Toddlers and Tiaras

     Never in my life did I think I would end up being a teacher, at least at any level lower than college. But then last year with Reading Corps got me into an elementary school, and now I'm a full-blown preschool teacher. And while I'm not sure this is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing, I'm actually really enjoying it.
     My job unofficially started with my visit to the school last Saturday. It was an absolute wreck. There were pieces of IKEA furniture scattered all around the place, and the upstairs classrooms looked like a bomb had just gone off with toys and art supplies as the casualties. But Chris assured me it would all be pulled together by Monday when the kids were due to arrive. I put together 6 drawers and met three of the other teachers: Chris from South Africa, Gale from northern Scotland, and Kristof, a Czech. Besides them and me there's Eric from Indiana, Stephanie from Florida, and Flavia, an Italian. These Czech kids are going to be exposed to so many different accents they won't know what to do. At least they'll be able to understand practically anything.
     Monday morning I showed up at 8, not really having any idea what to expect. I ended up spending nearly the whole week with the Ladybugs, kids 2.5 to 4 years old. Some of the older ones actually speak English really well, and the Dragons (4-6 year olds) are basically at the same level as their native counterparts. Others of them can barely speak Czech, and can hardly be expected to speak English, which is why Kristof hangs out with the babes. It's incredible how much effect a reprimand in Czech can have when all the scolding in English accomplishes nothing. I spent the week doing art projects, helping kids wash their hands, and feeding them snacks. There was very little formal teaching going on, but that will be starting in the next week once things settle down a little more and the kids are a little more used to being in school. Next week they'll also be starting their after-school program for former students who have moved on to 'Big School'. They get lessons in science, history, and whatever else we can come up with.
     The biggest joy in this job is connecting with the kids, and knowing that I'm really making a difference in their lives. One afternoon, I taught a four year old the word 'empty', and her face lit up when she understood it. Monday morning they were all a little wary of the new teacher, but I'm pretty sure I got through to them, because by Friday I had kids clambering to sit on my lap, and giggling at my faces. One of them made me a rainbow crown out of pipe cleaners that I wore for the rest of the day. I got many compliments from students and staff alike.

     I realized this week that one of the reasons I love kids is that I'm able to open myself up to them much more quickly than with people my own age. Interacting with children requires a certain amount of silliness and imagination that adults just don't get. They have an inherent joy; easily hurt, but easily restored to good spirits. They can be brutal, unforgiving, and deeply selfish, but they're also more generous, creative, and open to new ideas than most adults I know. I love my job.

*I've done other things this week than play with kids, things that brought me into the beautiful city I live in now, I promise. I'll get an update in on that in the next couple days. I didn't want to skimp on either aspect of my life, which is what would have happened if I tried to fit it all into one post. Stay tuned for week 1 as a real Prague-ian!*