First is Best Yes, I teach the first grade. Where else would a handsome and very young man put his arms around me and ask, "Do you know that I love you?" Where else would I tie so many hair ribbons and belts and daily get to see a style show of pretty dresses and shirts? Where else could I wear the same dress day after day and be told each time that it is pretty? Where else could I walk up and down aisles and have warm hands touch me? Where else could I have the privilege of wiggling loose teeth and receive a promise that I may pull them when they are loose enough? Where else could I eat a soiled piece of candy from a grimy little hand and not get ill? (I have to eat it because he watches to see that I do.) Where else would the future look as bright as it does amid an energetic group to whom nothing is impossible? Where else could I guide the first letter formations of a chubby little hand that may some day write a book or an important document? Where else could I forget my own aches and pains because of so many cut fingers, scratched knees, bumped heads and broken hearts that need care? Where else could I forget taxes and even "the state of the nation" because Stevie isn't grasping reading as he should and other methods must be tried? Where else would my mind have to stay so young as with a group whose attention span is so short that I must always keep a "bag of tricks up my sleeve"? Where else could I feel so close to my Maker as I do each year when, because of something I have done, little children learn to read? Yes, I do teach the first grade, Mr. and Mrs. America. And I love it! by Mrs. Janet Gorell Meyer

"I Teach" ~I teach because there is a great fulfillment that comes in working with boys and girls. ~I teach because I wanted to be a sculptor, and I can do so, by shaping lives for the future. ~I teach because I wanted to be an artist, and I can do so, by painting dreams for children. ~I wanted to be a musician, and I can, in giving inspiration to children. ~I teach because I wanted to be a historian, and I can in having recorded something for the lives of great men to come. ~I teach because I wanted to be a poet, and I can in writing impressive passages of mankind. ~I teach because of the reward I receive when a child's frown turns to smiles, or when he/she says, "Now I understand." ~I teach because of the personal growth I receive each day as I venture out on a quest for knowledge and techniques to help my students understand. ~I teach for it is in this where I can see the worthwhile and true fulfillment of living. ~Author Unknown~

Children's ABC Children Are: Amazing........acknowledge them Believable........ trust them Childlike........allow them Divine........ honor them Energetic........ nourish them Fallible........embrace them Gifts........ treasure them Here now........ be with them Innocent........ delight with them Joyful........appreciate them Kindhearted........ learn from them Lovable........cherish them Magical........ fly with them Noble........ esteem them Open minded........respect them Precious........value them Questioners........encourage them Resourceful........ support them Spontaneous........ enjoy them Talented........believe in them Unique........ affirm them Vulnerable........ protect them Whole........ recognize them Xtra special........ celebrate them Yearning........ notice them Zany........laugh with them ~author unknown

A Box of Crayons   While walking in a toy store the day before today, I overheard a crayon box with many things to say. "I don't like red!" said yellow. And green said, "Nor do I!" And no one here likes orange, but no one knows quite why." "We are a box of crayons that really doesn't get along," said blue to all the others "something here is wrong!" Well, I bought that box of crayons and took it home with me and laid out all the crayons so the crayons could all see. They watched me as I colored with red and blue and green and black and white and orange and every color in between. They watched as green became the grass and blue became the sky. The yellow sun was shining bright on white clouds drifting by. Colors changing as they touched, becoming something new. They watched me as I colored. They watched till I was through. And when I'd finally finished, I began to walk away. And as I did the crayon box had something more to say... "I do like red!" said the yellow and green said, "So do I!" "And blue you are terrific so high up in the sky." "We are a box of crayons each of us unique, but when we get together the picture is complete." Now if we could just learn from this box of crayons  this world would be a better place. Shane DeRolf

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