Your Head or Your Heart

Has it really been a week since my last post??? I have missed so much happening out there on all of the wonderful blogs I stalk and I apologize to all of my sweet and amazing bloggy friends for not stopping by and leaving you any comments. This week was filled with panic and stress because what some of you might call the Curriculum Cops were paying my school a visit.

I HATE people coming in my classroom and it worries my beyond words. I still get nervous when my principal comes in my room. I know what I need to work on and was ready to make a list of those things, tape them on my door, and then shut and lock my door. I was really worrying about if they would ask my kiddos any questions. Holy Moly....that is a ticking time bomb because who knows what will come out of a Firsties mouth.

I was also worrying because I know some of the things we are asked to do may not be developmentally appropriate for my kiddos AND there is also NO WAY on God's green Earth that you can get it all in. I am not a magician but feel like that is what we are asked to do daily trying to get it ALL in. The stress of doing all of that then turns me into a warden at times. I found myself at times this week having less patience than I usually do because I was trying to do things the way they think we should. And who cares that it was the week before Spring Break, Dr. Seuss' birthday, AND time to start our DRA assessments PLUS individual math assessments.

Many times it seems it comes down to following your head or your heart.

I want to do what is best for my kiddos. I know the Curriculum Cops who visited us want what is best for ALL of our kiddos too. But they also have people telling them what they need to be doing and what the children in my classroom need to be doing. No one seems to care about the number of ESL kiddos we might have in our rooms or the number of children who have been identified as at-risk or the fact we might have 7 children who might be dealing with burdens such as abuse, parents in jail, homelessness, poverty, or the fact they only meals they eat are the ones they get when they come to school. ALL children regardless of their circumstances are expected to make the same achievements and academic gains, right??!!????

My head knows what the expectations are and what my curriculum tells me I need to be teaching. Then I look out at the 17 little faces who look up to me and trust me. I think at times if I were to die tomorrow would I want people to say that I did a good job teaching my curriculum or that I loved my kiddos with all of my heart and tried my best to help each child reach their fullest potential AND feel successful.

It is so easy to forget and lose focus that we aren't teaching just a curriculum or standards. I am also not saying that you cannot teach the curriculum and make it fun and engaging because you can! I had to remind myself of this poem I shared a few months ago.

I will try my best to teach my curriculum but I will also remember that God put that child in my classroom. My job is to teach them reading, math, and more...but I also need to give that child my unconditional love, patience and understanding, and help that child know they can touch the lives of others by being kind and helpful.

Now for a fun *freebie*! =)

Hop on over to my TpT store and grab this fun March *freebie*! While you are there, I would love for you to follow my store. If you think you already follow it, please try again because I once had a link that didn't work! =) Click on the picture to go grab it from my TpT store.

While you are blog stalking this week, you need to go visit a few blogs that might be new to you.

First, you need to go visit Stacy at 2nd Grade Paradise. Stacy is a sweetheart and an awesome 2nd grade teacher. I would love for any of my Firsties to have her as their teacher. Stacy has just started creating *freebies* and they are so cute! =) Stop by and grab this game.

Next, you need to go visit Cheryl at Crayons and Curls. I LOVE Cheryl! She has followed me when I first started blogging and didn't know what I was doing....wait, I still don't know what I am doing! =) Cheryl is also a Texas teacher...WAHOO! She teaches Kinder and is so awesome. She is a great follower who will always help you if you are having a giveaway or just needing some encouragement.

These 2 ladies would love for you to go visit them and I promise that you will be glad you did! Tell them that Heather sent you! =)

I hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend. I would love for you to leave me a heart note. I also want to let each of you know how much I treasure each note that you leave me...thank you for blessing me. =)