You know those weeks where you feel like Heavenly Father just isn't aware of you and then as soon as you even think that thought, he just goes and shows you that He's still there?
I like to call them tender mercies. They've kind of become something I look for in life. He really is involved in the details of our lives.
Today is Wednesday. Wednesday are long. It starts off with a three hour class that starts at 8 am. Not like I'm ever ready to wake up and be ready that early, but today I was especially not ready. But with my messy bun and yoga pants, I headed off to class at 7:50. I couldn't have imagined a better way to start off my day. I decided to leave my phone at home today, and for those three hours, I was completely engaged. Not just sitting there passively listening, but really involved and absorbing each and every word with pen in hand.
We had some guest speakers. They talked to us about the power of morning meetings. An approach to start off the morning by creating a classroom of unity, getting students involved, making them feel safe, and incorporating some curriculum. It's based off of a responsive classroom. The benefits are u n b e l i e v a b l e.
But the logistics aren't that important.
Because as I sat there, my life changed. I had a reconfirmation that teaching is what I truly want to do. That, in and of itself is a huge blessing! It has allowed me to be driven and to know exactly what I want and to plan my education accordingly.
Using the skills that I am not only learning in school, but also from my job, to build communities and strengthen relationships makes me so excited! I can't wait to have a classroom where we can all trust each other. Where we can talk openly, where we have fun, are excited about learning, and where we use our conversations to facilitate our learning. It's going to be the best!
One of the speakers was just one of those people that everyone loves. She is just so real and she is hilarious and a good storyteller and is just so down to earth but you know that she knows she's awesome haha! Mostly she is just so passionate about what she does, because she knows it works and she sees the benefits of it and that is exactly what motivates people.
I can't wait to have experiences to share like she does and to be successful and to really make a difference in the lives of these students. She talked about how on the last day of school, when the bell rings and everyone else is running out into the halls and screaming and so excited for summer, her class just sits there. They are so sad to leave because of the community they've built and the lessons they've learned. Of course, it's important to continue to progress and move on to do good in other places, but I think that silence says a lot about the impact that the year had on each student.
When you have structure and then make the program your own, that's when the magic happens. There is a certain spirit that can enter a classroom and it is noticeable to anyone that walks through those doors. That is something to strive for.
Today, I laughed, I cried, I reflected, I got excited. I walked away feeling renewed and energized.
I'm looking forward to having my own classroom in just a year and a half. I can't wait to live my passion. I'm excited to keep learning about how to be the best that I can be and practice developing the skills that I'll need to be successful.
It might seem like something small. But in addition to having our homework due date pushed back, not having to worry about not knowing the material for that day (as exciting as theorists in classroom management can be), and just getting to sit back and listen today, it was quite a miracle. Right when I felt like giving up and losing what little motivation I had, Heavenly Father gave me exactly what I needed. A reminder that this is possible. A reminder that He cares. A reminder that He has not forgotten me, but that through the struggles comes growth and maybe even a little humility to recognize the tender mercies that He does bless me with so often.
I like to call them tender mercies. They've kind of become something I look for in life. He really is involved in the details of our lives.
Today is Wednesday. Wednesday are long. It starts off with a three hour class that starts at 8 am. Not like I'm ever ready to wake up and be ready that early, but today I was especially not ready. But with my messy bun and yoga pants, I headed off to class at 7:50. I couldn't have imagined a better way to start off my day. I decided to leave my phone at home today, and for those three hours, I was completely engaged. Not just sitting there passively listening, but really involved and absorbing each and every word with pen in hand.
We had some guest speakers. They talked to us about the power of morning meetings. An approach to start off the morning by creating a classroom of unity, getting students involved, making them feel safe, and incorporating some curriculum. It's based off of a responsive classroom. The benefits are u n b e l i e v a b l e.
But the logistics aren't that important.
Because as I sat there, my life changed. I had a reconfirmation that teaching is what I truly want to do. That, in and of itself is a huge blessing! It has allowed me to be driven and to know exactly what I want and to plan my education accordingly.
Using the skills that I am not only learning in school, but also from my job, to build communities and strengthen relationships makes me so excited! I can't wait to have a classroom where we can all trust each other. Where we can talk openly, where we have fun, are excited about learning, and where we use our conversations to facilitate our learning. It's going to be the best!
One of the speakers was just one of those people that everyone loves. She is just so real and she is hilarious and a good storyteller and is just so down to earth but you know that she knows she's awesome haha! Mostly she is just so passionate about what she does, because she knows it works and she sees the benefits of it and that is exactly what motivates people.
I can't wait to have experiences to share like she does and to be successful and to really make a difference in the lives of these students. She talked about how on the last day of school, when the bell rings and everyone else is running out into the halls and screaming and so excited for summer, her class just sits there. They are so sad to leave because of the community they've built and the lessons they've learned. Of course, it's important to continue to progress and move on to do good in other places, but I think that silence says a lot about the impact that the year had on each student.
When you have structure and then make the program your own, that's when the magic happens. There is a certain spirit that can enter a classroom and it is noticeable to anyone that walks through those doors. That is something to strive for.
Today, I laughed, I cried, I reflected, I got excited. I walked away feeling renewed and energized.
I'm looking forward to having my own classroom in just a year and a half. I can't wait to live my passion. I'm excited to keep learning about how to be the best that I can be and practice developing the skills that I'll need to be successful.
It might seem like something small. But in addition to having our homework due date pushed back, not having to worry about not knowing the material for that day (as exciting as theorists in classroom management can be), and just getting to sit back and listen today, it was quite a miracle. Right when I felt like giving up and losing what little motivation I had, Heavenly Father gave me exactly what I needed. A reminder that this is possible. A reminder that He cares. A reminder that He has not forgotten me, but that through the struggles comes growth and maybe even a little humility to recognize the tender mercies that He does bless me with so often.
