My Loud Voice

I am usually a calm person, and in my classroom, I am calmer than usual.

Today, I was talking with the other ISP teacher, and my littlest one decides to pick that moment to start punching me. I waited for dearest Michael to step in. Then, I lost it!! I used my *loud* voice and told the child to stop punching Ms Momley Teacher!! The child was shocked and so were the other staff, including Michael. No one had heard *that* voice before. The child literally ran away from me, and Michael went to ask her if she was okay and if she needed a break. The child was astute enough to decline his offer. I couldn't have been prouder of her at that moment in time.

A few minutes later, we did our quick check-in with Zones. For the 1st time, I chose to be in Blue and said that I was tired ... I didn't accurately share that I was emotionally and mentally super tired! (If they had been reading this blog, they would have already known that!)

Then, I looked at the child and asked her what she did and how she was feeling. She admitted to punching me and being in the Blue Zone. Then, she spent the rest of the day being her best self. She was kind to everyone including students from the other classroom whom she cannot stand ... she likes to wipe everything they touch in our classroom with disinfectant wipes!

So, the day started on a tough note ... but got better. I realized that Michael is not an issue; if he is, then that is allowing me to find the strength that I did not know I had. Last week, Michael took a day off. No one picked up his job; but I wasn’t worried. I was confident I could manage. However, my principal got our SNA (Special Needs Assistant) to check in on me throughout the school day and provide support as needed.

Today, my principal dropped by to check in on me. Once again, I let her know how much I love my job. She told me that I should take a day off if I need to. She said it is important that I take care of my mental health. What?! Is she reading this blog?! … Am I that loud?!