Day Two: Maddie Bamer Has a New Name!

Today would definitely have to be one of my favorite days that I have had in a long time. Although thoroughly exhausted, nothing can beat the pure happiness I displayed after meeting all of my kindergarteners today. It's almost bed time and I am still on cloud nine!

Aside from the mounds of schoolwork I need to do before the weekend, there is so much work to be done at school. After speaking with my teacher after school and observing what we did in just one day, I am certain that this is just the beginning of the hard work that has to happen between now and June. At this point, its quite intimidating.

One aspect of today that I really was able to enjoy was getting used to my new name: Miss. Bamer. As morning meeting took place, the teacher told the students that there were special helpers in our classroom throughout the year. She introduced the para first, and then when she came to me, I was expecting the usual "Miss. Maddie." Instead, I heard the name "Miss. Bamer," come out of her mouth. At first, I was confused, and then I realized that she was introducing me to the class.

It was quite a shock, and frankly even after eight hours with the kids and having them call me Miss. Bamer, I am still not used to it. I guess this is what getting married is like, or having your name changed. My name went from Miss. Maddie to Miss. Bamer in just one day. I don't know wether to be excited or depressed. Whatever I feel, the name is still quite a change.

Hopefully I can get used to it soon so that I can start really diving in and focusing on the kids instead of being taken aback when a child calls me Miss. B or Miss. Bamer.

After today, I am even more in love with this profession. It's not everyday that kids sneeze and snot goes all over your arm, or that kids ask you one million questions you don't know the answer to, or they make you laugh harder than you ever thought was possible.

It's not everyday that you leave your job with a smile plastered on your face until the next morning.

Until Tomorrow,


Madalyn

Day One

Good Evening Friends!

I woke up this morning around 5 o'clock in the morning ready to go to my first day of kindergarten. The normal routine was in place.... I walked up the stairs to the shower (The better shower is on the second floor.) While I did that, I most likely woke up my two roomies (Emma and my mom.) If walking up the stairs didn't wake them up, either the bathroom light and fan or the sound of water pouring out of the shower head did.

A few hours after I woke up, showered, and got dressed for the first day, it was time to head to school. When I arrived to my room, I was blown away! Not only were most of the boxes gone, but the classroom finally looked like it was homey enough for children to learn and grow in. I was amazed at the transformation that had taken place in just a few short hours. But little did I know that this was just one of many things I would see to thing that amazed me.

When the students came in to the other classroom, my teacher and I went into the other classroom and read a story to the kids while the other teacher went into our room to talk to her parents. My teacher instantly caught the attention of all of the students. It was amazing how much respect she received from these children in such a small amount of time. While reading the story, she was able to keep the students engaged with the story the whole time. Not once did I see a child unfocused or bored. This was simply incredible. 

If I could even obtain just the slightest bit of knowledge from this woman, I know that I would be completely ready to teach on my own next year. It's not everyday that people have this opportunity and it's not every day that people get to shape and teach children everyday. It's also not everyday that one person can take complete control of group of people and have them truly interested in what is going on. 

That is my goal: To be able to truly interest a group of children, and to shape and teach children every day that I can.


Madalyn