On to more wholesome topics (a day in the life of a preschool teacher) | Do Try This at Home: On to more wholesome topics (a day in the life of a preschool teacher)

Saturday, April 14, 2007

On to more wholesome topics (a day in the life of a preschool teacher)

I LOVE teaching preschool. I like to say that teaching preschool is the only occupation I know where you can actually get paid to sing and dance all day regardless of whether or not you have any talent.

And, as if umpteen preschoolers weren’t enough to keep one in stitches, I am lucky enough to have a co-teacher who keeps me laughing all day long.

Some days can be tough. 

Take school picture day for instance. We had one child who spent the entire session alternating between trying to remove his shirt and poking the child in front of him in the shoulder. Another kept busy throughout by slapping himself in the face. Meanwhile a girl in the front (when she wasn’t attempting escape from the picture) sat in her pretty pink skirt with her legs as wide open as she could manage. 

And that’s not to mention the everyday hyperactive energy of the other 12 children.


The photographers freely admitted that we got the gold star for most difficult class in the school and asked us at least twice if we drank heavily after class. (As a matter of fact...oh no wait! I already did that post...).

It’s hard to process much of anything while fifteen three and four year olds run every which way but loose through the classroom. 

For example, my co-teacher and I had this conversation just after a teacher we’ll call Amanda left our room, having checked with us on some scheduling changes for that day:

Me – Did I hear you just tell Amanda that we both understood why we weren’t having snack in our classroom today?
Her – Yeah.
I totally don’t get that.
Me – Me neither.
I don’t understand at all.

I find spending more time living on this planet tends to make humans MORE confusing rather than less, as the adults involved in preschool seem to be even more perplexing than the kids.


My co-teacher and I had this conversation about a week ago. Keep in mind that the original story told by the parent was done so in a room full of preschoolers:

Co-teacher – I didn’t understand that story Jimmy’s mom told us at all.
Me – Yeah, I didn’t get that story either.

Her – All I know is she said the word f*ck a lot.
Me – Yeah, that’s what I got from that story too.

The parents can be quite baffling even one on one without any children in the room. 

You know you’re in trouble when a parent spends 20 minutes graphing his concerns about his child, with the X and Y axis flip flopping throughout the conversation and with no discernible reason for a line on the graph whatsoever.

I do love it though. Where else can you do the chicken dance and call it work?!?!



13 comments:

{Lara} said...

Hi Jill, thanks for visiting my blog. I've edited to add the journaling!

Preschool teachers are absolute angels and it's got to be a calling.
blessings
{Lara} in South Africa

Kerry McKibbins said...

I'm an art teacher and I love my job too. No, I haven't done the chicken dance but I have been known to sing and act out scenes from Broadway shows with the kids during class. l love my job too.

Julie Ann Rachelle Interior Design said...

Hi! I answered your question about the Pop Art tutorial on the EDS Blog
http://tinyurl.com/2g4kxa

toners said...

Great post!! I have my hands full dealing with one preschooler - my hat is off to anyone dealing with multiple preschoolers :) I love hearing about teachers who are so passionate about their job.

Lara Neves said...

Welll, I totally applaud you. I especially applaud my dd's preschool teachers...she's one of the "good example" kids in a class that is mostly full of Special needs kids.

I couldn't do it. Not my calling in life. :)

Danisha said...

Oh my goodness. I know, that I wouldn't be able to handle all that. God bless you!!! They are kinda funny though.

Danisha

Colleen said...

Thanks for checking out my blog and, yes, nathan did manage to wriggle out of being strapped in that rocker!

Sounds like you've got a great job! As you said, there's nothing better than getting paid to sing and dance! There are certainly days when I miss teaching, but I love being at home with my boys!

Noelia said...

You definitely have a sense of humor that I'm sure made photo day a lot easier. Love your posts.

Lynn said...

I just love your post! I think that being a pre-school teacher takes courage, skill, patience, determination, and the ability to act funny and laugh a lot. I was a volunteer pre-school teacher for 6 years to 22, 4 year olds and boy they keep you busy.
I have to tell you, that reading your post has had me thinking about going back to it. I truly loved it everyday. Thanks for the inspiration.

It's Not Easy Being Green said...

I think that the parents just might be the harder to handle! At least you can put the kids in time out if needed!

Alyssa said...

Thanks for posting to my blog. Had to visit yours and return the favor! My son is in preschool and I have often thought...what a fun place to work. Three and four year olds are so cute. They say the funniest things. But then when I help out at class parties, I am reminded of the many challenges of keeping all the kids on track during the day. Hats off to you and all you do for your class.

Melissa said...

I've always thought it would be a blast to be a pre-school teacher, but i know the laughs and fun also come with a lot of patience. bless you

Nancywithajones said...

THANKS FOR VISITING MY BLOG GIRLY WHat a fun job but man ID have to drink alot to do it. I was a room mom at My dd 2K class back when I worked for a living and OMG I needed therapy after that. THose poor people. SHe has been at home with me the last year and I have to say... SHE IS GOING TO 4K THIS YEAR!!!!
GOd bless you for being able to do that. Id personally be sitting in a corner babbling some strange language im sure.

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