I love the way kids think. The crazy things they connect, how they think things work, etc. Lately I’ve been reminded of some of the misconceptions I had growing up. Here are just a few of them.

1. I loved the Wizard of Oz. My sis and I watched it a lot growing up. At one point in time (when we were still young) our mom told us the actress that played her died because she had no friends. For years I seriously thought if I didn’t have friends I would die.

2. My sis and I thought that as we got older, our parents got younger. Meaning when we were grown up, our mom and dad would be kids. So when we got mad at our mom we would always say things like “When we grow up and you’re our kid, we’ll….”

3. You know when a TV is on in room down the hall so you see light flickering out from the room? Whenever I saw this mysterious light coming from my parents’ room I thought aliens were in there talking to them.

4. We used to have a clock that chimed on the hour. I love it. One of those noises from childhood that’ll always stick with me. Around preschool-ish I vividly remember thinking there were little people that looked just like my family inside the clock playing instruments.

5. Talk about egocentrism. A lot of young kids think their teachers are just…teachers. There for them. In the beginning of first grade I remember thinking my kindergarten and first grade teacher were best friends. I thought this because I thought all they ever did was talk about me to help me learn.

6. Maybe I shouldn’t admit this, but we watched the making of Thriller over and over…and over. I thought that Michael Jackson would stay the same age and when I caught up with him we would get married and live happily ever after. I remember wanting to be the girl (Janet) in the Thriller video with him. That’s scary. At least he was close to normal and very talented back then.

7. We used to go camping with the whole family. On this particular trip our dad was letting us “shoot” one of his guns into the air (over the lake). My sis and I had been to a couple Sunday school classes prior to this and were very concerned the bullets would go through the clouds and hit Jesus in the butt. I don’t remember this one, but our mom reminded us later on.

What were some misconceptions you had as a kid? I love hearing these things so please share!

*I was going to start a new blog and this was my first post there, so I apologize to the couple of you that have already read this. I wrote it about 2 weeks ago. I decided I like wordpress better, so I’m back.

The past 3 months have been nothing less of chaos. Twelve+ hours a day at school, most of my “free time” spent doing teaching related stuff, etc. I’ve loved every minute, but there are times when the stress and constant struggle to keep up get the best of me.

Yesterday I realized how blessed I truly am to have this job. A brand new school, amazing team and principal, everything. As I was walking through the halls (without my kids, so I took in things I normally don’t) I just had to stop and thank God. The atmosphere is so uplifting- bright colors everywhere, soft music playing in the halls and incredible art work covering the walls (our art teacher fills all the extra bulletin boards with it). I love this place.

So thank you God for putting me here. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to begin my career at my first choice school. Thank you for the great evaluation I had with my principal last week that ensured me my second year will also be spent here. You are amazing.

I figured it’s time for an update. I’ve survived first quarter- report cards and parent-teacher conferences are over, so that’s a good thing.  This wont be a very thought provoking post, just random updates from the last month or so.

• The girl I last posted about went downhill after that. It got to the point of daily kicking walls/classroom furnature (and me), screaming, throwing things, etc. We had to evacuate my class multiple times because it wasn’t safe for the rest of the kids to be in there (and she refused to willingly leave when help arrived). I’ve learned how to properly restrain a kid through my experiences with her.  Anyway, Wednesday was her last day. I love her to death and I will be visiting her at the alternative school weekly, but I am so relieved. It’s good for her, because they’ll be able to better meet her needs. It’s good for the rest of my kiddos because we can actually learn…and I can give them more attention now. And it’s good for the school staff. Our recovery room teacher, counselor and principal have been devoting so much time to this one student. Anyway….it’s been a really emotional journey, but I’m thankful she’ll get the support she needs there and I can’t wait to visit her.
• A sign I’ve been spending too much time at school- my stepdad broke his arm and I didn’t know until 3 days later. And I live with him. Pathetic of me, right? But now that first quarter is done, I feel like I’ll be able to better balance my time at school and maybe start to gain back some sort of social life.
• Related to basically living at school, I realized last week I make less than $5/hour. Maybe I shoudn’t spend so much extra time doing school stuff, but it’s so worth it…so I guess I’ve ok with it. 
• I find myself still kind of amazed when I meet people and introduce myself as a first grade teacher (I just did). I know it’s weird, but it somehow hasn’t sunk in that I’m doing the job I’ve so long waited to do.

I could keep going, but really need to get off (Halloween plans are calling my name). I’ll try to update more regularly. God has been doing some incredible things lately, which is great considering I’ve had a hard time making him my focus. I’ll share soon.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Two weeks ago I got offered a teaching position for next year. What’s more than that is it was my very top choice. I first heard about the new school Fort was building about 2 years ago and have wanted to go there since. Everything about district that I’ve experience (from student teaching and I’m doing now) plus meeting the principal a few times more than confirmed my desire to be there.

 God definitely provides. And the fact that I was offered a job this early is a huge blessing! I cannot wait to experience my first year as a teacher in a brand stinkin new school with an amazing principal.

 Check out the slide-show (halfway down) to check out Indian Trails. This is where I work!!!

http://www.fortosage.k12.mo.us/

The way she offered it to me was really encouraging! I could go on, but I’ll spare you. I am so so so thankful and cannot wait to see what the beginning of my teaching career brings!

Today in Kindergarten (a class I’m teaching for the rest of the year), we were talking about Presidents. We started off by answering the question “What does the President do?”. They gave me answers such as “makes sure we follows rules” and “helps the whole world”.  One boy added that the president is everyone’s boss. Without hesitation one of my little girls urgently said “Miss Wilcox, that’s not right. GOD is our boss, not the President!”. 

 I love it.

 Prayer request: I have two interviews with my top two choices this week. Fort Osage’s new school (my first choice) on Friday morning and Independence on Saturday. These are my first REAL interviews and your prayers would be SO appreciated! Thanks.