Why My First Year Teaching Is Like A New TV Show

I am three months away from finishing my first solo year of teaching. Looking back September seems so long ago. I feel like I am hardly the same teacher. I came in a little over confident, but I've mellowed out a bit now, accepting I have lots too learn and also finding my voice as a teacher. 

On that note, while watching the first season of How I Met Your Mother for the hundredth time recently I noticed many similarities between my classroom and the first season. 

I don't have any pictures of my kiddos, or my classroom so you'll have to use your imagination a little bit but you're smart so I trust you can figure it out.

Everyone Looks So Young 

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Back in September we made a time capsule complete with self-portraits and lost tooth counts. Eight months later almost all of my kiddos are missing at least one of their teeth, a few are reading short books on their own and they are all getting taller (I always notice it after they've been on vacation)! They are getting so big and independent, in a few years they will be almost unrecognizable, not unlike the changes in the cast of HIMYM, they have changed a lot over 9 years. 

Questionable Fashion Sense 

Lily Photo Source // Robin Photo Source

Corduroy blazers, turtlenecks in the bar, mismatched colours and baggy pants. All rookie mistakes that don't shouldn't occur in future seasons/months! Yes, I actually wore that hot mess of an outfit, in public!

Painted Clothes Are The Norm 

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Though I've not come home with handprints on my chest (thankfully!), I have come home with paint splattered on my pants, on my shirt and on my shoes. Oh, and glitter EVERYWHERE! Even when we don't use it I somehow end up with it all over my face and clothes. 

Change Is The Only Constant

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Much like the first few episodes of How I Met Your Mother, my classroom in September was just one change after another as details were worked out. I've been trying to be as consistent as possible, but with a group change mid-month, timing changes, fire drills, and fleeting interests there is always something different happening. Watching How I Met Your Mother last night I was struck by inconsistencies like the introduction of Robin's sister only to have her barely mentioned for the next 9 seasons. Sometimes a new character needs to be tried about before committing, not unlike trying out routines, groups and activities in a Kindergarten classroom.

False Starts 

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There are many moments when I think, "Ahh I've figured it out" or "This is a breeze" only to be jolted back to reality. How I Met Your Mother does the same thing, I mean 8 seasons of introducing possible mothers, starting with Robin in Season 1. Each time I think, "Ahh, there's the mother" and 10 episodes later I realize, it was just a cruel joke, the same way every couple of weeks I think "Wow, they're really learning from me" and then the next day it's like September 1 all over again. 

There Is Always Time For Dancing 

When all else fails, a little dancing always helps. We love the International Space Station song by Chris Hadfield and anything by those annoyingly charming kidzbop kids. 

And there you have it, why my life is like How I Met Your Mother! I am sure I missed many other comparisons, or over generalized some details from the show but you catch my drift! 

Linking up with the lovely ladies at Funday Monday & Meg for Mingle Monday.

Keep Smiling :)