Every morning I say "good morning" about 80-100 times. I stand at the top of stairwell 7 and watch as the 7th and 8th grade kids come up the stairs, dragging their book bags and sports bags behind them. Some of them are still wearing ear buds, listening to their iPods. Some of them have hair in their eyes and I can barely see their faces. Many of them are just plodding up the stairs, trying to start their day, when they would much rather be in bed. It is not exactly a friendly audience.Even though they would probably rather be left alone, I say "good morning" to as many of them as possible, using their name first (if I know it), to let them know that someone cares if they are here. Yes, I know we are supposed to be at our post every morning and make sure madness and mayhem doesn't prevail but, by this time of the year, many teachers are still fussing in their classrooms, getting ready for their day and that special feeling of excitement has fizzled.
I am an early riser so I am in my classroom an hour before school begins and, therefore, I am pretty much ready for the day when the kids start coming up the steps. But, to me, that doesn't make any difference. I actually enjoy standing at my morning post and greeting the kids every morning. I get a real charge when one of them actually acknowledges that I (an adult) exist and says "good morning" back. And . . . . when that rare adolescent says those gifted words "good morning, Mrs. Kosh" I am in heaven. I have actually heard a few say "how are you today?" and I was giddy with excitement.
I realized this morning that I am not really doing it for them, although I believe kids should be greeted by a friendly face and a few words in the morning. However, I am doing it for me. It gets me going. I tells me that it's time to do my job. It's a way of validating me when someone responds and (even better) uses my name. As the year goes on, I find the kids loosening up a little and I get many more "good mornings". Each one makes me feel wonderful and energized and keeps me from wanting to go back to bed.
Postscript: I am writing this blog while I am proctoring a test. A student just finished and I needed to write her a pass to go to her next class. I did so and handed her the pass. She said on her way out . . . . "Have a nice day, Mrs. Kosh." That's a two-fer---a greeting and my name! It's going to be a great day.
No comments:
Post a Comment