I Know Where the Wild Things Are

The adventures of an educator

I found them, in all of their wonderfully wild glory. Or maybe, they found me. I should probably explain. Two years ago, I stepped back into the classroom as a high school teacher. I entered jaded and wounded, frustrated and weary of educational leaders as I had been run over, repeatedly, by the proverbial bus previous leaders had thrown me under.

It had been over a decade since I had stood before a classroom of students, having to deal with lesson plans, discipline, parent contacts, and “building relationships” with teenagers. Yet, there I stood, finishing a master’s degree program, in a new building surrounded by new people, and young eyes looking at me for guidance.

I wish I could say the transition went smoothly. I really wish I could say that. Thankfully, I was placed on an extraordinary team overflowing with some of the most amazing humans you could ever know. Thankfully, one of the campus leaders was a college friend, and someone I trusted implicitly (and will until the end of time). And in the midst of the new and the adjusting and remembering some of those children just did not know how to behave, I found myself laughing, every single day.

One of the most challenging classes I had was filled with sophomore boys who all seemed to be on ADHD meds that wore off by the time they arrived in my room. Most days I did not know whether I should strangle them, ground them, or hug them. Then one day, it clicked. I adjusted my approach while continuing to expect them to act like decent human beings. We talked openly and honestly. When they acted like jerks, I told them. When they thought I was being mean, they told me. We found our footing on honest ground.

That class inspired many Facebook posts that year because the stories were too funny not to share. Some of the things that flowed from the mouths of these babes were just too wild to not share. And share I did.

Knowing I have written and published some books, they suggested I write my next book about them and added it would be okay if I kept all the royalties since I had to put up with them all year (how generous). Instead of a book, I am going to share some of these stories here.

Why?

Because there is so much chaos and negativity in the world, especially in the world of education, I want you to know there are amazing things happening in classrooms. In spite of what you hear, there are educators showing up every single day and having fun, laughing with students while following a curriculum, preparing them for state tests, and managing a multitude of other things throughout the day.

Mainly, I have realized those wild things (people), and the ones who came after them, healed parts of me and have reminded me of the absolute beauty of watching others become exactly who they are meant to be.

Yes, I found the wild things in room 1219 in a small west Texas town, and they are magnificent.