For my Bad Day Box

After a particularly challenging week left me questioning why I became a teacher in the first place, I was feeling really down about my position at my school, and wondering if it was even worth sticking around at Grady. When my students were driving me crazy with their lack of respect, their disinterest in learning, and their overall attitudes, I decided to email the parents of some of my best students. Rather than contacting parents of the "bad" students, I got to praise my good students. Not only did I get to brag about these wonderful kids, I received some amazing compliments in return. I printed these emails to remind me why I love this job, and they are headed toward my Bad Day Binder (I didn't end up making a box). And posted here for constant reminder to me and anyone else who may be struggling through their first year or student teaching experience....

My virtual Bad Day Box:

Thank you so much for your email. It is so nice to hear good things especially when a parent usually only receives information if something is wrong. He is enjoying Spanish so much. I appreciate all you do to make learning a second language a fun experience.

Ms. Aho,
Thank you so much for your wonderful note. I will certainly pass it along to A. He is loving Spanish and comes home talking to us using whatever he's learnt that day Even I'm beginning to pick up on it! Thanks for making it such a fun and positive experience.

Thank you so much for such a refreshing email. I must return the compliment and let you know the girls think you are amazing. They are so excited to learn and that thrills me as a parent. Keep up the great work, I can't wait to see the progress from now until the end of the year.

Wow! Thank you so much. S's first language was actually Spanish. Although she only spoke the language for thee years, she stopped being exposed and forgot all that she had learned. I also studied Spanish and was equally enthusiastic about learning the language. She has my complete support in learning. Thanks for noticing.

Hello Ms. Aho,
Please call me Laura. Thank you very much for your words. I am very proud of him. I can tell you that N has taken Spanish lessons in the past however no one ever seemed to catch his attention the way you have. He actually comes home and wants to have trial conversations. Keep up the great work as you are doing a great job yourself!
Thank you!


Sigh. It warms my heart and makes me want to get up and go to work on Monday, when not 12 hours ago I was having panic attacks at the thought of it! It is amazing how special my students are and their enthusiasm is the only thing bringing me back each day.

You had a bad day....

Had a bad teaching day? As beginning teachers, it's sure to happen (more often than you want it to!) And while our teaching will get better with more experience, the bad days don't stop. Unfortunately. As a person who gets wrapped up in her emotions, it can be hard to shake these bad day feelings and get back in the saddle to try again. Since I can't flip a switch and become an awesome teacher who will never make another mistake, I had to find a way to deal with the bad day blues.

First things first, I have to give myself some time to acknowledge those feelings. They are valid, and it's ok to be upset and disappointed when you don't live up to your expectations. Last week I let myself have my half-hour drive home for sad time. But then I got out of the car, and my sad time followed me out. I couldn't make myself snap out of the funk, convinced that I would never be a good teacher and filled with doom and gloom (don't worry, my teaching that day was NOT as bad as I felt like it was). So now I have a great idea (in my humble opinion...) for beating the bad day blues:

Had a bad day?
Make a bad day box!
(or folder, or document, or journal, or whatever works for you!)
Fill it with positive feedback from a mentor teacher, compliments and comments from students (my favorite so far - "I definitely won't forget THAT now!"), funny things heard in high school, a lesson plan you're extra proud of, photos, inspirational quotes, anything that will put a smile on your face...the sky is the limit!

What a great way to bust out of that funk and remember why you wanted to become a teacher in the first place. Give it a try, it just might help!

And if that doesn't work, listen to Daniel Powter's 'Bad Day' (a favorite of mine!) The video never fails to make me smile!