Waiting for 3:45...

I teach first grade.

I know what you are thinking right now: How fun?!! I am sure it would be wonderful to be able to have little happy children all day singing songs and coloring pretty pictures.

Well, hell, I think that would be fun, too! That, however is not my life. My first graders are not what you see on TV. They really lead some interesting lives. Interesting is not the word to use...but I have not yet found something appropriate. See I work in what is called an 'urban' school (I will explain to you later why I am learning to HATE the word urban). I started teaching in Miami completely by accident. What happened was I waited until I was kinda old to get married. I packed up my raggedy duffel bag (you have to watch Living Single to get that one) and moved. At the time I was sure that I would be able to get a job doing what I had been doing for the last 10 years, banking. Little did I know that my high school freshman Spanish just was not gonna cut it in the M.I.A.

So you ask...teaching? One of Hubby's friend suggested it. She knew a principal and they knew some school board members and 'voila' the next thing you know I am the permanent sub at an elementary school in Carol City. I moved to my own classroom the next year and the rest is history!! Don't get me wrong...I love what I do. I believe deep in my heart that one my students will be the first black something. Not sure which one of what yet, but something nonetheless.

During my time in Miami, I took to writing a journal (blog) of the day to day antics at school and not only did it relieve some stress, but it did open a few folks eyes to what happens in school that are not as privileged....schools that are urban (God I hate that word!!). Hopefully, someone will run across this and not only get a laugh, but a view into a teachers world.

By the way...3:45 is the new time we get out of school. Yes, the still start around 8:30 and yes, that seems to be an awfully long time to have 6 years olds in school. But it is the way of the urban (is anyone else skin itching at the sound of that word yet?)school.

Enjoy...