Cute Post.

I'm nosy. Usually when I find a blog friend, within a few months I've at least visited all of his or her friends to see what they're like. I had some time and was snooping about a bit today. Here's an excerpt from a post I visited today:

"Today I experienced a really dark side of being a teacher. People who are not teachers really do not fully understand just how difficult it is to be 'on' for an entire day. In order to be an effective teacher you really need to project a calm, exciting attitude about learning in order to coax the most out of your students. I know at least with middle school students, it is impossible to bluff being in a good mood - if you are having an off day, they know it.

So I hope I do not shatter the image of teachers being super-human beings with these mythical powers of greatness but from time to time, we have off days and are just not in the mood to teach. As much as we love what we do, there are those days that when a student justs asks a simple, valid question, you just want to scream."

Well, bless this semi-anonymous middle school teacher because it's not a job I'd want!! If I have a bad day at home, I don't have to hide it and la la la pretend. I'm *Mom,* and Mom can have a bad day. You can have a bad day at home, too. It happens. But I'm far too blunt, and far too likely to say exactly what I'm thinking to keep a job like "public school teacher." Oh, just the thought is a joke. I'd even be kicked out of a Christian school in a heartbeat, I'm sure.

I have several issues with administration, stupidity in funding, governmental intervention and curriculum. (I'm sure I left something out, but that about covers it.) For the most part, I haven't had many issues with the teachers themselves. True, I've had more issues to work out with teachers than administrators over the years, but when you think of "number of interactions" and "number of confrontations," and compare the two as pertains these two groups, teachers win with the lower ratio. Aside from the easy hours with medical benefits, and the school schedule... and tenure... and job security... well, aside from those things I can't see why anyone would want to be a teacher. Just seeing how much kleenex those guys have to go through in their classrooms ALONE should dissuade prospective teachers.

I wish there were some way to thank Patrick and G's teachers without sending notes (they'll think I'm stalking them or looking for a great grade, right??) or sending gifts worth $25 each (x 8 teachers per kid, bus drivers and paras... ouch, that can't happen on my income). One time I had a brilliant idea and sent flowers from my garden and found out later the teacher was allergic. Yeah, I'm a winner! Just a good thing I didn't send anything with peanuts in it, I guess...

It isn't really the thought that counts, because I'm not very socially adept at expressing my thoughts (see above). But I do appreciate what the teachers are doing for my children.