Pink Is My Favorite Color

It has been brought to my attention that I haven’t written recently and specifically that I haven’t shared any of my teaching stories. What can I say- something different happens every day when you work with 5yr olds. I get to see the good, the bad, and most certainly- the ugly.

I now know what it looks like for a 5 year old to not be constipated after 3 days. And, in the same experience I have learn that “Ms. Stephanie is good at wiping butts.” I also know what vomit looks like when spewed all over a gym floor. Consequently, I know how to handle a small scale evacuation of a gymnasium after a ‘natural disaster.’ I know what 4 year old little teeth feel like when they chomp down on my forearm, hand, and fingers. I know what it feels like to get ‘bitch-slapped’ across the face by a 4 year old. What else? I’ve started to get really frustrated hearing “Ms. Stephanie” 25x within 30 seconds- and I finally told my kids I don’t know who that is. Now, sometimes, I’m Ms. Emily. Somehow having 2 names relieves that stress, makes them laugh, and reminds me of the real Ms. Emily whom I greatly miss. It’s a win – win. (creative solutions at work) I know that 5 year old boys think that “pee-pee” is hilarious to say, that farts are funny, and that girls have cooties.

One of the greatest lessons I’m learning is about GERMS. It’s true- they spread. While my kids leave me at the end of the day, they so generously give me a parting gift. All the boogers, snot, spit, and funk that I am exposed to every day so conveniently takes up residence in my system. Last weekend I was in bed with the flu- the nasty kind. I will say no more. And this weekend’s ailment of choice: Pink Eye. It’s super attractive. My left eye is crimson red and was swollen shut for the greater part of Saturday. And this morning, for a brief moment, I learned what it must feel like to wake up blind. The infection has spread to my right eye- and both were funked shut. It’s gross. At the current moment, I have full vision. I just happen to look like I’ve been smoking pot all morning. It’s no fun. And because it’s highly contagious, I’ve been shunned from interactions with the outside world. I did go to church this morning. My cousins had called and asked me to take them- and because I cancelled last week, I couldn’t disappoint them again. My original plan was to sit in my car and read a book- but then I decided to go to service, sit completely alone, and touch nothing. I also kept anti-bacteria spray in my pocket and used it frequently. I think I was responsible. But, this afternoon while my parents go to the Kenosha Expo, and while everyone from Great Lakes Church gets together for our first ‘connect event,’ I’m stuck back inside. Alone. Annoyed.

My time in the classroom has taught me that my days will not always be filled with sunshine and rainbows. But I’ve also learned that kids LOVE their teachers, that they think the world of me, and I have an obligation to be my very best for them every day. I know what it’s like to believe in a child who has some issues- to see him begin to thrive in his environment, to come out of his shell, and to allow affection to be received and even given. I know that if I simply curl my hair, when I walk into the room someone will say “Ms. Stephanie, you look beautiful today!” I get secret satisfaction when kids cry when their parents show up at the end of the day because they aren’t ready to go home. I’ve observed that who you become in life is most definitely shaped during your early years- and I get to be a positive part of that for these kids.

The struggles are great and constant, but the reward is far greater. The frustration is absolutely worth it.
And I’m just lucky that pink is my favorite color.