Top 10.

The last week has probably been one of the most stressful, emotional, and anxiety producing in my career so far. And it is just the beginning of a long couple of months.

*Background - I am a special education teacher. I teach a K-5 lower functioning autism class at an absolutely amazing school in Atlanta. This is my second year as an autism teacher... and with a year of unheard of firsts behind me, this year is proving to be just as challenging, but in completely different ways.*

So in an effort to boost my morale and remind myself of why I love my job... Here are the top 10 reasons for why...

1. Everyday is different. While our class schedule is pretty much the same Monday through Friday... the ongoings of my class are never the same. There are days when everyone cooperates; there are days when NO ONE cooperates. I never know what to expect from my kiddos prior to them walking in the doors, which keeps life more than interesting.

2. Everyday is a challenge. Not a moment goes by where I am not being challenged professionally, emotionally, and spiritually. I am constantly evaluating the best and most appropriate teaching theory/method/strategy/intervention for four distinctively different children. And on to reasons #3 and #4...

3. Everyday is a challenge... emotionally. My students have truly become a part of my life. I find joy in their accomplishments and progress. And have not yet figured out how to separate myself from the daily obstacles and struggles that these children and their families face on a daily basis. Which is not totally a bad thing - I feel that being connected to my work leads to further passion for my work. Elementary school can be extremely difficult as children are learning acceptance and understanding - these are two things that I fight for on a daily basis. 

4. Everyday is a challenge... spiritually. God doesn't give you characteristics, like patience, acceptance, perseverance; instead, He places you in situations and environments that force you to exercise the desired trait. In my life, God has most definitely placed me in an environment that teaches me patience, acceptance and perseverance on a daily basis. 

5. It's the little things. Finding joy in the simplest of things... like when one of my students makes eye contact with me and it is obvious he/she is letting someone else into their world for a split second; when I hear "Good morning Ms. Hamilton" from one of my students after practicing this phrase for 8 months; when I can sing Miley Cyrus "Party in the USA" with one of my students during recess; when I get a thank you from a difficult parent; when I get to witness bonds being formed. Life is full of little moments... my classroom is no exception.

6. Laughter is the best medicine. There are days that my kiddos are just hysterical. Taking a moment to laugh and live in that moment is priceless. (I am sure stories will make appearances in later posts.)

7. I love my school. I have been more than blessed to be teaching at the school that I do. We have two autism classes at my school (higher and lower functioning) that began last August. Prior to these classes, children with special needs have not really been prominent at this school. Now, faculty, staff, and the students are learning to accept those that might be a little different than they are. I love my school because of the support and acceptance that has been shown to my kids. 

8. Teacher friends. Summer vacation buddies. Phone calls at 3:00 pm. Venting sessions that involve "teacher language." Being a teacher means having teacher friends, which means having people in my life who understand the struggles and excitements that I experience in my classroom.

9. Summer vacation. Let's be honest, one of the best parts of being a teacher is having 2 months of summer vacation (and Spring Break, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, and the other mini breaks in between.) Hate to brag, but it never gets old. :)

10. Smiling faces. The final reason I love my job is the children that I have the privilege of working with 5 days out of the week. I only hope that I can make a fraction of the impact on their lives as they have had on mine.