I love what I do – but it is kind of a love-hate relationship with teaching. I just finished my first year as a contracted teacher and it was a rollercoaster. There are some things about my work that some people just don’t understand…Ninja especially.
My job costs money. Like really, lots of it. The costs are not ALWAYS necessary, but definitely worth each penny. It’s a job of many titles when you teach kindergarten. You are nanny, custodian, counselor, mommy, interior classroom designer, researcher, and of course, teacher. I found that spending money on certain things helped with my organization, shortened certain tasks, and just made things easier. Unfortunately, these things cost money.
In my eyes, the benefits outweigh the cost. Ninja, on the other hand didn’t (and still doesn’t) always understand how a job can actually cost us money. Simple things like a headphones for the computers, a book stand for my library, or even a GLADE scent plug-in made HUGE differences. Each purchase either solved a problem or made me more efficient. Dividing my list of things to buy into “have to haves” and “wishes” and knocking out small things one at a time is our perfect compromise.
Now, starting a new school year…after a 1,200 mile move mind you…I’m on the hunt for filling my new classroom and making it ready for the 20 little crazys I will get to meet soon. Craigseasy, Pinterest, eBay, and Sunday paper ads are my new addictions. Bookcases, rugs, books, folders, pencil boxes, bulletin boards, chart stands…the list goes ON and ON and ON. BUT, being married to a budget nazi, I have found a need to compromise. There are things that I want, but understand how backwards it is to pay out my pocket for my job and therefore I carefully pick out things that are worth paying for and then find them on sale.
As I’m reminded everyday, communication and compromise are the ingredients for a successful marriage.
Does your job cost you money? How much would you be willing to pay for work? Am I crazy for doing what I do? How do you decide what to buy and what to keep wishing for?
