Middle Schooled

Spending the last eight-ish months working as a paraprofessional in a middle school has been quite the roller coaster.  My official title was Primetime Paraprofessional, Primetime being a fun and fancy name for study hall.  I was given five classes of about 13-17 students, mostly eight graders with just a handful of 7th graders.  The job was stressful, fun, frustrating, and enlightening.  I learned a lot in the past eight months.

I learned that middle schoolers are difficult.

I learned that your children most certainly are not the perfect angels you think them to be.

I learned from experience why teachers go on strike for higher pay.

I learned how it felt to go to bed hungry and mad at the world.

I learned how to work with a supportive team.

I learned that every teacher wants what is best for your child.

I learned that not every parent cares.

I learned that middle school teachers are some of the most resilient individuals.

I learned how to listen for unspoken messages.

I learned to care about each and every individual student.

I may have learned more than the kids did.

Middle school is rough.  Teenagers can be positively infuriating.  But at the end of every day, I can look back, past all the misbehavior and frustration.  I can see the love of life in the students' eyes.  I can see the light bulbs going off as students grasp a concept.  I can see the humor and love the students share.  I can see that the future is in good hands, so long as our educators stay dedicated to their students.

I'm so grateful for the time I spent as a Primetime Paraprofessional.  I can't wait to get back to it in the fall.

  

 

I Am the Perfect Housewife

I know what you're thinking: "Dude, you're a dude!"  Thanks for noticing, it really means a lot.  But if you really know me, I think you'd agree.  I am the perfect housewife.
First off, I love working with kids.  I've been mannying now for almost three years.  After being a middle school guidance counselor, my dream job would be a stay at home dad.  I understand kids and know how to work with them.  It just comes naturally to me.  A mother's instinct, if you will.
I also love to cook.  I've been doing a lot more cooking lately.  Finding new things to cook can be a lot of fun.  Some of my favorite recipes include banana bread, Cajun chicken alfredo, and chicken saag.  Chicken is my area of expertise.
And, believe it or not, I often find joy in cleaning.  Usually after I find the motivation.  I simply love the feeling of accomplishment when I see all the hard work pay off.  I also like to blast music while cleaning.  It keeps me relaxed and focused.
Although traditionally unorthodox, stay at home dads are becoming an increasingly common thing.  Men can be just as nurturing and loving as women can be.  So, although I would most like to work in a school helping kids throughout the roughest part of adolescence, I would also be alright with staying at home to raise my own children.  As a house husband.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

I haven't told you guys recently how much I love my job as a manny.  I absolutely love it!  It is the perfect job for me at this time in my life.  I have fun working with the boys.  I never know what is going to happen next.  The boys keep me entertained with their jokes and silly antics.  And their mother, my boss, is awesome!  She goes out of her way to make sure I am happy and comfortable.  She is a great listener and thoughtfully considers any ideas I may come up with for the boys.  Could it get any better than this?
I didn't always have the perfect job, though.  Before my manny job came along, I worked as a shift manager at a restaurant.  Let me tell you, that is not a dream job. I was miserable as a manager.  I was always tired and irritable.  There were only three things that made me happy.  The end of the shift, my bed, and my cat.  I was a manager for about three out of my seven years at the restaurant.  Way too long!
I've worked other jobs along the way, too.  I worked retail.  That lasted three months.  I worked at a gas station.  That lasted two weeks.  I just couldn't seem to find my happy place.  I knew I wanted to work with kids, but, as I mentioned in The Manny Diaries, child care is a tough place to be in if you are not a female.  So when I finally got hired to work with the boys, I almost immediately quit my management job.  And after some time, I noticed some changes, which my older sister just confirmed for me.  She told me that I seem happier. There are hundreds of things that make me happy, not just three.  I still get very tired after a day of chasing a 5-year old around, but I don't dread going back to work the next day.  I look forward to it.
Don't be afraid of changing jobs.  Finances are important, but I believe happiness is more important.  I am proof that doing what you love can change your outlook on life.  I went from being Scrooge (A Christmas Carol), always negative and hating everything, to Buddy (Elf), finding the good in everything and always striving to be happy.  Pass the happiness on like a disease.  That's what I try to do everyday, now.  Happiness is contagious.  Don't be afraid to catch it and share it.