Monday, May 30, 2011

Ready For Summer School

Although the school year hasn't officially ended yet, I am already looking forward to summer school as well as the upcoming year. This was a rough year, no doubt. Yet I felled with the excite,ENT and promise of a new opportunity to effect students lives and teach.

I am hoping to keep my mind stayed on Christ this summer. I became a little taken with myself last year, forgetting that I teach children, young folks. I got the idea in my head that I was teaching math and that learning mathematics is the most important thing life has to offer. It is hard to find joy in teaching when the focus is on academics and not changing the lives of people in my community. I didn't think I would say this but I am actually sad that the year is ending. I can't say how much I learned from my homeroom students. Abigail's bright smile and laugh kept me going through all sorts of dilemmas and trifle tragedies. Her spirit is one of unquenchable joy. Even with a teacher standing over her, obviously upset and even more disappointed, she manages a smile and a joke. Thank you Father! But with a mind focused on doing His will, and being His hands and feet, I am sure I will do things differently. I know this because I've done so in the past. So I am trying very hard to remember to start each day on my knees and with a prayer in my heart. I am asking God to show me each day what it is that He would have me to do and say, that His might be done.

I also need to keep my practice clean and efficient. Too many times things don't get done in a timely manner because of the lack of organization that plagues our building. I am so guilty, though not nearly they only culprit, of waiting far too late to finish tasks that are much too important. Why you ask? I think it's a disease. In fact, I think I read about it somewhere. A chemical imbalance must be responsible. What else could explain that each quarter I am working way into the night, in fact, usually working until the systems kicks me out, to enter grades? There is no use pledging to do better next year. It's been twenty years now, it ain't gonna happen. If I can just enter at least one set of grades every week and grade tests no later than two days following the administration of said tested, then I am doing good.

Besides, Amy says anything you haven't graded at the end of the marking period can go in the trash.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

How do you revive your heart each day?

I am up today as I am most days at 4:45 a.m.  I need the time with the Lord to get ready for the day.  I never know how things will go in my classroom.  I must say that the personalities of the four classes I teach are vastly different.  I haven't learned to work well with the quiet students.  I need feedback and activity.  Engagement.  I think I have come to a point where my some of my students are afraid to speak up.  I think that throughout the year I have focused more on trying to teach them math and less on teaching children to my own demise.   I have to turn this around because I will likely teach these kids again next year. 

So I return to the solution I have for every problem:  pray and work. 

I know that many of my fb friends are teachers or others who work with kids.  So I am asking, "What bible verses do you use to get you through the day?" 

I do so appreciate all of the feedback on the first blog post.  Thanks for joining my conversation.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Beginning Again

This has been a difficult year for me as a teacher in a Chicago public school.  I've experienced so many new situations this year.  After teaching for over 15 years I assumed that I had seen it all.  But apparently, I am only beginning my journey.  It seems that the teaching profession is changing exponentially.  A couple of years out of the classroom has left me rusty, without patience and less tolerant than I've ever been.  I find myself praying, more fervently, more often.  Far too many days leave me flustered. 

I teach math to middle school students.  Challenging, but fun, and it can be very rewarding.  My homeroom students are a saving grace.  They are intelligent, funny, maturing young adults but not mannish.  I love them so much.  It brings a smile to my face to just think about them, the things they say, their emerging personalities and wit.  But it is a middle school, so I teach a few other classes as well.  Developing relationships with the other 90 students that I teach is difficult.  I haven't had the time and maybe I haven't put forth the effort needed and it shows. 

But now is my time to rejuvenate.  The year is not over yet and there is always next year, if I am so blessed to have a job teaching.  There is much I would love to change, love for God to change, within me.  I know there is a purpose behind the experiences I've had this year.  And as I prayed this morning the thought came to me.  I am turning into one of those teachers that I despised when I entered the profession.  The ones that are mean to kids.  The ones that don't give two hundred percent everyday and then come to work on Saturday too.  Teaching is more than hard work and we all know it.  My mom would say, "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen."  Well, I like it warm so I am staying in the kitchen.  I have faith that things will get better, the Lord has begun a good work in me and He will finish it.  I am willing and able and I can rejuvenate myself and my career.  And there may be others who feel the same way.  Maybe we can support each other, pray for each other, offer ideas and suggestions to keep this thing going.  The thought came to me this morning that maybe I could start a blog that would connect teachers who need to be rejuvenated, everyday.

I choose not to be one of those teachers.  I am staying on the right side of the fence.  I am going to teach everyday until I leave the classroom, and teach with everything I have.  I have learned however the importance of putting God first.  I recognize that my husband is my most important human relationship.  I know that the children I gave birth to are more important to me than the children in my classroom.  Though I love them all.  So maintaining balance will be a challenge.  But how many of you know that the Lord will multiply the hours in the day, just for you?  How many know that you can sleep for four hours and wake up with the Lord's energy to take on the day?  I am sure I can do this.  

Wanna come along for the ride?