So "they" say your third year of teaching is the best! That's the year you get it all together. You've learned the ropes, and now you teach. Whoever "they" are, they let me down. I ventured into the toughest year in my short teaching career in year three. It was not a charm, jewel, or a cruise. Thus far it has been rocky, painful, and discouraging. The good news is, God has had a plan in it all, and I'm certain I've yet to see the best.
He has certainly used this year as a learning and molding experience. The best part was finally letting go and letting Him. He had his big, God-sized arms wide open ready to carry me. Through it all, He reminded me to be thankful for a few things. I've no doubt He has me in this career, location, and time of life for a reason. Your Job Your job is important. You stand before multiple lives that get to be influenced by you- daily. While at times it doesn't feel like it, you are very influential in each child's life. There have been two recent occasions that I was out and public, and I overheard children talking about their teachers. I couldn't help but eavesdrop, and I was quite amazed how they had so much good to talk about and how engaged they were in the conversation. The hugs, the smiles, and the love you offer matter. For some children that is the only affection they receive. Your classroom may be the most stable part of a child's day or even life. For some, your love is just an extra dose of the blessing of life they get to experience. For all of them, you may be the vessel God uses to influence their lives. Your job is important and so are you. Co-Workers It's truly amazing how in the hustle and bustle of a school day (Yes, it's true. Despite popular belief we actually don't color and make crafts all day.) we get caught in our own little world of me. There are so many people that make a school go round, and I find myself stuck on what I need to do, haven't done, can't make happen, and the exercise that will be put off until tomorrow because of the to do list that continues to grow and the paper stack that is starting to look like a monster. What if there weren't custodians. special education teachers, administration. instructional coaches, cafeteria workers, PE coaches, secretaries, nurses, teachers to share resources, hurts, and joys with, and the many others that make a school day happen? That scary stack of papers would be unfathomable if I had to teach a child an instrument, how to play basketball (motor skills are important y'all), and then speak with someone at central office about text books. I just couldn't do it. The number of days I've had to sit down and laugh or cry with another teacher about the way a day has gone would be a task to count. The times another teacher's resources or ideas saved my class from a misconception is quite impressive. I'm certain as some point in every school history, co-workers have spatted, disagreed, and (gasp) gossiped about each other. While all of those things seem like the "right" thing to do at the time, let us remember how much we need each other. No one can relate to your work day quite like a co-worker who experiences it with you. Remember to lift your co-workers up. Throughout a school day, teachers get plenty of tearing down from students, parents, or the worst critics of all- ourselves (everything actually doesn't have to be Pinterest perfect *note to self). We are a team, and we should work together. It's like a family at work. The diversity that comes together in a school faculty is a beautiful thing. We all have great things to share and learn from each other. Parents Don't take them for granted. They come in all shapes, forms, and sizes. You have the "helicopter" parents that hover so close you can smell what they ate for dinner. Then there's the "my child does no wrong" parent. Then we have the "too busy for my child" parent. Then there are parents who are almost completely absent from their child's lives. Then there are the parents who encourage their child and you. There are the parents who take things home to cut, glue, fold, and separate. There are the parents who say thank you. There are the parents who speak life about you in front of their children. There are the parents who pray for you. And at the end of the day, it's important to remember no matter what parent you're dealing with, that parent is why you have the blessing (ok so some days they don't exactly seem like blessings- look I'm just speaking the truth) of their child in your classroom. For the parent who doesn't participate much in their child's life, how wonderful it is that you get to be a light that child doesn't have! For the parent who hovers, how wonderful to have a parent that cares so much! For the parent who adores you, well isn't that such a blessing. (Lord, God help me remember these revelations tomorrow when I walk in my classroom and desire to lose it on someone. And all know that strength can only come from You.- I'm just saying.) All kidding aside, parents are important. They clearly play a vital part the life of that child you're trying to help learn math facts, to read, or simply how to be kind to the person standing beside them in line. Remember, no one knows that child like they do, and if you do want to make a difference, they're a great resource.
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Saved by God's amazing grace and living this divinely put together puzzle of a beautiful life He so graciously blessed. Archives
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