True Confessions of a Teacher

Chapter 2

2:15. At last everyone was seated around the low kitchen table although I made sure to put Josiah up in the high chair to prevent him from biting someone again.  He's been teething very badly for over a week and I didn't want him to bite another kid on my watch.

The kids were all smiling showing off their eight baby teeth as they munched on an assortment of crackers for their afternoon snacks.  It was fun watching their eyes sparkle every time I'd add more pieces on their plate. Simple joy is priceless.

Sadie was the most amusing one because she'd laugh and giggle every single time I'd pour a bunch of crackers on hers. She even surprised me one time with her own version of happy dance.  Her spontaneity was beyond me. She would clutch her hands to her chest, and take a spin while shaking her head sideways. I swear, it was pretty amusing!

Kids never fail to surprise me! I was absolutely dying in laughter when Sadie did her happy dance.  All babies are precious.  They are such cuties and quite a bunch of joy! I would be forever thankful for the privilege to journey with these little ones. Their parents had no clue how much they were missing. 

My life seemed to move in slow motion for a few minutes. I felt as if I had no cares in the world.  No worries nor anxieties.  All I had was pure innocence and joy. It's when moments like these that my job becomes worth envying and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's fun to be a teacher!

"Hi Ms. M," Jenny called out through the sliding glass window that separated the classroom kitchen from the hallway. Her dirty blond hair fell over her shoulders and her white flowery top showed her well tanned skin.

"Oh, hi!" I jolted out from my train of thoughts, clearing my throat.

"Are you getting ready to bring the kids out?" she flashed a wide smile, her eyes seemed to sweep across the room. "It's beautiful outside!"

"I will," I smiled back.  "As soon as they're done eating."

"Okay, good!"

After the kids had eaten, I cleaned up the kitchen and stacked the faded blue colored chairs at the corner so the kids wouldn't be tempted to climb. I gave Josiah his favorite book and ordered him to sit on the floor next to the changing table so I could keep him close by. 

He's typically cranky and hard to keep still so I felt lucky he was in an unusual good mood.  However, I still had to hurry up in changing their diapers one after another. You just wouldn't know when someone starts to throw a fit.

I was a natural in taking care of babies! I had personally taken care of several babies in my huge family back when I was way younger.  With a quick motion, I applied sunscreen on their little arms and legs.  This entire process could take forever because I also had to put on them their bathing suits so they could have fun playing with the sprinkler.

But no matter how crazy and loud the classroom was, I would always take the time to give each one a loving hug before putting them down.  I wanted my kids to know that I was there not just for the job, but because I care about them. Other than Josiah, those that I got done working on had been running around the classroom and spreading toys all over the floor. 

Glancing at Josiah every now and then, I got down on my knees to start picking up the room. I noticed my hands were getting super dry because of the frequent washing. Oh, my nails looked horrible. Still, while putting some of the stuff back to their proper bins, I looked around to double-check if I had changed everyone. And with a stern voice I said, "Everybody help pick up the toys! We aren't going out until the classroom is back in order."

The girls stopped running around and assisted me in picking up the toys.  "What good helpers!" I praised them and gave extra hugs.

"Time to go outside guys!" I loudly announced and started calling out their names.  I picked up Olivia, the tiniest one in the class, and carefully put her down next to me. I wiped the sweat from my brow and grabbed my equally sweaty wet bottle as I called their names again, sipping my ice-cold water in between.  Aaaahh! I sure needed that.

Then I collected their summer hats from the hanging organizer and put on them one by one as they lined up near the door. "I wish I had more than two hands! " I mumbled to myself.

I am getting old.  I tried to stretch as I straightened my body back up.  "Is everyone ready???" I made a huge effort to smile despite my tiredness.  They all snickered in excitement, their tiny feet ready to hop and dance. "Remember?" I started to say out loud the rules in my most serious face.  "We are walking quietly, and we are lining up at the red wall."

They bobbed their heads in agreement and gave me their cutest smiles, their anticipation. So I held Josiah's hand securely and through the narrow hallways steered my babies towards the door where more playtime and sunshine awaits.