It is good to be the oldest sibling…

This evening my son I were talking and the story of my youngest sister pooped in the bathtub with all three of us girls were in it.  He asked, “Why do all of the embarrassing stories happen to Aunt Krisie?”

Well, I had never really thought about it like that, but it is the beauty of being the oldest.  When I was doing embarrassing things, my siblings had not yet been born or too young to know any better.  Unfortunately for Krisie, I remember a lot from our childhood.  Oh, the benefits of being the oldest…

“Mind candy”

In Donalyn Miller’s book, The Book Whisperer, she refers to books that take little mental strain to read as “mind candy.”  Some days I look up and see a third grader, with a fifth grade reading level, reading Dr. Seuss and wonder if I should go over and have a discussion about “Just Right” books.   Then I watch as he finishes and moves on to a complex text about Earth’s layers. 

I have to remember that sometimes “mind candy” is perfectly appropriate.  After all, didn’t I spend days reading Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series last summer?  Although candy isn’t good for us all the time, it doesn’t hurt once in a while.  And it is definitely enjoyable!

My sister, My grandma (Ma), Me

My grandma, Ma, is my hero. She is probably the best person I know or will ever know. I depend on her and she never lets me down. She has supported me through childhood, pregnancy at age eighteen, college and motherhood, teaching, and everything else that life throws my way.

Her patience is seemingly endless. Her house is always spotless. And, as my son says, “Ma cooks everything better.” When making a decision about anything I think: What would Ma do?

It’s better with two teachers.

I am a co-teacher and I wouldn’t want it any other way. It can be a challenge for teachers who don’t see eye to eye, but I got lucky!  My co-teacher is amazing! And we agree on most things and the kids benefit because of it.
She was absent one day and the next I went to pick up the kids in the morning while she stayed in the room.  One boy asked if she was here.  When I replied that she was, he said  “Good, it is better with two teachers.”
Maybe I could have taken it as I wasn’t good enough, but I know that isn’t what he ment.  I agree, it is better with two teachers.  I could teach alone and get results, however together we can do even more. Students receive more attention, two teachers are pulling small groups, more needs are being met- socially and academically.
After today’s field trip without my other half, I know I can do it alone. (I came back with the same number of kids as I left with! SUCCESS! !) But I don’t want to because that student is right – IT IS BETTER WITH TWO TEACHERS!