Joy

Miss S., aka super para, is back! The kids and I are literally dancing with joy. Ms. S still does not want to share the reason for her absence and I have been respecting her privacy and not specifically asking. Though I am a bit curious, I am relieved and excited that she is back.

When you are used to working in a classroom that is designed for two adults, it is very difficult to work alone. It was difficult for me to keep it all together and meet their needs. I wrestled with this idea for several days. I knew that I was working as hard as I could and do the best of my abilities, but I went home during the first few days of Ms. S' absence feeling like I let the kids down, like I was responsible for decline in the quality of their education.

Then help finally arrived and that brought its own challenges. I was grateful that their was another person but it was confusing for my young students, especially those who thrive on routines. I was able to enjoy the basics like duty free lunch where I could sit and collect my thoughts with out a student needing help. I was grateful also for an extra pair of eyes and hands in the day to day business of creating a rich and engaging learning environment for young children.

But then there were some challenges. Some days we had help all day. Some days, we just had help for part of the day. Sometimes we had no help at all. Then when we did have help, it was a different person each day. The children wanted to show each new person all their "tricks". They were confused by all of the new people and many of them had difficulties last week with transitions and following the routine that we established way back in September.

When Ms. S walked in yesterday, I did everything I could not too leap up and hug her. As the kids trickled in and saw her, their faces lit up and many hugs were given. I observed her yesterday and today and can tell that she is as glad to see us as we all are to see her. Welcome back!