Wandering Educator

I was watching a terrific new show called "Miss Guided". It comes on ABC. I caught a preview for it and I knew it was a show for me. It is a guidance counselor and the crazy mishaps that go on in her school with teachers and students. If you are an educator you will definitely enjoy it. There was a character on the show played by Ashton Kutcher. He is this awe-inspiring substitute teacher who doesn't like the word sub, but prefers to be called a wandering educator. I gave a good chuckle to that one. So for now on I would like to be referred to as a wandering educator. It sounds more glamorous. Plus I would like to believe that I am more than just a substitute. Substitute just doesn't suit me. Now wandering educator is a title I can wear proudly.

Today I got the chance to wander into a kindergarten class and educate. I was back to my "home" school. The place where I feel most comfortable and well at home. I would rename this school Cheers Elementary because there everyone knows my name and is glad I came. Oh that gets me every time. It was a pretty good day. We started off strong and on task. It seemed the more the day drug on the more antsy the kids became. I had to find a way to get them to listen and stay on task. I turned to the one thing I do best, drawing. I made cute little awards for different things and told the students I would be looking for these actions. I did not expect it to work as well as it did. Immediately I saw a difference. I had a "Best Mallow" award. I explained to the kids that when we are in the hall that I would be looking for the student who held the biggest marshmallow in their mouth, of course the marshmallow was imaginary. It kept the kids quiet and focused in the hall. Worked like a charm. It was funny to see a class of kindergartners walking down the hall with puffy cheeks. It was a recipe for instant goofy smile. I love these days.