AB oh I C now... Teaching primary

When I arrived to Abu Dhabi and first set foot in my grade two classroom, I thought "ah man, here we go. Look at these needy, can't-do-anything-for-themselves, whine-because-we-feel-like-it, less knowledge than me, need to be told a billion times critters."

You see, I was used to university aged students, upper level high school even. I didn't mind kids and I had taught them briefly before, but not at such a big scale (20+) and for long periods of time (allllll day....). 

Over the months I've been here, I've learned to appreciate my position as a grade two teacher. Primary teachers are vital contributors to childhood development. 

I remember one day during break time, one of my students, who I'd never seen cry (lots of these kids cry when the wind blows...), got hurt. Someone had twisted his arm and I asked him to show me what happened (his English wasn't the best and he didn't explain it well, so I didn't know what happened). He took my arm and twisted it hard. It actually kind of hurt! I mean, this is a teeny little 7 year old twisting a 25 year old woman's arm... it shouldn't hurt. But I could see that it would hurt him. The place he twisted my arm actually turned a little red. I was instantly upset at whoever hurt my poor little child. 

If you are a teacher, especially a primary teacher, you can most likely relate to the feeling of having 20+ kids. Literally.... they are YOUR children. I care about these kids like my own! 

Anyway, so M told me someone hurt him at break time. It was his friend who hurt him. He asked me "Miss Sarah, why he would do this to me?" I said "M, I don't know why he would do this to you." And then M started to cry. I ALMOST CRIED, OMG. That darling little face, so strong, so obedient. Every day he comes to school smiling, sits in his place, eager to hear about the day's lessons. Every afternoon, he waves good bye and giggles out the door as I singsong "Good byyyyyyye, see you tomorrrrrrow" to him. 

One of my kids was hurt. I said "Let me tell you something. I will always take care of you. You tell me whenever someone hurts you. I will make sure they are spoken to and I will always make sure you are okay." He nodded his head. 

I took this moment to address the entire class. I told them I was always available for a hug. I would always listen to their stories (within reason, haha. If I'm in the middle of a math lesson and you want to tell me 5784 things about your pet turtle, then no!). I told them I would always be there if they felt unsafe or scared at break time (break time is vicious.... a million kids running around screaming and hitting each other... it's truly terrifying for a weak one.) 

I realized something that day. I, a grade two teacher, have such a strong impact on the growth and development of these children. All teachers do! But as one of the first teachers these kids see, know, listen to, experience (along with kindergarten teachers -- bless your hearts, THAT'S a hard job! and grade one teachers), I act as a foundation for the rest of their educational experience. I am important to these kids. 

I try not to get annoyed now when a student wants to tell me everything going on in his or her life. I try to maintain my composure when all twenty one of them need me at the same time. I am honoured. I am flattered. I am a very important part of their lives. 

One parent told me on parent teacher night that his daughters love me so much they won't stop talking about me. If one is acting out at home or refusing to do her chores, the other will say "Miss Sarah wouldn't like that. You should be nice to mom and dad." I was seriously touched. 

Another parent asked me to come over and just be there to discipline her child because he never listened to his mother. I told her he listened to me very well. Wow.... 

I feel like in any profession, you really don't realize how special and important and necessary you are until you are told time and time again. Having my students AND parents tell me how wonderful I am makes my job all the more easy. Teaching grade two in Abu Dhabi is the hardest job I've ever had but it is shaping up to be one of the most notable and soul-searching/self-finding experiences of my life. 

This experience PROVES that you really don't know anything about something until you try it. Teaching grade 2 was the last grade on my list to teach and now? Holy shit... these kids are just hilarious and awesome! :)