Field Day

My first Field Day experience was a notable one, one I will never forget.

We had the kids rotate as full classes to five different stations. The first station was the Water Fun station. At this station, my kids got soaked head to toe. They played games like "pass the sponge over your head and get wet" relay, "walk to the bucket with a smaller bucket with holes in it and water dripping on your head" relay, and this really funny one where one student was sitting on a chair with a 2 Liter coke bottle, and the other filled up a cup with water, then ran to the student to pour the water into the tiny opening in the 2 Liter bottle. It was utterly hilarious. Not to mention, my kids thought it would be SUPER funny to splash water all over me and my shorts. However, the kicker part was that I seriously wanted to play too. I wanted to get drenched head to toe and kind of kicked into Camp Counselor mode, making my students cheer for one another every single time and jumping up and down. I had to remind myself several times today that it just wasn't professional to get soaked as the teacher.

The second station was the sack race and 3 legged race. I wish I had captured these moments on camera. Students were falling and flying EVERYwhere. There was one bigger student who was literally dragging another girl student across the field in the 3 legged race. And, of course, Kiwi insisted on doing the sack race backwards. He jumped, in the sack, backwards all the way very slowly and carefully. It was probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

The third station was a relay station with a huge rubber ball that the kids had to roll across the field, around a cone, and then back to the line for the next person. Trouble with this was that the ball was taller than some of my smaller students. I was out of breath running and puffing with my kids, trying to not let them go too far off the path to where they were in a different station they had gone so far off, and worked up a good sweat. Kiwi actually rolled over the huge ball and fell on his back. I stifled laughter but he was content and ok.

Our fourth station was a relay with hurdles and a baton. It was so cute to see my kids run hard, jump and clear (or, sometimes, not clear) hurdles, and work together as a team. I think that our class had the best cheerleaders by far, which, funny to say, was mostly the boys that kept cheering everyone's name the whole time. It was a really proud moment to see all of them pull together and root for one another like that. Nobody got angry at each other, nobody blamed anyone for anything. It was such a sweet time.

Last but not least was the TUG-O-WAR. This was so classic, in that one of the first grade classes has a really tall, bigger student who probably could single handedly beat any full class. It was hilarious to watch him just simply pull on the end and walk backwards and defeat any team. At the end, though, we had a boys vs. girls Tug-O-War where my girls faced my boys on the rope. The girls, proud to say, WON! It was one of the biggest celebrations of the day, but the fun part was when the parent volunteers and teachers played each other. My side won, naturally. I have some pretty stinkin' awesome and stellar parents who got their hands dirty on the rope and led us to victory.

My competitiveness came out today, but it was so, so cool how God helped me to rein it in. I was afraid that it would come out and I would get into my super-hyper-competitive mode, but for me, today went really well. It was nothing like my Mission Impossible experiences at Sky Ranch where I made it all about winning, me, and not the kids having fun. Because regardless of who won today or how well we did, my kids and I had a great 2nd-to-last day of school together. Field day was a blast; my kids almost knocked me over by dog piling around me in a huge group hug; I was able to run, jump, and help my kids; I bathed each of them with sunscreen this morning before going outside; it was a really interesting experience. I just kind of got a glimpse of how God must feel, so proud of his children in anything they do and just wanting them to enjoy life and what they are given. Not to mention, in that I also wanted the best for them, to take care of them and spend 20 minutes putting on the sunscreen I had actually brought for myself on all of their sweet little faces, arms, and legs. I have been blessed beyond belief this year, and I can't believe it's over tomorrow.

This week has been a really confirming and sweet one. I have outstanding supportive parents who have encouraged me all week with gifts, cards, and their presence in my classroom and events. I have 21 super, spectacular first graders who after tomorrow will be 2nd graders. I hope that I have prepared them well, but most of all when I look back at the past year, I keep asking the question: Did I love them well, and did I teach them how to love well too? I have realized that it is the character that counts in a person. You won't hire the smartest person or most talented person at something if their character is poor, if they are disagreeable or unkind. You're going to trust and hire or befriend the person with upstanding character and kindness and love. That's what I hope my kids gained this year-- an inside look at what that looks like and is supposed to be. It was so crazy writing in all of their yearbooks yesterday, taking careful time to write personal messages to each one. But I want them to be able to look back at that one day, maybe when they are feeling unloved, or like they have failed at everything, or that they won't amount to anything in life, and know that I love them. I think they are superstars. And that I believe in them, all of them, in all that they do and will ever be. I want them to know that there is at least one person out there who feels that way about them, and maybe it will make a difference. But most of all, more than anything, I pray that God sheds his sweet grace on all of them. I know that some of them will know Him, and some of them won't, but I pray for each of them that they will one day experience the sweet love of Jesus. I know that is a bold statement and maybe not one to make publicly, but it is true. Because even if they forget about me, they will still have someone who is their #1 fan, their #1 confidant, their #1 companion who loves them and believes in them more than anyone on earth possibly could. Yeah, that is my prayer for them.

So I think, before I start weeping here, that I will end with this. God, thank you for blessing me immensely with the past year of my life. It has made me more selfless, made me more into the likeness of you and into your image, it has shown me unselfish and unconditional love, and it has made me into a better person. I love these children so much, and thank you for sharing them with me.

Maybe I'll have more to say in reflection after the year truly ends, but this are the last words I really have. Tune in for my adventures sharing the gospel in Russia this summer for five weeks. Who knows what he'll do next?

Numbers to Know

Number of Easter Eggs I dyed two Fridays ago: 21.

Number of TCU watercolor paintings made for me last Friday: 5.

Number of TCU paraphenelia I received for my birthday: 4. A TCU license plate cover, a TCU insulated cup, a TCU door mat, and a TCU scentsy candle.

Number of 3D shapes used to build and identify with on Thursday: 300.

Number of days we have been in school: 162.

Number of days left until school is out: 10.

Number of times I am hugged per day: probably 50.

Number of times I feel like I should write or record the Kiwi Eyeball Chronicles: probably 7 times per day. Nothing he does or says should go unwritten. I wish I could stop and record everything he does for you all, but I know I just won't even begin to capture it all.

Number of times I have redone my classroom layout this year alone: 12.

Number of chalk drawings in my honor this year: 100+.

Number of caterpillars turned butterflies: 4.

Number of squares to fill a hundreds board in under 4 minutes: 100!

Number of papers I need to grade and organize this weekend: too many.

Number of cadets in my Second Grade Boot Camp: 21. They all have the chance to move up to general, officer, and commanders by the number of good choices they make.
Number of ranked Officers: 21.
Number of ranked generals: 4.
Number of ranked Commanders: 1.

Number of times I might lose my cool every now and then because one student just WON'T sit down, or one WON'T stop coming up to me instead of raising their hand: eh...maybe every now and then. ;)

Number of times I smile each day because of how great my kids are: countless.

30 Days and Counting

Today began like any other school day. My students got started on their morning work, I checked planners and folders for notes from parents, we sang our "Welcome to School" song and merrily did the dance moves right to it. But when the song was done, I looked at my friends and said, as always, "Good morning, first grade." They always reply with, "Good morning, Miss Leiss." At this point I tell my kids, "Let's make today a GREAT day." But today, I said this: "Guess what, first grade?" "What, Miss Leiss?" "I didn't know if you knew this or not. But we only have 30 days left together. So let's make today a great day. Let's make each day count. What do you think?"

Instant sadness.

"Only 30 days left?" "What?!? 30 days? That's it?" "Can we make school longer?" "I don't want to leave!"

It's not only hard for my students to believe, but also for me, that there are only 6 weeks left of this school year. What a beautiful, messy, ordained year it has been. I have come to love a group of 20 students as if they were my own children, feeling more like a mother figure than an educator, students now with tears in their eyes not wanting to leave me.

Trust me, little ones, I don't want you to leave me, either.

I have realized that I am going to be one insane parent one day. I'm going to go nuts the day I have to drop them off in Kindergarten, or even preschool, or even with a babysitter. It amazes me that these parents and caregivers trust us as educators each day to take their children in and help them become who they are meant to be. What if someone can't do it? What if someone can't do it as well as I can, help my child see their potential and bring out the best in them? What if someone can't see past the insecurities or weaknesses and see the beauty and strength in him or her?

I think that's how I'm beginning to feel about my sweet students. I know them and I know them well. I know what makes them tick. I know what voice to use and what words to say to each one, I know how to get them to work better, I know how to help them when they are having a bad day, I know exactly how they are feeling when they do that one face, or sit that certain way. I have come to love the unlovables, the ones who always seem to get into trouble or hurt others' feelings, the ones who steal or fight or cut others down. I have come to see behind all of that frontal misbehavior and see into their souls. I have begun to give hugs at any time-- who says I can't hug a student in the middle of something? Maybe it is exactly what that student needs at that moment to push through. I have become quite fond of my students, and I love them to pieces. I know they are my first round of kiddos and they will always hold a really special place in my life. I just can't stand the thought of them going from me, to hand them over to another capable educator here, who will probably do an amazing job as well. It's not that I don't trust that. It's just the fear of the unknown, the fear of someone not seeing the best in one of my students and bringing that out of them, the fear of someone not appreciating the fact that Kiwi celebrates far too enthusiastically about the vegetable that comes with the school lunch every morning by my door, someone not finding the angelic-ness in one of my roughest students and fueling it with constant praise and encouragement, someone not seeing the academic brilliance of one of my quiet students, someone not embracing the curiosity and constant questioning of one of my most knowledgeable and astounding minds. I see so much greatness and strength in each of my students. They have come so far and I want them to continue to be held to high expectations, to meet them, to feel like they can meet them.

I really am not trying to make it seem like I don't trust in the other teachers here. I am so ecstatic for them to get to know and love my kids. I think it's also that I just need to trust that they are not mine to keep, but they are all God's, whether they know or believe they are, or whether anyone reading thinks they are. I am using my freedom to say that I believe He has them in His hands and He will continue to be with them through everything, in everything, developing them into who they are supposed to be. It is with this trust that I am able to let go slowly, as the days continue to count down.

Spring Break Means...

10 weeks until school is out for the year.

What? Didn't I just start doing this? Didn't I just have Meet the Teacher Night and nervously thumb through parent forms and sort school supplies while not making any conversation with my students because I wanted them to fear me?

Haha. I've come so far.

But this is what I have been learning this week: yes, I have come so far. But there is still so far to go. I'm excited for what that entails-- that if I feel like I finally have a flow, a sweet rhythm to my every day in the classroom, and it's just my first year...then it's only going to go up from here.

The year up to this point can be summed up in a few words: challenging, difficult, rewarding, joyful. I have enjoyed every single part of it-- the ups, the downs, the week before Christmas break; the days where I've had to step out and circle the school a few times to shed a few tears before returning to the classroom to find my kids doing Daily 5, working independently, engaged in their work, and laughing to myself... Why am I so worried? Why do I put so much pressure on myself? Because my kids-- they are great.

I have taught them how to be independent learners and how to take charge of their own learning. This is a huge success for my students. This is a difficult thing to do for students, to instill in them the love of learning and create intrinsic, self motivation. They are now operating, I would venture to say, 90% of the time on their own. Their dependence on me is slim-- of course they still need me to take care of cuts, scrapes, mean older brothers and the sad times when the cafeteria is out of strawberry milk. They need me to teach them new information, to excite them about school and learning, to be silly with them and name our Smart Board DJ and blame him when things mess up technologically. But all of this aside, they have seriously taken responsibility for themselves as learners, and they tackle it all with finesse. I do not have prouder moments than when I have to leave the room to take care of an accident or borrow paint from another teacher, to return and find my students working as diligently as before, all over the carpet, tools and supplies everywhere, excited over spelling words or writing or math, what have you.

I think the kicker, though, is not that I credit myself for any of this. I have spent many moments crediting myself, only to find the next several days flat on my face. The credit has to be attributed to the one who creates, the one who is mighty to save. He has created me, made me into this teacher, given me the skills and patience and love necessary. He enables me to do all of this, and I can't say that it is me at all.

Spring break has been extremely lazy, relaxing, and full of reading, friends, music writing, and family time. I have enjoyed the time off, of course, and feel refreshed to finish the year out strong. I have 10 weeks left with these precious children who I have come to love as my own. And I am ready to make the most of them.

Kids Sure Do Love Themselves...

...good thing I love them back!

Preface: Today we had presentations of my class's first major project. They were to create a timeline of their life and bring it to school. Some of the projects I got were taller than me (literally). It was so refreshing to see how much thought and effort these kids put into the timelines of their precious little lives of only 6, 7, or 8 years.

Set-Up: I knew that the presentation time would be hard for 20 kids to sit through-- so I told them each to pick 3 of their favorite things from their timeline to share, and then ask at the end "Any questions?" to their classmates. They were to pick one student to ask 1 question and they could answer it.

Execution: These presentations were the cutest things I have ever seen. Think of your close friends in college or in the business world, preparing for a major presentation and getting antsy and nervous about it. Think of how much thought and time they put into their work. This is what I got today, but on a first grade level. These kids were beyond excited to talk about themselves, their lives, and see one another's timelines. They would not stop asking me all day long when we were going to do our presentations. One child I told him if he asked me one more time, he would pull his color. I know, I'm just terrible.

Here are some brief highlights from the presentations:

Boy Student: "And this is me, getting baptized!"
Students: "What is baptized?" "What does that mean?" "What happens when you are baptism?"
Boy Student: "Well. It means that God blessed me."
Students: "...What?" "What does that mean?"
Boy Student: "It means that God put his love on me. It means that he put love in me and in my heart and he blessed me."
Other boy student: "Yeah, the people at my church, they hold their noses like this and go underwater...(demonstrates the going-underwater-dance-move on the floor)"

Girl Student, who usually is painfully shy and you cannot hear very well, speaks loudly and swiftly: "This is me as a new big sister! And this is me as a baby when I was borned! And this is my first smile! When I was a baby! Any questions??"

Boy Student: "And this was my first trip to Africa, ever."
Other students: "WHOA. You went to Africa?" "Did you see animals? What ones?"
Boy Student: "Yeah, I did, I saw lots of animals...like...wild-a-beasts, giraffes, elephants...oh...and LIONS..."
Other boy student: "Are you saying...that you saw AFRICAN elephants?!"
"Yep. African elephants."
Third boy student: "So, like...what did the animals say when they talked?"

Last but not least, one of my students decked out their entire posterboard with "I <3 Miss Leiss" all over it. Even above the pictures of his family or his birth.

Thankful.

My Lunch with Kiwi

My students earn good choice sticks and can redeem them for prizes, and one of the things they can buy for 8 sticks is to eat lunch with me. This past Friday at lunch, I was honored with the opportunity to have lunch with Kiwi.

Having already entertained you with funny things he has said or done, I am so excited to share with you the following experience. This child did not stop talking nor entertaining me the entire lunch period. I wish I could have video taped the whole thing, or at least written down everything he was saying. From types of dinosaurs to Jesus to why he knows the things he knows, Kiwi brought me an immense amount of joy at lunch on Friday. Here are a few key quotes and moments with him:

(taking my Lean Cuisine pizza out of the microwave)
"Wow, Miss Leiss! You have a round pizza there!"
"I sure do."
"Man. I can't wait 'til I'M a teacher so that I can have round pizzas whenever I want! Every day even!"
"It's a pretty good deal. What do you want to teach?"
"Pre-school. I want to be a pre-school teacher, and now I'm just so excited about getting to have those round pizzas. ...Do you think I can have a bite of that round pizza?"

(discussing phonics lesson from the day before)
"Yeah, and Miss Leiss, I know that combination or says or like horse. Do you know how I know?"
"How do you know?"
"Because of my brain. (huge smile) It's a good one."

"Wow, Miss Leiss. I can't believe I get to eat on the STAGE today. I'm like a teacher already."

"You know, I bet this lunch would be a whoooole lot better if I had some kiwi to eat with it."
"Do you really like to eat kiwi?"
"YES! It's the best ever. My grandma made me try it and I'm so glad she did."

There are definitely days where I don't feel like allowing my students to eat lunch with me. It's the one time per day I get a break to myself without them besides my planning period, and sometimes it is so desperately needed. But then God gives me opportunities to spend time with these kids not in the context of teaching them digraphs or what a non-living thing is. I get to see their eyes sparkle when they talk about how they went to see monster trucks this weekend, how they got new shoes, or about how proud they are to be a new big brother. I'm really thankful for these lunch dates with my kids, and to be able to be human with them. I think kids really need that, for someone older to be real with them, to ask them questions and dig into their lives a little deeper, for us even as adults to answer questions and be a little more transparent when we are able to. These kids soak it all up-- they learn from us and our mistakes, they watch our every moves, they love TCU because I do, they think green is the greatest color because I love green, and they know I don't have any kids of my own so they tell me that they are my kids for now, and they will make sure I know that they love me.

Life is good.

Bursting with Joy

The past two weeks have caused me to burst with joy at the seams. The snow week was a God-send, giving me a restful time with friends, family, and my savior. It was the Christmas break I didn't get to have-- full of peace, rest, and doing nothing because the roads wouldn't let you. I could not have been more thankful for the timing of this past week's snowmaggedon.

It allowed me to self-reflect and learn and grow. It enabled me to miss my students more than I thought possible, not in that I was dying to be at school, but in that I recognized how sad I would be without them in my life. God gave me the strength to see all of this, and I became determined to love them better than I have been. This past week has been overflowing with love, and I owe it all to our mighty king. I found myself surprised at how things were flowing out of my mouth at times. On Tuesday morning before class started I read some of Romans to start my morning, which said "The word is on your lips, and it is spoken in your heart." It was talking about how the word of God is not far from us; it remains in us and on our lips and hearts even when we are not reading it directly. God, I thank you for that truth. You are allowing your sweet word to drip from my mouth without me even thinking twice. You are so indescribably awesome.

This week, I feel like my call to teach has been confirmed. I feel like I've come so far this year in my first year of teaching. I look back at last semester and smile. I look back on my first month and laugh. Funny how you learn through doing, through experiencing things. I am so grateful to have a staff and school and team (and forgiving students!) that have supported me throughout this first go at teaching; they've let me fail, they've allowed me space and room to breathe and try new things, and they help me when I just can't anymore. It's the biggest blessing to be at a school where I love my colleagues and they love me back. Not to mention the support and enthusiasm they all bring.

Highlights of my week:

-One of my students' moms came to me after school and told me that they had been thinking about moving the past year or so. When asking her daughter this past week if she still wanted to move, my student replied, "Um, I really don't think so. I want to be able to stay at my school so I can still see Miss Leiss everyday."


-Our students are currently composing and writing their own books (I am so proud). They follow the "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly" format. Here are some of the precious things they've come up with:

"There was an old lady who swallowed a pumpkin. I don't know why she swallowed a pumpkin, perhaps she'll grow a chin."

"There was an old lady who swallowed a mummy. I don't know why she swallowed a mummy, perhaps it will fatten her tummy."


-We had our awards assembly on Tuesday morning, where I look to find one of my co-teacher's students lying passed out on the floor, sleeping. This student cracks me up everyday, and I know it's not funny that he was sleeping on the cafeteria floor, but...it is. I mean, the cold, hard, dirty, cafeteria floor, and this student was not just sleeping, but snoring. When we finally woke him up, he tiredly rose from the floor and looked down to find a puddle of drool on the cafeteria tile. He preceeded to wipe it up with his shirt. I could not hold it in. I was laughing all the way through 2nd grade awards.

I really love my job. God is so present here.