookies you made, but they’re yummy cookies. Would that be ok?”
I got another nod. So, off to my bag I went to get the cookies. I took them to E, and I got a great big hug. Off she and her daddy went to collect her things and go home. I went back into the teacher’s lounge to finish up with my last little one and her sister, who was eating a cupcake. V (now a third-grader) said, “Miss Val, you’re just like Mary Poppins! You can pull anything out of your bag!”
That may very well be the best compliment I’ve ever received. It’s kept me smiling all weekend. And tomorrow? It’s back to the grind—finger painting, playing games, singing the days-of-the-week song, telling stories, and playing on the playground. I hope you have a good Tuesday too!
Recently:
- Cutting Valerie to Val
- Vivacious Valerie: When Things Come Full Circle
- Ladybug Girl Grows Up
- When Life Gets in the Way…
- Last Class, Take Two: I’m Already Being Challenged
- First Days…
- Life Imitates Life: It Must Be Friday
- Winters’ Snow
- Creative vs. Artist
- Energy
