This is the reason

If you have read any of the posts on here, you know that I love my job and you know that the world of education is on rocky soil right now. The Texas Legislature is in the middle of determining the budget cuts that will affect every Texas teacher and more importantly every Texas student. You are smart readers, I don't need to point out the various ways that budget cuts affect your kids.

So, why do I keep doing what I do? Because I love my students. I love spending the day in the classroom and talking history and current events and weaving them together. This week happens to be Teacher Appreciation Week. It comes and goes quietly each year, without fanfare and usually without a lot of appreciation from the students. This year was different. Monday morning every teacher at our campus walked into their rooms with a poster filled with "thank you" and "love you" and "you rock" notes written by our students.

I cherished every moment reading these notes from my kids. I will keep this poster up in my classroom as a reminder that even if I am making a lot less money next year, I do it for the kids.

The above picture is one of my favorites. I don't know if you can read it, but the note that says "your class is easy and you're nice" and is signed with a nickname that I bestowed upon the student. When they refer to themselves by the name you have created for them, you know that you matter. Now, turn your head sideways and look at the pink note written upside down. Apparently, my fashion sense has made just as big an impression as my teaching because this commends me on my "cloths" and shoes. These ladies are future fashionistas! Love them.

I am thankful for my job. I love my students. And a great big THANK YOU to the teacher that helped their students make this the best Teacher Appreciation Week!

(Sorry for the wanky pictures... I have no idea how to format pics on this blog...)