The Seattle gray of late autumn/winter seems to have settled in. The last of the leaves have spots of reddish-oranges at the edges of them. A day at home stitching and watching the crows swoop and caw through the rain.
I've meant to share stories about school this year in the art room, but it's a blur. Around 500 children come through the room Mondays through Wednesdays. I can't remember most of their names. Each classroom is there for half an hour, with five to ten minutes between. It is constant. I help with prep, pass things out, read aloud to them while they work, and roam the room helping to keep them on task. If there is a struggling student, and attention will help, I sit down next to them, trying to model the lesson while engaging in de-escalating or refocusing conversation.
It's a very different role- not being in charge of anything, or responsible for outcomes, and for the most part stepping out of behavior issues, leaving it in the hands of the head teacher. I hear from her, and others, that she is more relaxed and enjoying teaching again. It's good to feel useful. I do miss the deeper connections that come from working with the same children all day, every day. At the same time, there is a mental and emotional rest that's happening. We'll see how it goes . . .
