Savoring Silence.

What can I say? I'm an unusual teacher. When the much anticipated TAKS test finally rolls around, most teachers are losing sleep worrying over their kids' scores. Especially at my school. Our school is TAKS-driven like no other! I guess I should be more concerned. I am concerned about their education, but I'm not going to fret over it. Honestly, there are some real perks to being a teacher (as Michael Stone mentioned awhile back). My room is completely quiet this morning. I almost don't want to work (and I will work here in a minute, this was just a quick break) but just sit and bask in the beauty of the moment. I have 25 kids (and a new set of 25 more in the afternoons).. they click their pens constantly, drum in their desks, lie, hit, fight, cry, cuss, flirt, fidget, talk back. You get your doctrine of depravity squared away teaching 5th graders. I do love them, don't get me wrong. They also laugh, learn, change, hug, etc. And yet... TAKS day rolls around, and I look around and don't hear anything, but a few squirmers, loud chewers (inside joke), coughers, etc. I can handle some of that. I love this! Furthermore, I get a chance to BLOG, grade papers, return e-mails (work and personal), plan lessons, etc. And... eat all of the leftover fruit snacks and mini muffins (and there are still some Robin Eggs in my desk). During lunch, we have it in our room and I get to lead class "discussions". It has been a blast the other 2 tests. They aren't allowed to talk about the TAKS, so we get to guide controlled discussions. I'm a big goober, so I try to have interesting conversation starters and it's usually a blast. A controlled blast. Anyway, 4 weeks and 1 and a half more days.. but who is counting? I guess when all of the teachers come find me and we talk later and they let out a sigh of relief that they dreaded TAKS is over and as they wait impatiently for the scores to come in... trying to find out if our school will be Exemplary or whatnot.. which kids passed... I'll sigh, too. Not because I'm the best teacher in the world and care so much about the scores, but I'll sigh because tomorrow, we have to go back to chaos. However, I'm trying to teach these kiddos to respect. They are learning slowly.

Random list for your day...
Alias was great! Marshall wins the Grammy for the evening...
Jay G. Scott got a new bike.
Our power went out last night... but no flood - yea!
Dad's home and doing great...
The string of weddings is about to begin...
The Campers are coming (but not yet)
and Robert's raising his hand...
Gotta go.
Miss Moore out.

Eron - good posts!