MY "CHILD" PRAYS FOR ME!

A most amazing thing happened just now. I was just wrapping up my preparations for school and the phone rang. There on the other end was my "little girl", all grown up and ready to head off to teach a college class, saying, "Hi Mom. I called to pray for your day." WOW! What a joy to have my "child" identify with my frustrations of trying to find the balance of how to be a loving, kind, compassionate teacher and yet firm in demanding respect and self-control from my students! She has "been there and done that" and I know her heart knows the dilemma of my own. I feel empowered to face this day! Thanks, Sweetie, for blessing me with a prayer!

Love,
Mom

TAKING SUGGESTIONS FROM OUR CHILDREN?

It is so hard to believe that my children are now grown adults .... PARENTS ... who have experience in this wild work-a-day world and actually know things that we (the parents) don't know! WOW! It boggles my mind.

I never dreamed that one day my daughter could teach me how to be a better, more effective teacher by sharing things she has learned in HER short lifetime of teaching thus far. It is so AWESOME! And I trust her advice and suggestions more than any other teacher's.

Well, tomorrow I planned on beginning my first ever behavior control/management program in my classroom but, after talking to Sunshine tonight, I believe I can make it through another day as I look forward to receiving an email from her with a plan she used that proved very successful. Lord, help me through tomorrow ...

CHILDREN ARE UNPREDICTABLE!

Well, I thought I had my students under control after I gave them assigned seats on their second day in my class. I have never done that before in all my teaching career but it was either that or go insane! Well, the rest of that day was "heavenly" ... Well, at least close to that .. I just try to count my blessings. Then, yesterday, we were back to "rowdiness". I may have to change assigned seats at least every other day ... Who knows?

What causes a once "nice" child to suddenly go "out of control" on a given day. I had that happen with one of my students yesterday. He is a fun-loving, talkative, active little fellow. Once I got him assigned to a seat away from another instigator he did great. Then, yesterday, he was out of control and eventually led to punishment with the response of screaming in anger. I can't help but wonder what may have happened at home that set him off. Do parents realize how their actions and reactions to each other and their children will set the mood for the type of day they will have?

Well, I got up at 5:45 this morning, walked and talked with the Lord for 45 minutes, and am determined to have a good day. Lord, help me to give my students the love and understanding they need ... to be able to look, past their outward actions, to the heart that beats within them and nurture those hearts to their fullest potential. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" (Philippians 4:13)

HEAVEN, HELP ME! A CLASSROOM FULL OF ORNERY BOYS!!!!


Today was my first day with my actual Kindergarten class I will be teaching this year. 25 children with 16 of them being boys ... and at least 5-6 ornery, active, talkative ... LOUD ... boys! My aide was pulled from my room to fill out paper work for the office during the morning when I needed her most ... I thought I was going to lose it! I felt so "out of control". It sure is a good thing I had an easy year with only 16 students last year ... otherwise I might have retired today with only 18 years of service! (smile)

Well, my principal came through for me and someone called in some extra "troops" to help me through about 45 minutes in the afternoon ... Then I felt I started getting back in control of the situation. I know it will be all right .. It's just this "training" time where the students test to discover my boundaries is going to be tough.

I rode my bike to take my hubby some water for his long run tonight after school. I don't know how he does it. I was whooped from riding my bike that far in the heat. He told me my "fatigue" is not from my morning exercise and/or the afternoon bike ride. I knew he was right. It is from the stress of this class I have to teach this year. If I wasn't exercising I probably would be far worse off since exercising always seems to lift my spirits.


Well, off to be at 9:30 AM so I can "rise and shine" and prepared for my little "angels" in children's clothing. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) This too shall pass .....

RELAXATION BECAME A REALITY!

Labor Day weekend was a much needed and greatly enjoyed "runaway" for both my husband and I. We didn't have to go far (only about 45 minutes) but we truly enjoyed our time at Conneaut Lake Park and the "DoWopp Weekend". We met lots of new friends, saw over 300 classic cars and trucks, laughed over some of the "fun" events like the hoola hoop contest and enjoyed lots of good music and dancing! We even found time to just lay out on the lawn under a shade tree in the middle of the afternoon and take a nap! We visited a real nice church on Sunday morning and took a nice walk to a restaurant to eat. We both came back home refreshed.

Then, Monday afternoon, we were blessed with a visit from our son, daughter-in-law, and grandbaby Halle. She is now 2&1/2 months old and even more beautiful than her pictures. It was such a blessing to be able to hold her and help care for her. She smiles a lot more than most babies her age. It was so good to have a day or so to enjoy our kids. We are so blessed to have children that make that special effort to see us. It is not easy with their busy schedules, as well as ours, but I so appreciate them working it in. Thanks James and Kelly! You are AWESOME! We love you SO much.

FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL ALMOST COMPLETE!

Tomorrow will be the last day for our first Kindergarten Screening Week. We had 28 of the 55 enrolled Kindergarten children this week. Next week we will have the other 27. It looks like my class will have anywhere from 26-28 students and I would estimate that at least half of them will qualify for Title 1. This will be a great adjustment for me since I had my smallest class ever last year of only 16 students. It will be quite a challenge for me to try to help the Title 1 kids get the extra help they will need while I try to enrich the higher spectrum of my class. One child in my class is so "with it" that we are wondering if he could be a "child prodigy". I pray I can keep him challenged and help him grow to his full potential.

My "honey" is taking me away for the weekend so we can have a little "R&R". Church needs have been very demanding on us the entire month of August and we both are excited about "escaping" for a few days. We are even more excited as we realize that the day we return our son and family are coming in and we get to see our grandbaby Halle. We haven't seen her for 2 months ... since the week she was born. The pictures we have seen on hers and her mommy's blogs have been so helpful but not the same as "the real thing", ya know?

Yeah for Labor Day ... for us a chance to relax!