Teaching and KSL

I adore teaching. I love spending my days with such charming little people who are such examples of sweetness. Yes, teaching is hard. It uses everything I've got and on some days it uses even more than I thought I had. But, I love it. I love so many things about it : seeing the lightbulb turn on, seeing smiles every morning, getting hugs and high fives all throughout the day, when kids are sincere in the kind things they say, when students make friends and use skills they have learned to be nice and interact, when we have a successful day with no fights or very limited fights (ha!), when a face lights up because I have told someone they are the smartest kid in the world, when I choose favorites and the favorite keeps changing all throughout the day and the kids know that they are each my favorite and I love them all, I even love when someone has a melt down and throws chairs or swear words around because I love the teaching and learning that comes from that situation and I love the growth I see the students make every.single.day.

Even with all of that love, teaching is just plain hard. There are days that definitely beat me. There are more days where I come home exhausted from a long days work. There are days (all of them) where I miss Claire and her sweet little self fiercely. There are days that are emotionally challenging and I cry because of things that happen. But I still love it.

Sometimes in teaching, there are even things that happen that make you cry because of the kind words that others have said about you. I had one of those moments about a month ago. I heard from a teacher at my school that I was announced as KSL's teacher feature. I had no idea what she was talking about or what it even meant. I had to google it. Apparently, teachers in Utah state are nominated for this award and chosen from a number of people to receive it. I had no idea who had nominated me for such an award and was touched to read the nomination letter when it was put up online. I want to remember this for when I have one of those hard teaching moments. People are kind. Teaching is great. I'm grateful I get to spend my days teaching. 

"I met Carolyn Hirz a few years ago when she joined our Special Education team as a teacher for children with behavior disorders at Amelia Earhart Elementary. During the years that I have known her, I have been continually impressed with her amazing ability to work with children who have problems managing their own behavior. Students who cannot succeed in their neighborhood schools are placed in Carolyn's classroom. These children have displayed a variety of behavior concerns—from refusing to comply and do the work needed to learn to more significant acts of verbal and physical aggression.

Carolyn faces each new challenge with the determination to make a difference in the child's life. And she does! Through consistency, humor and a genuine love, she is able to teach the students how to manage their own behavior. Many of her students have returned to their neighborhood schools with the skills they need to be successful.

One example of this is a young boy who threw a computer into the smart board at his school. He came to Carolyn's class full of anger and ready to hurt anyone who tried to work with him. Carolyn was patient, kind and fair in her dealings with this young boy and he soon came to trust her. Within a year's time, he was ready to return to his neighborhood school.

Carolyn is relatively new to the teaching profession. For someone so young she demonstrates the knowledge and skill level of a more experienced teacher. Carolyn works with some of the most difficult children in the district and makes it look surprisingly easy. She is truly worthy of recognition and the honor of being a "featured teacher".

--Shauna Raby"