But I Smile Anyway…

Seriously, this may be what some children are going home and painting my picture as! (Or parents!

The things we have to do…

I haven’t updated you much on my daily life, well, because I haven’t really had much time!

But it’s been a true challenge!

One session of children are darlings and are settling down, still a couple of criers initially, but they have settled pretty well.

The other… Oh My God!  What with possible Special Needs, and huge behavioural issues, it has been really tough.  There have been insolent children, no manners appear to have been taught. There are spoilt children who think nothing of shouting “No!” in your face when things don’t go their way. There are clingy children, who are so insecure, and these other ones really frighten them… and many more….

But back to my post title… Yes, I have since reported my faults to the Head teacher, and she said she will duly note it on my records!

So the other day I had to physically take a large toy away from a child as he was about to use it to hit another child across the face…(because he wasn’t getting his own way). well, I went off on my way, and later I saw said child on the climbing frame, looking forlorn. I asked him what the matter was, and he pointed my way, with a rather angry look across his face, you know, eyebrows down, brow furrowed, lips pursed. I looked behind me, he surely wasn’t pointing at me… there was no one else, so I went closer and he said “You hit me.” Really??!!! I was flabbergasted, but I couldn’t show it.  I asked him when. He just repeated it! Then I explained that I hadn’t hit him, I had taken something from him, as he was about to hurt another child…then he just flipped emotions, ran down the slide, hugged me and kissed me on the cheek!

I did bring it up with his dad, but he just laughed and said, “Oh, he’s always saying things like that, we know he does it for attention, or to detract from his own naughtiness!” Thank goodness! Well, that’s the child beating element sorted!

I have a huge mix of nationalities in my class as you know, and with the sweet things in my crazy session, I have had to have chats with several parents, just to get them on side, and explain that we need to work like a tag team, between home and nursery, to send the same message to the children, with regards to behaviour, and respect.  It will all take time but you know, it’s good to know the parents understand.

Well one has become very concerned about her precious little bundle… only child you know… and he is one that can be a little pickle (actually quite a big one!). But when I report back to her every end of session, when she asks, I have to say the truth, that he is ok for a while, then he starts the hitting, squealing, pushing and shoving, and defiance. So the other day she said to me that the other mums of her community said that I don’t; say anything to the other nationality parents, just theirs… I must have something against them!

HELLO!!!! I am also from a minority community lol!!!! But also a possible racist!

Then in the next breath, she said that actually they are quite uneducated (unlike her of course) and that she knew we were just trying the best for her son.  That said, the next day, he didn’t come.. I thought I had offended her!

But the ‘dear boy’ was back today… in full form.  Today he was lovely, until he started fighting with a child over a toy, and I removed them from strangle holds, restored peace, then he went to hit and kick again!  So the toy was confiscated. Boy, if looks could kill….!

He then proceeded to fill his mouth with spit, and tried to launch a missile at me… but it all failed, and nothing came out, thank God! Then he tried to flip the bird at me! except he very defiantly stuck his index finger up at me, not the middle one! It took a lot to stop me from laughing at this point!

Then the best bit… When it was home time, I called his name, and he wouldn’t come.  I didn’t chat to his mum today, as I frankly didn’t have the energy!  But he ran to the other end of the classroom, and I had to catch him!  Mum took him, hugged him, whispered endearments to him, and said to me, ” He was scared… he thought you were going to do something to him!” Wow! This child beating rep of mine is spreading!

Phew! Yes, still a colourful time I am having! One of the teachers I work with further up in the school walked past our playground and mouthed to me “Are you ok? Is everything going ok??” I said “Well I’m still here!” And she commented “And you’re still smiling!!”

See! That is me!!!

But, on a serious note, it is quite scary to think what one child might go home and say to his or her parents, could have a profoundly negative effect on a teacher’s career, especially if the parents are likely to believe a child, before finding out everything!. I know that there are unfortunately times where a child is telling the truth, and there is a real issue with a member of the teaching profession, but there are also countless times where an innocent teacher becomes a target, and loses their professional credibility due to a child’s fickle words. Here is where I thank goodness I am with my union! Hopefully my newly acquired negative reputation will be nipped in the bud… but just in case, I am covered!

And in other news… Lil Man was chosen as his class councillor by a landslide of votes! he is so proud of himself! and I forgot my car needed a service and MOT! Eek!

So an emergency appointment was set up by Hubby Dearest, and the lovely Bebe, my car, passed, thankfully!

And I am off to London for a course tomorrow with my Tag Team teacher colleague. A day away from the crazy class! YAY!!!! But I feel for the supply teacher and our support staff! Oh I wish them well, I really do!

Right… night night my dearest Peeps! Thanks for sticking by me on my new teacher journey!!!!! I need to crash!