School’s out for the summer, so I’m looking forward to the next year. One goal is to own my teacher voice (all of them) and make conscious efforts to use the one my students need… and leave behind the one they don’t. Do I think I will always succeed? No, but there is the grace of transparency and admitting when I’ve used the wrong voice. When I talk to my students about my voice, they understand their own. … Read More
One Year Down, Or, the Sanctifying Work of Teaching
Last May, I had just finished my degree and was feverishly sending out job applications (while trying to catch up on sleep). Little did I know that I would end up, a year later, two states and one time zone away… already missing the 24 kids who call me their teacher… Read More
I saw a sign recently that read: this classroom runs on laughter, love, and lots of coffee. While I still want a sign like that for my desk, I’ve also been reminded recently that my classroom runs on grace. And mercy…. Read More
I have it: end-of-the-year teacher brain. Last Friday it manifested itself by telling the students about Goldilocks and the two dwarves. Today it kept leaving the last letter off of the words I wrote on the board. And a whole pot of coffee couldn’t fix it…. Read More
Teaching — This Present Sphere
Therefore be not discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position, or your work, abide in that, unless you are quite sure that He calls you to something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power where you are. Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another He will show it you.… Read More
Bright Hope for Tomorrow: A Teacher’s Sunday Night
So it may be that the daily scatterings of knowledge, patience, discipline, and love in the classroom will sprout and grow, whether the teacher sees or knows how. It could be that the late nights and early rising will later be blessed with a harvest that the teacher cannot judge now… Read More
Early Mornings… Or One Reason Why Preaching the Gospel to Yourself is So Important
I honestly think that I am a morning person. There is something I enjoy about being awake before others and listening to the secrets of the morning as they are chased away with the darkness by the rising sun. Many mornings, however, I wake up mumbling at my alarm clock… Read More
It’s almost here. The end of the semester. I can hardly believe that much time has past… and yet, I can hardly remember the beginning. …Read More
Pencils (Yes, I never carried pencils before this. Now I have four.), Crayons (There were only two. There used to be a whole box in there.), Index cards, 2 bottles of hand sanitizer… Read More
thoughts and songs 