Mosquitos

#Kinderblog 2012  Question numero trois!
Tell us about your pet peeves. Do it however you want: write a list of 50 things that drive you crazy, or an essay about just one thing, or story combining several things, or write a song, or some limericks, or an epic poem. A photo essay! A slideshow! Video journalism! Stand up comedy! The sky is the limit, just tell us what grinds your teeth as a teacher (or an administrator, or a program director, or in whatever capacity you are joining this challenge.) (Yeah, parentheses again. I think I need an intervention.) Be careful: your blog is public, and you never know who is reading. Be positive and professional, but tell the truth. You can do it.

So this question was a bit of a challenge for me to write about.  I am a very positive, laid back person and I rarely get my "feathers ruffled".  So it was a bit of a stretch for me to think about things that drive me crazy.  I like to think that I am in control of myself and my actions and can only hope to influence others through our interactions.  But, I have to be honest with myself.  There are a few little "mosquitos" that pester me from time to time.  So here goes:

1.  It bugs me when people are labeled, especially children.  I cringe when people say "that ADHD boy" or that "Sped girl".  First and foremost, they are people.  That boy may have ADHD, but that is not all that child is.  Let's remember that fact and keep the person in mind - not simply the label.

2.  It bugs me when I ask someone how their day is going and they respond "I am tired".  I am sorry you are tired, but there is not much I can do for you.  Please don't let it affect your day.  Find a way to power through and do the best you can with you have in your tank that day - I just don't need to know you are tired.  Trust me, with 3 kids (one is 10 weeks old), odds are I am probably tired as well but I am not going to let it show and neither should you.

3.  It bugs me when people use developmentally appropriate practices as a crutch.  During my first year as a principal, a teacher came to me and said "I don't think that is developmentally appropriate for kindergarten."  After talking it over with her, my response was "so you are telling me that not one child can benefit from that?"  Often times, people throw the phrase "developmentally appropriate" around and use it to refer to an entire group.  If we are truly working to educate each and every child, then we have to be willing to look at each child and know what he/she needs to be successful.  Just because it might not be a DAP for all the children, does not mean that it could not benefit one child so don't just discard the idea.

4.  It bugs me when people say "two thousand and twelve".  Maybe that is the math nerd in me but there is no "and" in the number.  It is simply "two thousand twelve".  I know, I know - that is weird but it just bugs me for some strange reason!

That is all because I don't want to go on and on... like I said, I am really easy going and laid back.  However, these are my "final four"  of mosquitos that pester me.