Breathe

Before I left school for Christmas vacation, I told a co-worker I was excited to go on break so I could breathe. She looked at me a little confused until I explained it meant I wanted to relax. I had been so wrapped up in school and holiday activities, I couldn’t remember the last time I sat and did nothing.

While I was on vacation, I had the opportunity to work on a writing project. With a soon approaching deadline, I had to switch from teacher mode to full blown writer mode. Although this required a lot of work, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me because it reminded me of something: I’m not just a teacher.

I consider it a privilege to be able to have a job that I also feel is my calling for the moment, and it has become a lot of my identity. Submerging myself in my writing the past two weeks has helped me remember that it’s not my only one. I’m also a writer, a sister, a daughter…a child of God.

In order to be a better teacher in 2014 I need to remember my other identities. Teaching is a rewarding profession, but like any job, if you let it consume you, it can leave you drained. And who wants an overtired teacher who’s only keeping her eyes open because she’s drank 3 cups of coffee that morning? Not this lady. And probably not the kids either.

I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, but I do want to start my year differently. I want to be able to breathe. With prayer and determination I move forward to be a better time manager, to be more organized, and to mentally leave school at the end of the day.

What are you doing differently this year?

Bust

Conversation of the Day:

Me: Read the word. (bust)

Student: Bu…

Me: Bu…s

Student: Bus!

Me: Bus…t

Student: Buts!

Me: Bust

Student: Buts!

Me: Bust

Student (running around screaming): Buts! Buts!

Me: That’s close enough.

The Little Red Hen keeps her hands to herself.

Quote of the Day

Me: What is the central message in The Little Red Hen?  It teaches us to…

Marvin: Keep our hands to ourselves

Conversation  of the Day

Me: I want to remind you that tomorrow our homework is due.

Tina: the zoo!

(Students all start getting excited and talking about animals they see at the zoo.)

Me (after several moments): I said “Our homework is due.” Due means you have to bring it in.

And I wonder if they listen to me…

We draw on paper, not rugs.

Well Harold got himself into a pinch again. The debacle started when I noticed green highlighter drawn in wide strides in, of course, the yellow squares of the rug. “Who sits in yellow?” I asked to myself as well as the class, pointing at the unsightly green markings on our classroom rug. Two candidates were named, Harold and we’ll call the other one Bruce. I quickly pulled out the tests we had been correcting. Bruce’s had indeed green highlighter and Harold had nothing, which means we were doing something else to fill our time. I called Harold and Bruce over and our conversation went like this.

Me: Who drew on the carpet with green highlighter?

(They both point at each other.)

It was at this point I noticed something very helpful to the case, green highlighter all over Harold’s leg.

Me: Harold, you have green highlighter all over your leg.

Harold: I had a yellow marker.

So I got real close to his little face.

Me: You have green highlighter all over your leg so don’t try to tell me you didn’t have a green marker.

(He just stares at me.)

Me: Now who drew on the carpet with green highlighter?

(Harold puts his head down.)

Harold: I did.

Me: This is very serious so you’re going to have to go talk to the principal about it later.

Velcro shoelaces

Do you ever wonder if the kids wake up some days thinking, “How can I push my teacher’s buttons today?”  Such was the feeling when I had a shoe tying straggler down the sidewalk.  We’ll call him Harold for all purposes.  Now Harold was tying his shoes for five million hours and when the last of my students were entering the classroom, I forcefully stated to Harold that shoe tying time was over.  Well, he started walking towards the classroom and when his shoes got into plain view, I burst out in dismay, “You don’t even have shoelaces!”  Such is life and such is the fact that Velcro shoes need ample shoe tying time.

Oceans

I love teaching kids.  I love finding creative approaches to lessons, seeing that light bulb moment on a student’s face, and of course those silly moments when a kid says or does something that just makes you break down laughing.  I have had a couple of those moments this year, but I’ve also had a lot of challenges.  It’s been 6 weeks, and feeling completely drained I’ve been struggling with the thought “I can’t do this.”  Well, I’m right. I can’t do this, but God reminded me during worship this morning that it’s not just me doing this.  We’re doing this.

“Oceans” by Hillsong United

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

So I’m calling upon His name this week.

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.  About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.  When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Matthew 14:24-33 NLT

 

Like Peter, I’ve started to sink, but I’m reaching out and I know God is going to not only catch me, but pull me up on top of the waters.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

The waters are my classroom and the waves are five million and one things but when you your feet fail, call upon His name and He’ll be there.  Well, He’s always there, you’ll just remember to take His hand.

Vampires at school?

Quote of the Day:
(In response to students playing and screaming)

I think they're scared of vampires.