School started for me this week. I teach at a year 'round school, so our kids piled off school buses and out of cars Monday. It is so hard to believe that this is year 25 for me. So much in education has changed, returned to the same spot, changed, returned to the same spot, etc. It gets frustrating at times because people that try to drive the education train know little to nothing about the development of children. Test scores are the high priority for those on the outside looking in. It is sad but encouraging that "most" of those that step to the front of a classroom daily DO know, love, enjoy and understand children. I have often been asked in interviews WHY did I want to become a teacher. I still shake my head and laugh at that question. Teaching isn't a choice. It isn't a job. It's a calling. "True" teachers do it because God has chosen us to do it. Thus the reason for the Bible verse above. I have to remember every single day that I am in my classroom because God has put me there. He is my boss and any and all success I have in my classroom is because of Him.
Here are a few pictures from my week...
I am starting with Blake's football practice jersey. The first time I washed it I noticed the scripture on the back next to the word "Battle." I wasn't familiar with Nehemiah 4: 14, so I looked it up. The commentary on the verse says, "Though vigilant, armed and ready, Nehemiah and those he led consistently gave God the glory for their victories and construction successes." And, yes, my son attends a public school. "Yeah" to a coaching staff that teaches more than just offensive and defensive plays.
I feel okay sharing this picture of one of my students this year since his face is obviously covered. I was reading to the children waiting to dismiss them to go home when I looked down and saw this image. At first I thought he had his book sack on top of his head. Then I saw his hands moving and realized he was ZIPPING HIS HEAD IN HIS BACK PACK!! I couldn't help it; I had to get a picture. It is for the book I am writing that is entitled "You Wouldn't Believe It Unless You Saw It." Believe it or not, it is silly things like this that make me enjoy my job. Sure at the end of a long day, this was not something I wanted to address (You know the lesson: Why you shouldn't zip your head in your book bag. I am SURE that is somewhere in my book of state standards. HA!) However, it is the silly moments like this that make me thankful I don't work in a place that is boring. Trust me! My job is never boring and never the same day twice.
This picture makes me laugh so hard. I promise teachers at our school do NOT look like this while we are teaching. This was a shot of a few coworkers during our first faculty meeting after our first day with students. All I can say is thank you God for chairs with some padding and a back to it. I just love these people and the hearts they have for children.
Just a shot of a couple of tired friends getting cake and ice cream as a pick-me-up after the first day with children. We needed something to get us to our vehicles. Yes, a teacher really is THAT tired at the end of the day, but it is a good kind of tired. (Our school also received its report card grade from the district and we were doing a mini celebration. I can't share it because it is embargoed. I'll share in another post what hard work and true dedication can do for a school!)
This is my "office" floor at home. I was sorting through a few back-to-school lessons. The floor beside my bed looks about the same except things are in stacks. I tend to work in bed after the Roosters are asleep.
A harvest from the garden. My bushes are starting to look sad. I guess they are telling me that their work is done. I had the best tomatoes this year.
I saw these in the grocery store the last time I was there and thought I would try them. I've had them on my countertop all week waiting for an evening when I wasn't too tired and felt like baking them. They are still on my counter. Hopefully I'll get around to making them this weekend. My family needs something for breakfast this coming week. And, yes, I am THAT kind of mother.
I've decided to do this Bible study on my own. I just finished a study on James with a women's group at Shandon. It was wonderful. I keep checking our church's website for a fall study that "speaks" to me but none have been posted yet. So, while I am waiting, I decided to do this one on my own. You can order the lesson videos for $4.99 through LifeWay. You basically listen to the lesson video and each night you complete your homework. It is several weeks long, so my plan is to listen to the lesson video each Monday evening and then work on my homework for the week and be ready for the next video the following Monday. I selected this study because I know very little about Gideon and the title "Your Weakness; God's Strength" spoke to me.
So, this has been my week. I am one tired soul, but I know things will level out soon and I'll have a battle rhythm set and the tiredness will ebb to some degree. Let's face it, at 46 tiredness will only ebb so far.
(Added thought: Please forgive my posts b/c I do not edit them at all. I just write and then cringe when I reread my posts b/c of all the grammar mistakes I've made. However, like I tell my kids, it is journaling--just write.)
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