Goodbye 2nd Grade and Goodbye PreK!

I can't believe another school year has passed.  It has been a great year for both the twins and Harris. I snapped a few pictures this morning as they left for their final day as 2nd graders and PreK4.  I knew that each of them had grown a lot this year, but to see the first day of school compared to the last day of school blew me away.  It's funny how they seem to be growing up so quickly right under my nose.

Look at that sweet baby face on the left.  Now he looks so "kindergartener-ish!"

 

 

Even Macy looks baby face at the first of the year to me.  She has gotten so tall in the past few months and threatens to pass Matt shortly.

 

 

This sweet 2nd grader is now so cool.  At the first of the year, his buzz cut had me thinking he looked a bit like a 12 year old.  I had no idea that by the end of this school year, he would truly look older (even with his hair grown back)! 

 

 

Together they always look so happy.  They will certainly always be "babies" to me. 

 

 

All the 2nd graders performed their last music program titled "Imagine God" on the Red Steps on the last day of school.  Here's a picture of the entire class:

 

 

 

Then the celebration began! These two have spent four years at the Lower School.  Look how far they've come:



 

 

They will miss seeing the teachers that made going to school so much fun, but they are happy to be moving on to the "big school."  We look forward to many more good times and sharing in Harris' years at the Lower School, too.

 





 





God Showed Up

     As I kissed my children good morning, hugged them as they rose from their beds, and then sent them out the door to school, I couldn't help but think about the dozens of mothers in Oklahoma who followed the same morning routine yesterday.  They had no idea that their children wouldn't be coming home.   When tragedies like the Moore, OK tornado occur, I often find myself asking the question "Where was God?"  Today was certainly one of those days.

     In Hebrews, God says "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (13:5).  I imagine that the parents of those children and the countless others who lost loved ones yesterday feel pretty abandoned right now.   They have no homes, no clothes, no food, no water, and some of them have lost their children.  Think about that for a minute.  They're children are gone.  How could they not feel abandoned?

     As I began to talk to God about this, He slowly reminded me that He is wherever we take him.  He asked me to take a closer look.  So as I stared at the TV, I began searching for a glimpse of Him.  And as the familiar passage in Matthew 7 tells us, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  I found Him.  God showed up.

God showed up in the voices of the meteorologists who begged citizens to take cover.

God showed up in the faces of the first responders as they rushed to that elementary school.

God showed up in the heart of the teacher who shielded her students with her own body during the storm.

God showed up in the mother who prayed for her child to be found alive in the rubble.

God showed up in the hearts of neighbors as they dug through the rubble of what once was their friends' homes.

God showed up in the churches of Oklahoma as they opened their doors to the now homeless.

God showed up in the eyewitness accounts of children being rescued and rushed to local hospitals.

God showed up in the form of power crews from surrounding areas hoping to lend a hand.

God showed up as the American Red Cross provides water and shelter to the victims and workers.

God showed up on Facebook as the nation wrote their sympathies for the lost.

God showed up in my own home as we prayed for the victims.


     I wonder how many people cried out to God during those brief few minutes of the storm. I know it must have been many.  I also know that my God showed up.  I know that He was under the rubble with those 3rd graders, holding them tight as they took their last breath.  I know that He was with the injured as they lay buried under their homes.   I know that He is still watching over the recovery efforts, pointing search teams to victims. And I know that He is with me as long as I seek Him. 

Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes it can be so overwhelming to be a part of this world.  There are storms that take us by surprise and some even take everything we have.  There are heartaches and hardships that make us question whether or not you are still in control.  Thank you for reminding us that your love endures forever.  Thank you for showing up every time we need you.  We love you so much.  Amen.

From the Heart of a Student Teacher

As my semester of student teaching comes to an end, I find myself joyful and quietly wishing I could extend it just one more day.  I have become accustomed to the hustle of getting ready each morning, the sweet smile from the school secretary as I arrive, and the short walk up those stairs to the third grade classroom I've called home for the past five months.  But yet, my heart is torn between the career that lies ahead and the 31 students that I will never forget.  In an attempt to capture the feelings and memories that bind me to this class, I give you a list of what I've learned.

As a student teacher, I've learned...

1. I have never been more sure of my calling.  I was meant to be a teacher.

2.  Every child is truly a blessing.  Every child.  Even the one that knows exactly how to make your day miserable.  And does.  Every day.

3.  The child that causes the most trouble in class, usually has the most trouble at home. 

4.  "Trouble at home" can take many forms:  no food, no clean clothes, no mother, no father, no parents at all.  Or worse, parents that abuse you.

5.  Standing up in front of a class requires hours of preparation.  Long hours.

6.  Sometimes you have to be willing to stop mid-lesson and say, "Class, this isn't working.  Let's do it a different way."  And that's perfectly okay.

7.  Your cooperating teacher is giving her class to you.  Share it wisely.

8.  A smile goes a long way to a student who feels overwhelmed by that math test.

9.  Most of the time, a simple tap on a desk is better than shouting "I said BE QUIET!"  The end result is usually the same. 

10.  Sometimes, answering God's call to serve His children means you miss out on special events with your children.  This can be overwhelming.

11.  Don't yell at the third grader who is always late.  He can't drive himself.

12.  Stickers make everything better.

13.  Third graders are still babies.  They still wet their pants in class. 

14.  Technology will fail (usually when your supervisor is observing).

15.  It's okay to mess up.  Kids will realize you are a real person.

16.  Teachers are far more than teachers.  They are mothers, fathers, counselors, doctors, maids, comedians, dancers, pastors, and friends.

17.  Loving your students means being willing to discipline them when needed (even the best behaved in the class messes up).

18.  Pencil sharpeners are evil.

19.  Hot glue guns will burn you.

20.  Sometimes the worst-behaved child will surprise you.  He'll secretly slip a note on your desk that simply says "I'm sorry."

21.  Encouraging a child to try harder on a test instead of giving "hints" usually pays off for the child.  Watching the "light bulb" moment is indescribable. 

22.  It's fun to watch students succeed.  It's even more fun to tell them you knew they would. 

23.  There can never be enough Kleenex in a classroom.  Or Lysol.  Or sanitizer.

24.  Third grade girls can start their periods.  Be ready with an answer.

25.  Giving a kid a chance to redeem his behavior doesn't show weakness; it shows grace.

26.  P.E. is a God-given blessing.  Enjoy every minute.

27.  Laminating can be addictive.

28.  Diet Coke is a necessity.

29.  Teachers never get to use the bathroom.

30.  Students will notice everything about you.  And ask you about it without hesitation.

31.  Kids tell all their parents' business. 

32.  Kids like to teach each other.  Use this to help you!

33.  The child who tells you on the way in the door "Mrs. Browning, my mom didn't give me my medicine!"  is giving you a warning.  Get ready.

34.  Always say "good morning" with a smile to each child.

35.  Teach them to stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance with respect.

36.  It is impossible for a child to learn if they haven't eaten.  Have snacks on hand.

37.  Third graders need deodorant.  And a bath. 

38.  Cat litter soaks up vomit quickly.

39.  Rainy day carpool stinks.

40.  Bullying is a very real problem.

41.  A game of Simon Says passes the time quickly while waiting in the hall.  It also keeps students quiet.

42.  High fives and happy dances are a must in my classroom.

43.  All the late nights, essays, research papers, tests, field experiences, and student teaching were worth it.  I am a teacher. 

These are just some of the many things I have learned over this semester.  Of all these, I am most happy to share that I learned God is very present in public schools.  I know because I took Him with me every single day.  I saw Him in the smile from the school secretary.  I saw Him in the smiles from other teachers.  I felt Him as teachers prayed over me the day before my comps.  I felt Him in the hug from the child who now has a DHR file with my name as a contact.  I saw Him in the prayers of the two children who bowed their heads and said a blessing together at lunch every single day.  I saw Him in the eyes of every child in my classroom.  His handiwork is apparent in each of them.

I am so blessed to have been a part of this class and I can't wait to see what's next.