Yes, it’s a strange title for a blog, but there’s a reason behind these words. I’m a high school English teacher. I also teach creative writing. Teaching is a wonderful job, for the most part. As a teacher I constantly challenge myself in new directions, laugh with my students, and honestly feel that I’m making a difference in many lives. And yet, there are days when it all seems too much. High school students can act like big kids. Well, in actuality, they really are big kids. And here is where the title for this blog comes into play.
One of my creative writing classes is comprised of a challenging group of students. They’re not the most focused individuals and not as skilled when it comes to writing as I would like them to be. The class is scheduled at the end of the day, which as any teacher knows is never easy.
It was a Friday and the students were having a difficult time staying on task. Helene, a very endearing and delightfully quirky student, motioned for me to come to her desk. “Just lie on the floor, Mrs. Wood. That will get their attention.” Well, the comment was so off the wall that I had to laugh. And yes, I admit that the idea fleetingly crossed my mind for a split second, but then good common sense prevailed.
As I later thought about Helene’s remark, I realized that we all just need to “lie down on the floor” at times. The English teacher in me sees this phrase as a metaphor to lighten up when things seem to close in on us. All of us can feel overwhelmed with jobs, families, and other responsiblities that come with life. Often, it seems like the burden weighs too heavily on our shoulders. This is when we figuratively (not literally, or maybe literally) need to take time out to “lie on the floor,” regroup, and move on.
This is why I enjoy teaching. I never know what my students will say to me. Every day is different . Little do they realize how much they teach me.
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i use a combo of shea butter and aloe vera moisturizer. Works great. I use shea butter on my lips, around my eyes and nose (dry areas), My father swears by vasoline.
p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
I teach too… Thanks for the posting…. And every night I get on the floor and stretch with some yoga to unknot myself….you sound like a gifted teacher… Keep going. Jack in the beanstalk
One of my son’s teachers actually jumped up in the air… that one got their attention! Sometimes those “off the wall” things, when you do something completely out of character, really work. I love the metaphor though… and you sound like you have a tremendous amount of patience. Kids can be tough!
God bless you…teachers are amazing
I thought that I was impressed by elementary school teachers, since I have spent many years as a parent to three children, volunteering in their elementary school. The 2009-2010 school brought a middle-schooler and since I’m not working and you have mandatory hours to put in, I volunteered in one of his classes. My hands go up and hat goes off to middle school teachers. (I can wait to see the high school the high school teachers!) There is absolutely no way I could do that job without going to jail in the first month of school! My son’s art/science teacher still manages to speak in a calm voice even when repeating herself to same kid over and over again! Wow is all I could say to that.
Lie on the floor….I have a total knee in one leg and a bad knee on the other so getting on and off of the floor can be a bit daunting for me…but I totally get it! Sometimes you just need to remove yourself the best way you know how from all of the outside drama. Just get some down time, reagardless of how short that time may be. I won’t do the floor probably but I can see me on the bed in a dark room with nothing on…sign on my door to not even disturb me and just breathe for a minute or two. Great Article!