Hello from the Powers!!

Ahh, where should I begin...

Teaching--
Wow, teaching is hard. I'm sure teaching is fractionally comparable to parenting (don't be offended by my comparison--the similarities only go so far). It seems like there are always little challenges nagging on me and sucking my energy out, but then there are small moments of goodness that make it all worth while. The good moments are when students get it and it clicks for them, or when they make the funniest, most ridiculous comments ever. As a whole, I am so impressed with my class. They are good, precious little souls.

As for those challenges I was mentioning. I have learned a few things: 1) Some kids really don't care that much about school. This was surprising to me. I figured that almost all kids at that age would care, especially in such a high-end area. However, I think some of the students have been cushioned so much that they just don't know how to work. I think some of them have the mentality that because their family has it easy, it will always be that way--they don't see the effort their parents put in to get where they are. 2) Some parents are softies. I always thought of the topic of being your child's friend/parent when I've considered teenagers but I'm realizing it starts a lot earlier than that. Some parents have the hardest time disciplining their children (whether it be for disrespect to me or for having excessive missing work). 3) As a coworker said, "Your first year teaching is like trying to build a plane while flying it." I feel like I have a few things down, but overall, this year has been a mushy, repetitive cycle of trying different programs/schedules/ideas on for size. I'm realizing now that I just have to take what I've learned and apply it to next year, because its really hard for students to adapt to change. As a teacher you have several people telling you what to do: parents, principal, your team, your students, your education, and the district. Everyone wants something different, and I have to really pick my battles, and just choose what I really feel I need to stick to, and what can go.

Us--
We are perpetually exhausted. With med school, teaching, and Duncan, we are hard-pressed to find much balance in our lives. We try though. I've been trying to read more because it relieves my stress a lot. I am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo though and while its so exciting, it kind of makes me scared sometimes and you might not know this but I have occasional periods of anxiety/fear/etc. of being kidnapped/raped so I'm hoping I can continue reading the book without this getting to serious. I don't think I'll be able to read the whole series though. It is so exciting so far and I get through a lot each time I read, but then I find myself scared of silly things. I don't think this book is as much of a "stress relief" as others I've read recently...ha...maybe its counterproductive.

Primary--
We teach the 4 year olds in primary. I feel like 4 might be a little too young for primary--the kids haven't even been in school yet and have no idea how to sit through a lesson--but we try our best. One boy even told us that quote, "I love you but I am not your dad." WHAT!? You're not my dad? Whoa.

Duncan--
Ahh puppies. He recently has started thinking he is a cat. He tries to get on the counter and kitchen table because he now knows that this is where the food is kept. He is hard to wear down, because his energy seems endless and again, we are so tired that its hard to wear him down.

So, that's us. I'm really tired while writing this, so I'm hoping this doesn't seem super negative.