What Kids Want!

Today, I spoke with my five year old niece about school.  I asked her what she wanted her new teacher to be like.  Her response didn't really surprise me, but I did think it was interesting, so I'm sharing it as a reminder.

1.  I want her to be like me.  I want her to have red hair just like me and to look like me and also pretty like mommy.

2.  I want her to love me.

3.  I want her to be nice.  (I followed up by asking what that looked like and she said, "I don't know what she'll look like.  I don't know who my teacher is yet.") After clarifying Della said, "She will hug me and help me.  When I make a mistake she'll say, 'It's okay Della, and then I can clean up my mess."

It's that simple: love, be kind, and have grace for the children and the families in your class.  Make time to build relationships with each of them by getting to know them and who they are.  My goal for this year is to slow down, accept the day for what it is, breathe a little, and just be fully present in the moment.