Five Minute Friday: Here

I am looking forward to writing this week's prompt--mainly because its been a few weeks since I've posted a Five Minute Friday and this week has also reminded me of why I am here...here teaching at a Christian school.


So here it goes: BEGIN

Lesson plans, grading papers, tutoring, conferences, discipline, and hugs. This is my life and these are my days. There are days why I wonder why I chose to have a ministry in education. There are days I think I may want to do something else...like work at Starbucks or sit in an office. Then the Lord always does a little something that reminds me why I am here teaching 20 precious children reading, writing, arithmetic, science, social skills, and Bible. I am here because God wants me here. He sent me here to minister to 20 students and their parents. He sent me to be a shining example in a dark world. He sent me here to give children who have hard home lives a hug and a smile and extra encouragement. He sent me here to encourage students struggling academically that they can do it. He sent me here to teach these boys and girls about Jesus and how he loves them. He sent me here so I can learn to love others as Christ loves them--as he loves me and as he loved me before I received Him. He sent me here to bring laughter and smiles into children's lives, and to show them its okay to laugh at yourself when you do something funny {trust me I laugh at myself a lot and we laugh a lot in class}. He sent me here to LOVE 20 children this year. In the end the work, tears, stress, and even the days I just want to go home are worth it when I reflect on why God sent me here. I love what I do, and can't imagine doing anything else but being a teacher.

 

Students writing me notes

 

A flower a student gave me-made my day (even though its silk)

 

Flat Teacher a fun project we did this year--my student took her home along with a note book and wrote me a story about what they did with "Flat Teacher"

A Day in the Life of a ME at school 2012

5:45 Alarm goes off...I think about getting up, hit snooz
6:00 alarm goes off again...I think about getting up, hit snooze
6:45-7:00 I decide I must get up and get ready
7:00:7:25 I walk to my bathroom and look in the mirror and then walk away and stand in front of my closet, then walk to the bathroom  again and decide what to do with my hair and apply my makeup. i finally decide the outfit for a day and get dressed, one last look in the mirror....grab my coffee cup, pour the coffee, take my vitamins, serch for my keys, and run out the door....oh and I did brush my teeth somewhere in there
7:30- Teacher meeting/Duty
7:50 The students arrive....I tell them to be quiet because I don't like noise in the morning...they look at books, do work, do a puzzle...while I am checking email and replying if needed
8:15-Attendance
8:30 Pledges/Song Time
8:35-9:00 Bathrooom time *where I tell several kids who like to play to stop*
9:00-9:30 Bible time....my favorite time of the day----hardest time for my kids to focus
9:30-10:45 Seatwork/Phonics/Reading Group/Handwriting/Story time.....around 10:00 a bathroom break
10:45 Lunch time...I have learned to eat lunch very fast, open many things, and pour milk in a timely matter...some days we have cupcakes for bdays and on Tuesdays bake sale
11:15-11:25ish pack up lunch, throw away trash, line up, clean table
11:25-11:35 Put lunch boxes away, go to the restroom
11:40-12:00 Outside Time
12:00-12:30 I HAVE A BREAK....YAY
12:30-12:35 Finish coloring if needed....get ready for math
12:35-1:15 Math Time
1:15-1:30 Get ready for rest time, pack folders, bags, etc
1:35-1:50 Bathroom/drink
2:00-2:45 REST TIME!! (this is actually a stressful time bc some of my kids don't want to rest.....this time I try and grade papers, rest my weary feet, write if I am in the mood)
2:45 Get up and get ready to go home
3:00-3:15 Dismiss (lots of hugs and good byes)
3:15-3:45 Help Class---(M T TH) On Wednesday I try and go home right at 3:30 and Friday by 4 I want to hit Starbucks and go home

AFTER SCHOOL

I try and go home relax, maybe go to the store, currently I have started to walk....cook dinner eat, watch TV, and grade a mountain of papers.....by 11:00 I am in bed MOST of the time


Teaching is an exhausting career, but I do love every moment of it,.

(Almost) Two Years Later

Around this time two years ago, I was anticipating having nose surgery. I had a gazillion thoughts going through my head....wasn't sure if this was something I should do--but at the same time I had peace about having the surgery done. The Lord had timed everything, provided a wonderful doctor, insurance had approved the surgery--and then there was the waiting period to go have it done. I never thought that day would come--but it did! So to reflect what has happened the past two years here you go!!! :-)

  A few days before my surgery.

 

 

The day after...or a few days after 2010

 

 

2013-almost two years after.

 

2012- almost two years after

Easter 2012

 My  friend Tony

My dear friend and "big sister" Lori.

more pics to come later....