I'm typing this in my bedroom while my fourth child, a lovely almost four year-old girl, is marching on the bed making up lyrics to a song she's shouting singing. "If you wanna have it you want to have it stay. If you lost it you are really sad." Apparently she lost. . . hold on, I'll ask her. . . she lost her stick. Okay. A song-worthy ballad. And there she goes. She's heading to the bathroom to show she's mastered the task of potty training. But she'll be back to ask me about the faces in 100+ photos she distributed in a two foot radius around me.
This is actually the quiet part of my day because three individuals who love humanity more than money are in the middle of the noisy part of their days. They are educating my two ten year-olds and my seven year-old at our beloved public elementary school.
I volunteer at my kids' public school twice a week. I've taught math and writing to groups of six. I've helped with after school activities. I've tutored a fourth grader. I've created spreadsheets for posters and administered geography quizzes. It's fun and rewarding to pop in and teach. But I'm ready to teach again full time.
I used to be a teacher. I have an elementary education degree. I worked as an elementary school librarian and reading teacher for two years. I didn't make the kind of money folks in other professions make. But I loved my job. I loved the book fairs, I loved teaching vocabulary in my reading groups, I loved recess duty, I loved May Day, I loved finding books for the kids who thump, thumped up the stairs into my aqua blue library. And I loved the acronyms, the curriculum realignment committees, and teacher's meetings. Wait. I need to stop laughing. I could have existed just fine without acronyms, curriculum rewrites and those ~humid~ Wednesday meetings in Tulani's room!
In June 2000, a month before my oldest son was born, I "put in my 40 hours" for the last time. Before the 2000-2001 school year was over, I had two new employers:
How I love them! And I love the two additional employers who joined our company in 2004 and 2007. There's no arguing my job description is more stressful than my old full-time career. I do more cleaning and scolding than I ever did teaching. Elementary school children also don't require diaper changes, thank goodness. And I'm not as well-rested, come to think of it.
I put in more than double my 40 hours a week, but I have loyal employers. This summer marks my 11th year with their company. The perks are fabulous. I listen to their jokes, join in their adventures, and end each night with their hugs and kisses. I was even showered with gifts, jewelry, and hand-written commendations just last week Sunday!
An acquaintance suggested my being home for the past 11 years makes me an undesirable employee and teacher. And while my most financially rewarding gigs in the last 11 years have been as babysitter and secret shopper (remind me to write a secret shopping post!), I think being a mother has prepared me to be an ideal employee and teacher. Parenthood stretches the mind and challenges the intellect. Parenthood changes who you are. If you're reading this blog post, Dr. Chun, my "Teaching P.E." professor, listen to this: I took what little athletic prowess you saw in me and voluntarily coached my child's soccer team--and they won two games (a "soccer coach" post is in the works!). Parenthood exposes us to previously unattainable levels of selflessness. Who doesn't want an employee like that?
Now, would you like my employer's letter of recommendation in crayon or playdoh?
A dragon-wearing babysitting charge with my lovely fourth child.
