Ninjas Be Gone

Like a little covert ninja, “I shouldn’t have to” sometimes sneaks into my mind. Left unchecked, one of those can easily turn into a league of stealthy little attackers determined to steal my joy at school.

Examples from this week:

“I shouldn’t have to teach them not to put a pencil into the blade cage of a running fan.”
“I shouldn’t have to teach them not to spin on their bottoms while I am reading aloud.”

“I shouldn’t have to update every child’s computer before they can take the district-mandated assessments.”

“I shouldn’t have to teach them not to throw books.”

See what I mean? And although all of those may be true, they are not helpful. When I pause, breathe, and remind myself to teach the students right in front of me, I can view these challenges as opportunities and determine how best to meet the needs.

I didn’t lose my cool when I stopped a kindergartner moments before he thrust his pencil through the fan cage. Instead, I had him watch after I turned it off, showed him the blades as they slowed down, and shared that his curiosity could really hurt him. This response went further in building a relationship with him than losing my cool ever could have, and even though I shouldn’t have to teach a child not to put a pencil in a fan, I took advantage of the opportunity to teach the child right in front of me.  

It is with complete certainty that I can guarantee you are dealing with things you shouldn’t have to. Please don’t let them steal your joy. Replace them with “Hmm, they haven’t learned that behavior yet” or “They haven’t learned that skill yet” and “I am just the person to help with that.” The truth and circumstances are the same, but the way we frame those moves us from burden to opportunity. What a difference. Little ninjas, be banished.