You may be reading this title and thinking that I'm going to talk to you about the teachers, or maybe the principal. You're very wrong. Although the principals and teachers ARE extremely valued and important, there are some other people that also deserve the world and can be A M A Z I N G resources for your students. These beautiful, wonderful people are known to most as custodians, secretaries, copy-room ladies, lunch ladies, paraprofessionals, and other support staff members who we may look right over at times.
Some of you probably know that I grew up with a dad as a custodian who taught me to be extra grateful and appreciative of all of these people-especially the custodians! ;) I always would say, "yeah..yeah...", but now that I am going to have my own classroom someday, I see just how valuable these support staff members are. Just the other day my fifth graders were flying paper airplanes in the hallway. There were some design flaws and learning opportunities that my cooperating teacher and I were not sure exactly how to address, as neither of us are aerospace engineers. The custodian walked out of the boiler room at the most ideal time, and was able to explain in great detail how to craft their next set of airplanes so they would be able to get the best flight. The kids were enthralled in listening to him, and it was so refreshing to see the appreciation from my cooperating teacher.
You may think of your support staff members as people who are just doing their jobs and do not want to be bothered with you. I think there is something to be said for any individual who accepts a job within a school district, and that is a desire and passion for the betterment of our students' lives. So, I leave you with this advice. Look to your secretaries, your custodians, your librarians, your computer technology crews, your paraprofessionals, and all those other people you say "Hi" to in the hallways every single day. These people are generally more than happy to help out. They may have a hidden wealth of knowledge that can be a great supplement to specific units or lessons you're working on, and your appreciation for them reflects on the students, which leads your students to grow into appreciative and resourceful adults.
P.S. Custodians usually have the best jokes!
Until next time...
May your coffee be strong, your heart full, and your classroom messy.
Some of you probably know that I grew up with a dad as a custodian who taught me to be extra grateful and appreciative of all of these people-especially the custodians! ;) I always would say, "yeah..yeah...", but now that I am going to have my own classroom someday, I see just how valuable these support staff members are. Just the other day my fifth graders were flying paper airplanes in the hallway. There were some design flaws and learning opportunities that my cooperating teacher and I were not sure exactly how to address, as neither of us are aerospace engineers. The custodian walked out of the boiler room at the most ideal time, and was able to explain in great detail how to craft their next set of airplanes so they would be able to get the best flight. The kids were enthralled in listening to him, and it was so refreshing to see the appreciation from my cooperating teacher.
You may think of your support staff members as people who are just doing their jobs and do not want to be bothered with you. I think there is something to be said for any individual who accepts a job within a school district, and that is a desire and passion for the betterment of our students' lives. So, I leave you with this advice. Look to your secretaries, your custodians, your librarians, your computer technology crews, your paraprofessionals, and all those other people you say "Hi" to in the hallways every single day. These people are generally more than happy to help out. They may have a hidden wealth of knowledge that can be a great supplement to specific units or lessons you're working on, and your appreciation for them reflects on the students, which leads your students to grow into appreciative and resourceful adults.
P.S. Custodians usually have the best jokes!
Until next time...
May your coffee be strong, your heart full, and your classroom messy.