As some already know, I have accepted a job at an office here in the town where I live. What with various unexpected expenses and the amount of money we were spending on gas driving two hours every day, it was becoming unfeasible for me to continue teaching.
As I sit here finishing up the last of my grading and learn a very nice and capable young man will be taking my place in a week, I am thinking about the decision I have made. I do not regret it. Teaching is a very demanding profession. It can be very rewarding, but the toll the stress was taking on me personally and on my relationship with my husband was not worth the reward to me personally.
Teaching is all about relationships. I love each and every one of my students, but I am not the kind of person who feeds off of interacting with people. It drains me. And I cannot leave those relationships at the school when I go home. I feel responsible for them, even when I am at home and on holidays. Grading is the same way.
Now that I know this about myself, I am looking forward to a job I can leave at the office when I go home and having time to volunteer with youth with my husband. He is my primary calling right now, and one day our children will be as well. I am thankful for the experience I have had and I wish all teachers the best. But I am not unhappy about my decision.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Update
Within the past two weeks, I have been told to say "Please," twice when asking the students to participate in class activities and assignments, been yelled at once for "interrupting" a conversation during one of my lectures (the girl was across the room out of her seat, talking with another girl), had a student ask if all that was going to happen if he absolutely refused to move to his assigned seat (forget expecting him to do any work) was that he was going to be sent to the principal's office, had 4 of 8 brand new pens and all of my gotcha cards stolen out of my desk, had a student respond "move, ho," when asked the proper way in which to ask a girl to move so he could get by, and watched a boy literally take a bite out of another boy's paragraph and chew it up. Have they learned any English yet?
Friday, October 16, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Another Interesting Day . . .
. . . but this one I'm pretty ticked about. My 7th hour was just dandy today. Two boys decided to throw a literature textbook at each other's heads (and I had already stepped between a shoving match during 3rd hour), but the thing that really makes me mad is that someone in my 7th hour took another boy's SCHOOL PICTURES and drew a mustache and other facial paraphenalia, as well as breast indentations. He was furious, and I do not blame him one bit. I sincerely hope his mother comes up to the school to complain. Another students pulled me aside later and told me it was a certain young man in the class. This young man was one of the ones with the giant hornet yesterday, and he claimed today that the principal had taken his side because another teacher was "out to get him" for making fun of one of the new teachers. Bull. I'm about ready to suggest a group meeting with all the teachers and the boy's father. I have tried a few different punishments and even talked to his dad, but nothing is working.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
No, Patty, my day was not quite like that. This is more like it:
First, I had commons duty. This means that 15 minutes before the first bell rings, 3 of us corral 250 kids, making sure they sit down and don't kill each other before school begins.
When first hour starts, one young girl walks in smelling very strongly of sweet smoke. As it was first hour, I tried not to be too hasty and assume it was something she was actually smoking, as I understand that perhaps some parents smoke cigars at 7:30 in the morning and oftentimes that smell lingers on the students' clothes as they come into the building.
Come to find out, another teacher found ashes in the girls' bathroom sometime before lunch. Interesting.
The principle came to watch my 4th hour class (my 2nd most challenging class), and I actually got a little bit of work from one of my most difficult students!
After lunch, I sent 4 students to the office for shooting "hornets," little pieces of paper made by folding a long strip of paper over and over until you have a little rectangle about 1/8 of an inch thick which then fits nicely over the rubberbands with which the students shoot them. Oh, and by the way, I collected at least 26 rubberbands today (and no, I did not have any students hiding them under their tongues today like I did yesterday). I began keeping the entire class after 15 seconds for every time I hear a "hornet" fly across the room. It is somewhat working.
So this is what happened that 7th hour. I knew a kid had been shooting them, so I checked his arms and made him empty his pockets before he came in the room. Pretty soon I hear a whiz and a snap and turn around to see a girl holding her hand like it was hit. Not too long after that, I hear something hit the opposite side of the room. Despite my extremely engaging lesson on apostrophes, I still managed to catch those first two with rubberbands and hornets. The best part? The kid next to the boy was the one making the hornets for him - and he's usually the one getting shot by that same kid! I walked over, and kid #1 shut a drawer and sat down really quickly, claiming he did not have a rubber band. Hmm, wonder where it could be - oh, look! It's in this drawer. Office? Yes, I'm sending ---- and ---- to come see you.
5 minutes later: Most students are working on their worksheets. I meander over to a couple of desks where 2 boys are supposed to be sitting but are not. There, on the floor, with their backs to me, they have stretched a broken rubberband across from the leg of one desk to the leg of the other and have the hornet poised and ready to release. Whatcha got there? Um . . . Yeah, why don't you join the first two in the office. Office? Yes, I have two more coming your way.
10 minutes later: The team effort returns to the room. Mind you, one of them is the same boy who had asked me right before class started how he could get his grade up. My response? Why don't you try sitting in your seat, not talking, and doing your work for a change? His words as he came into the room? They said to come back. They didn't care. Great. Never heard a single word from the principles.
8th hour. Did everything but pat 2 boys down as they walked into the room. One boy pulled out a wad of rubberbands. I made a deal with him: first time I hear or see one fly across the room from anyone at all, I'm taking them.
Apostrophes again. We get 2 seconds in, and half the class is complaining because 2 boys in particular won't stop talking. I give those boys a choice: you can either listen, or you can go in the hall so the rest of the class can listen. They chose the hall, followed by a unanimous "Thank you!" from the rest of the class. It still didn't last. They got out their workbooks. Another teacher came in and asked to see those two boys. Apparently they had been shooting one of her students in the hall while she was trying to work on a test. Oh, and I did get that student's rubberband. I hear a pop, and I look up to see him sitting as if nothing were happening, and the 3 boys opposite him hiding behind their binders. Am I dumb? No. Rubberband count is up to 24.
Last hour. This is "enrichment," meaning all my first hour kids who do not play sports come back in my room for 30 minutes to do the homework which we are encouraged not to assign. Yeah, it's great. 2 more rubberbands, 3 boys picking up trash off the floor, and little girl from first hour comes prancing in reeking so strongly that my nostrils are burning and I am getting a headache. Tried the old, "Could you take this note to the principal" routine, but no go. So I then sent an email to the principal, but what with the discipline problems with which he's been dealing, I 'm not sure he has the time or the energy to even deal with this.
Finally, school is over, and I am writing my next day's information on the board. The janitor comes in and informs me that she had cought the other young lady who had also been late to my last class in the bathroom kissing another girl. Yeah, that's really popular among the kids now, so we have to crack down on PDA not only from boyfriend to girlfriend, but also from girlfriend to girlfriend, some of whom have both. I think Smoky holds the record, though. I saw her kiss 4 boys and 1 girl on the lips in a period of 5 minutes.
Yep. That was my day, Patty. I just pray they actually learned something about apostrophes and will have their essays to turn in tomorrow. I bet you're all jealous that your days are not nearly as exciting as mine! :-)
First, I had commons duty. This means that 15 minutes before the first bell rings, 3 of us corral 250 kids, making sure they sit down and don't kill each other before school begins.
When first hour starts, one young girl walks in smelling very strongly of sweet smoke. As it was first hour, I tried not to be too hasty and assume it was something she was actually smoking, as I understand that perhaps some parents smoke cigars at 7:30 in the morning and oftentimes that smell lingers on the students' clothes as they come into the building.
Come to find out, another teacher found ashes in the girls' bathroom sometime before lunch. Interesting.
The principle came to watch my 4th hour class (my 2nd most challenging class), and I actually got a little bit of work from one of my most difficult students!
After lunch, I sent 4 students to the office for shooting "hornets," little pieces of paper made by folding a long strip of paper over and over until you have a little rectangle about 1/8 of an inch thick which then fits nicely over the rubberbands with which the students shoot them. Oh, and by the way, I collected at least 26 rubberbands today (and no, I did not have any students hiding them under their tongues today like I did yesterday). I began keeping the entire class after 15 seconds for every time I hear a "hornet" fly across the room. It is somewhat working.
So this is what happened that 7th hour. I knew a kid had been shooting them, so I checked his arms and made him empty his pockets before he came in the room. Pretty soon I hear a whiz and a snap and turn around to see a girl holding her hand like it was hit. Not too long after that, I hear something hit the opposite side of the room. Despite my extremely engaging lesson on apostrophes, I still managed to catch those first two with rubberbands and hornets. The best part? The kid next to the boy was the one making the hornets for him - and he's usually the one getting shot by that same kid! I walked over, and kid #1 shut a drawer and sat down really quickly, claiming he did not have a rubber band. Hmm, wonder where it could be - oh, look! It's in this drawer. Office? Yes, I'm sending ---- and ---- to come see you.
5 minutes later: Most students are working on their worksheets. I meander over to a couple of desks where 2 boys are supposed to be sitting but are not. There, on the floor, with their backs to me, they have stretched a broken rubberband across from the leg of one desk to the leg of the other and have the hornet poised and ready to release. Whatcha got there? Um . . . Yeah, why don't you join the first two in the office. Office? Yes, I have two more coming your way.
10 minutes later: The team effort returns to the room. Mind you, one of them is the same boy who had asked me right before class started how he could get his grade up. My response? Why don't you try sitting in your seat, not talking, and doing your work for a change? His words as he came into the room? They said to come back. They didn't care. Great. Never heard a single word from the principles.
8th hour. Did everything but pat 2 boys down as they walked into the room. One boy pulled out a wad of rubberbands. I made a deal with him: first time I hear or see one fly across the room from anyone at all, I'm taking them.
Apostrophes again. We get 2 seconds in, and half the class is complaining because 2 boys in particular won't stop talking. I give those boys a choice: you can either listen, or you can go in the hall so the rest of the class can listen. They chose the hall, followed by a unanimous "Thank you!" from the rest of the class. It still didn't last. They got out their workbooks. Another teacher came in and asked to see those two boys. Apparently they had been shooting one of her students in the hall while she was trying to work on a test. Oh, and I did get that student's rubberband. I hear a pop, and I look up to see him sitting as if nothing were happening, and the 3 boys opposite him hiding behind their binders. Am I dumb? No. Rubberband count is up to 24.
Last hour. This is "enrichment," meaning all my first hour kids who do not play sports come back in my room for 30 minutes to do the homework which we are encouraged not to assign. Yeah, it's great. 2 more rubberbands, 3 boys picking up trash off the floor, and little girl from first hour comes prancing in reeking so strongly that my nostrils are burning and I am getting a headache. Tried the old, "Could you take this note to the principal" routine, but no go. So I then sent an email to the principal, but what with the discipline problems with which he's been dealing, I 'm not sure he has the time or the energy to even deal with this.
Finally, school is over, and I am writing my next day's information on the board. The janitor comes in and informs me that she had cought the other young lady who had also been late to my last class in the bathroom kissing another girl. Yeah, that's really popular among the kids now, so we have to crack down on PDA not only from boyfriend to girlfriend, but also from girlfriend to girlfriend, some of whom have both. I think Smoky holds the record, though. I saw her kiss 4 boys and 1 girl on the lips in a period of 5 minutes.
Yep. That was my day, Patty. I just pray they actually learned something about apostrophes and will have their essays to turn in tomorrow. I bet you're all jealous that your days are not nearly as exciting as mine! :-)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Back to the Simply-Stick-with-It Board?
I am not sure my procedures really did much good. Last week it seemed to be getting better, but this week, it seems we are back to square one. Of course, the more I learn about these students, the more I realize I would probably act the same way if I was dealing with all this stuff at the age of 13. And I also keep reminding myself that they are only 13 and 14 and are just going to be squirrelly from day to day.
Anyway, I hope to finish personal narratives this week (yay - lots of grading this weekend!), and next week we will begin and perhaps finish letters before Fall Break gets here.
I am reading a book another teacher loaned me, and it seems that everything I keep hearing, seeing, or reading comes down to my simply needing more experience. I can have all the theories in the world in my brain, but until I suffer few these first few years, it is just going to be difficult. Guess I shouldn't give up quite yet.
Why did I become a teacher again? Oh yeah, something about thinking every kid deserves a chance . . .
Anyway, I hope to finish personal narratives this week (yay - lots of grading this weekend!), and next week we will begin and perhaps finish letters before Fall Break gets here.
I am reading a book another teacher loaned me, and it seems that everything I keep hearing, seeing, or reading comes down to my simply needing more experience. I can have all the theories in the world in my brain, but until I suffer few these first few years, it is just going to be difficult. Guess I shouldn't give up quite yet.
Why did I become a teacher again? Oh yeah, something about thinking every kid deserves a chance . . .
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Busy Week!
Parent teacher conferences, Explore test, funeral. Yep, it was pretty busy. As far as I can tell, my classes seem to be somewhat learning the procedures, although they still haven't mastered the art of doing homework. Oh, and if you ever want to know how to get parents to show up to parent-teacher conference: If you give them Fs, they will come!
Please keep B. in your prayers: her mother committed suicide on Monday. The funeral was yesterday. A few other teachers and I came to the service. She doesn't look like she is doing very well, and I just hope she deals with everything and is able to get back on track after a while.
Now, for a fun day of grading papers!
Please keep B. in your prayers: her mother committed suicide on Monday. The funeral was yesterday. A few other teachers and I came to the service. She doesn't look like she is doing very well, and I just hope she deals with everything and is able to get back on track after a while.
Now, for a fun day of grading papers!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Procedures, Procedures, Procedures
Finally! Some real advice!
My observer from the college came to my worst hour on Friday. Needless to say, it was absolutely horrific. They were rude, even to her! I could not believe it.
Anyway, she was the first person to just come out and say it - you need to go over procedures again. They are not following them, so make them practice them until they get them right. It may take all week, but I think it needs to be done.
So, I am about to put together lesson plans covering procedures, respect, and how to identify a subject and a verb. Yes, elementary, but they literally cannot identify the subject and the verb.
Bring on the word searches, dictionary definitions, moral movies, and complete sentences!
My observer from the college came to my worst hour on Friday. Needless to say, it was absolutely horrific. They were rude, even to her! I could not believe it.
Anyway, she was the first person to just come out and say it - you need to go over procedures again. They are not following them, so make them practice them until they get them right. It may take all week, but I think it needs to be done.
So, I am about to put together lesson plans covering procedures, respect, and how to identify a subject and a verb. Yes, elementary, but they literally cannot identify the subject and the verb.
Bring on the word searches, dictionary definitions, moral movies, and complete sentences!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Kids Are Dumb
This is the middle school version of "You Might Be a Redneck If . . ." or "Here's Your Sign."
1. A middle schooler was drinking a bottle of water on her way to lunch. A teacher approaches her.
Teacher (keep in mind, he used to work at Kojak - however you spell it): "Oh no! You're not drinking water, are you?!"
Student: "Ye-es?"
Teacher: "Didn't you know that fish poop in water?"
Student: "Ewwwwww! Gross! I'm never drinking water again! I'm only going to drink tea and pop!"
Yep, kids are dumb.
2. A lady worked at the women's prison for several years and decided to quit and go into teaching. Her first couple of weeks, she had no discipline problems whatsoever, and the students almost seemed scared to talk in class. She finally asked if there was something wrong, and one particularly brave student said, "We heard you just got out of prison."
Yep, kids are dumb.
3. One of the new teachers at the middle school is a tall guy who teaches history. He is a little quirky and has that perfect mysterious personality that keeps the kids just on edge enough not to try anything (mostly). I'm not sure this mysterious personality has not gone a little over the line, however, for, apparently, the rumor has begun that he eats kids. Yes, you read that right. The students think he eats children. Needless to say, he has not discouraged this idea, and has even warned them that those students who suddenly disappeared off the roster - well, you get the idea.
Yep, kids are dumb.
More to come, I'm sure.
1. A middle schooler was drinking a bottle of water on her way to lunch. A teacher approaches her.
Teacher (keep in mind, he used to work at Kojak - however you spell it): "Oh no! You're not drinking water, are you?!"
Student: "Ye-es?"
Teacher: "Didn't you know that fish poop in water?"
Student: "Ewwwwww! Gross! I'm never drinking water again! I'm only going to drink tea and pop!"
Yep, kids are dumb.
2. A lady worked at the women's prison for several years and decided to quit and go into teaching. Her first couple of weeks, she had no discipline problems whatsoever, and the students almost seemed scared to talk in class. She finally asked if there was something wrong, and one particularly brave student said, "We heard you just got out of prison."
Yep, kids are dumb.
3. One of the new teachers at the middle school is a tall guy who teaches history. He is a little quirky and has that perfect mysterious personality that keeps the kids just on edge enough not to try anything (mostly). I'm not sure this mysterious personality has not gone a little over the line, however, for, apparently, the rumor has begun that he eats kids. Yes, you read that right. The students think he eats children. Needless to say, he has not discouraged this idea, and has even warned them that those students who suddenly disappeared off the roster - well, you get the idea.
Yep, kids are dumb.
More to come, I'm sure.
Hmmmm . . .
Haven't posted in a while, mostly because I'm so high-strung by the time I get home that I don't even want to think about school or any of the little monsters I can't get to do what I ask.
So, this week. We took more notes - they complained. Then yesterday and today they began an assignment - they complained. Hopefully when they get their progress reports next week, they will decide they need to stop complaining and goofing off and begin paying attention. Hopefully.
Yesterday was by far the most eventful. I broke up two fights IN MY ROOM, sent a kid to the office - my first referral - and another to intervention for throwing sharpened pencils across the room, and had one student tardy yet again - even WITH his mother court-mandated to follow him around all day to make sure he gets to class on time. The evening before I had talked to a parent about her son's complete disregard for anything I ask him to do - his behavior had not changed at all, and when I spoke to him out in the hall, he did not seem to care at all.
I did have a sort of epiphany, though. I simply decided that I was going to enjoy my life no matter what and not let these little kids mess up my attitude. It worked yesterday, and my students seemed to pick up on my mood and lighten up a little.
Then last night my husband's grandfather passed away, complicating some family issues he has already been having, and even though I tried to be bright and pleasant, I'm not sure I succeeded.
At any rate, it has been an eventful week, but the hecticness is becoming everyday, and it doesn't seem to rile me as much anymore. I don't know what that means as far as my teaching ability, but I'm not giving up yet.
So there is my eventful week! Next week we finish our assignment using the state rubric and take a test over it - then we FINALLY begin our first writing project! I can't wait to hear the creative reasons they will voice for not needing to write them! They'll make it, though, and hopefully, if they live beyond the age of 18 and actually go to college, they will at least be able to go on and succeed in life because of my class, whether they realize and/or are thankful for it or not.
So, this week. We took more notes - they complained. Then yesterday and today they began an assignment - they complained. Hopefully when they get their progress reports next week, they will decide they need to stop complaining and goofing off and begin paying attention. Hopefully.
Yesterday was by far the most eventful. I broke up two fights IN MY ROOM, sent a kid to the office - my first referral - and another to intervention for throwing sharpened pencils across the room, and had one student tardy yet again - even WITH his mother court-mandated to follow him around all day to make sure he gets to class on time. The evening before I had talked to a parent about her son's complete disregard for anything I ask him to do - his behavior had not changed at all, and when I spoke to him out in the hall, he did not seem to care at all.
I did have a sort of epiphany, though. I simply decided that I was going to enjoy my life no matter what and not let these little kids mess up my attitude. It worked yesterday, and my students seemed to pick up on my mood and lighten up a little.
Then last night my husband's grandfather passed away, complicating some family issues he has already been having, and even though I tried to be bright and pleasant, I'm not sure I succeeded.
At any rate, it has been an eventful week, but the hecticness is becoming everyday, and it doesn't seem to rile me as much anymore. I don't know what that means as far as my teaching ability, but I'm not giving up yet.
So there is my eventful week! Next week we finish our assignment using the state rubric and take a test over it - then we FINALLY begin our first writing project! I can't wait to hear the creative reasons they will voice for not needing to write them! They'll make it, though, and hopefully, if they live beyond the age of 18 and actually go to college, they will at least be able to go on and succeed in life because of my class, whether they realize and/or are thankful for it or not.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Whew!
Yesterday was a good day. Don't know what today will be, but yesterday was a good day. My two good classes were behind a day due to various assemblies, fire drills, and such, and so they finished their notes over the writing process.
My other three classes - the ones that did not get to do the "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" activity, were finished or finished early during the class period, so I came up with the motivation to watch a movie and then write about themselves. I chose Freedom Writers, and, boy, did I get some reactions. I have only seen two so far, and they made me want to just sit down and cry. So many of these kids are coming from horrible backgrounds. I want to help them so badly. My goal of finding motivation to make these kids want to write has just skyrocketed. I really feel like it can be an outlet for them, as well as a means to make better lives for themselves when they leave here. I'm also not sure I don't want to save this activity until the second week next year, maybe Friday after a quiz. It seemed to make a difference having had them a little while before they opened up completely.
One other thing I did was to try a different discipline approach. I realized that when I got on to some kids, the problems simply got worse, and I do not want to get in a power struggle with any of them. Also, it is not fair to the other 23 kids in the class for me to spend the majority of my time trying to calm the other 2 or 3 or 5 down rather than providing instruction. Therefore, I simply ignored the ones who weren't doing what I asked and went around to each group individually, asking questions, seeing how they were doing, etc. It actually worked in 2 of my 3 rowdy classes. I will probably still send out a friendly email to parents this weekend and call a few next week, but at least it was a step.
Now, we shall see how today goes.
My other three classes - the ones that did not get to do the "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" activity, were finished or finished early during the class period, so I came up with the motivation to watch a movie and then write about themselves. I chose Freedom Writers, and, boy, did I get some reactions. I have only seen two so far, and they made me want to just sit down and cry. So many of these kids are coming from horrible backgrounds. I want to help them so badly. My goal of finding motivation to make these kids want to write has just skyrocketed. I really feel like it can be an outlet for them, as well as a means to make better lives for themselves when they leave here. I'm also not sure I don't want to save this activity until the second week next year, maybe Friday after a quiz. It seemed to make a difference having had them a little while before they opened up completely.
One other thing I did was to try a different discipline approach. I realized that when I got on to some kids, the problems simply got worse, and I do not want to get in a power struggle with any of them. Also, it is not fair to the other 23 kids in the class for me to spend the majority of my time trying to calm the other 2 or 3 or 5 down rather than providing instruction. Therefore, I simply ignored the ones who weren't doing what I asked and went around to each group individually, asking questions, seeing how they were doing, etc. It actually worked in 2 of my 3 rowdy classes. I will probably still send out a friendly email to parents this weekend and call a few next week, but at least it was a step.
Now, we shall see how today goes.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Keepin' On Keepin' On
This week we are learning about the WRITING PROCESS! And it was so nice to learn that when they finished the seventh grade last year, they were doing well to write a single paragraph! Ahhhhhh! They have to be able to write 500 words in the form of 5 paragraphs by the end of the year! Needless to say, we have our work cut out for us. I shudder to think about those responsible for the reading test!
Monday wasn't too bad. I had 3 boys come in at lunch with me to clean desks, pick up trash, and scrape gum (that one had sooo much fun, let me tell you!). But, really, it was just a matter of reminding everyone that they had to keep quiet, take notes, etc.
Today was a little more eventful. The gum scraper got silent lunch for making me call on him 3 times before I even finished taking roll. Then, when I informed of his punishment, he gathered his books and walked out into the hallway where he proceded to bang loudly on the lockers. I began the day's assignment and calmly called the office on the intercome, informing them of the situation. The principal was there in a matter of minutes, and the student did not return for the rest of the hour. The class was AMAZING! We got so much done, and I did not have to call many of them down at all! Once their ring leader was gone, they were actually decent pre-humans, as my father likes to call them.
A later hour was even more rambunctious, driving me to threaten that the next person who speaks would have silent lunch. Immediately four young gentlemen decided to try me on it, and, so they will be visiting the silent lunch coach tomorrow. (One, however, did promise not to speak again for the rest of the hour if I would take it away. He didn't, so I did. He was another ringleader, and the change in climate was wonderful!)
On the academic side, I am not sure my notes are completely clear. There were several questions about a thesis statement, and I realized as we went through the Power Point that I used some rather large words. This weekend, I hope to put it in more 8th-grade language for next year.
I also found out from bellwork this weekend that I have 2 students who speak minimal English. This week I have begun writing bellwork in Spanish and English, and they are copying the notes in English. At least they are copying word for word. I have contacted the ELL teacher and am going to try to get some notes to them in Spanish so that they at least understand the basic writing process by the time they start trying to write in English. It's kind of fun, actually, getting to use my Spanish, even if it is a little bit extra work.
I also have begun the "differentiated instruction" approach! A few students on IEPs and not were having trouble keeping up with notes for whatever reason. I therefore went through and printed a copy of the slides with blanks for them to fill in. It seemed to help, though I will have to wait and see how much they learned.
Pretty exciting so far, and it's only Tuesday! Can't wait to see what the rest of the week has to offer. Can't say I would rather be doing anything else at this point, though I hear Halloween is the time most people reconsider.
Monday wasn't too bad. I had 3 boys come in at lunch with me to clean desks, pick up trash, and scrape gum (that one had sooo much fun, let me tell you!). But, really, it was just a matter of reminding everyone that they had to keep quiet, take notes, etc.
Today was a little more eventful. The gum scraper got silent lunch for making me call on him 3 times before I even finished taking roll. Then, when I informed of his punishment, he gathered his books and walked out into the hallway where he proceded to bang loudly on the lockers. I began the day's assignment and calmly called the office on the intercome, informing them of the situation. The principal was there in a matter of minutes, and the student did not return for the rest of the hour. The class was AMAZING! We got so much done, and I did not have to call many of them down at all! Once their ring leader was gone, they were actually decent pre-humans, as my father likes to call them.
A later hour was even more rambunctious, driving me to threaten that the next person who speaks would have silent lunch. Immediately four young gentlemen decided to try me on it, and, so they will be visiting the silent lunch coach tomorrow. (One, however, did promise not to speak again for the rest of the hour if I would take it away. He didn't, so I did. He was another ringleader, and the change in climate was wonderful!)
On the academic side, I am not sure my notes are completely clear. There were several questions about a thesis statement, and I realized as we went through the Power Point that I used some rather large words. This weekend, I hope to put it in more 8th-grade language for next year.
I also found out from bellwork this weekend that I have 2 students who speak minimal English. This week I have begun writing bellwork in Spanish and English, and they are copying the notes in English. At least they are copying word for word. I have contacted the ELL teacher and am going to try to get some notes to them in Spanish so that they at least understand the basic writing process by the time they start trying to write in English. It's kind of fun, actually, getting to use my Spanish, even if it is a little bit extra work.
I also have begun the "differentiated instruction" approach! A few students on IEPs and not were having trouble keeping up with notes for whatever reason. I therefore went through and printed a copy of the slides with blanks for them to fill in. It seemed to help, though I will have to wait and see how much they learned.
Pretty exciting so far, and it's only Tuesday! Can't wait to see what the rest of the week has to offer. Can't say I would rather be doing anything else at this point, though I hear Halloween is the time most people reconsider.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Funny Point
As I was grading some of my "Why Is Writing Important" papers, I came across an interesting answer: If you don't know how to write, you cannot check into the hospital to get attention (for non emergencies). Now, I know this is not entirely true, but it is an interesting thought. It is important to be able to fill out all those forms. So, potentially, writing could, in fact, save your life! Such encouragement!
I also rewrote my lessons for the first three days, looking back over them to make sure I know what I'm doing and correcting the mistakes I made for next year. I already wish I could do those three days over. I have learned so much, it seems! Of course, I am sure when I get back in there this week, I will realize just how much more I have still to learn, but it is encouraging to look back and see that yes, I can, in fact, do this job!
I also rewrote my lessons for the first three days, looking back over them to make sure I know what I'm doing and correcting the mistakes I made for next year. I already wish I could do those three days over. I have learned so much, it seems! Of course, I am sure when I get back in there this week, I will realize just how much more I have still to learn, but it is encouraging to look back and see that yes, I can, in fact, do this job!
First Week
I apologize for my tardiness, but I only just obtained internet access once again. And on that note, I would like to say we are officially moved to Ada, as of last weekend, that being the reason I did not have internet access until today.
So, last week on Thursday, we found a rent house - extremely quick, concerning Dell had only had his job for a week! Friday, Mom, Dell and I (yes, my parents are EXTREMELY happy that we moved back - they have both been over nearly every day this week to help in some way) cleaned the rent house, and Saturday, Dell's aunt, uncle, 2 cousins and grandmother, and my parents all came and helped us move from the City back to my home town. It was CRAZY!!!! But we got moved in, albeit without gas (meaning we did not have hot water - couldn't do laundry, dishes, or take showers at home - don't worry, we took showers at my parents').
Monday I sat through more meetings, still having no clue how the things they kept telling us were going to play out in the actual classroom, and Tuesday I got the ENTIRE DAY to prepare my room! It really seemed like I wasn't getting much done, but when I looked back at my list, I really had gotten more than I realized, thankfully. One key point, the SMARTboard, was not working as I did not have access to the adapter that fits from the plug into the Mac. So, all the things I had planned to put on that board had to be moved to the dry erase board. Flexibility, you know. I borrowed one from my fellow teacher, however, whose computer died and who had to bring his own computer to use.
Wednesday was my first day of actual classes. It actually went pretty smoothly. We only had one fight at lunch, the kids thought my knighthood theme was lame and didn't even know what the term chivalry meant, and most of the classes stayed on task.
Thursday was a different story. Three of my five core classes (I have one enrichment class at the end of the day) were absolutely awful. It being an emotional, stressful time for me, I broke down at lunch, thankfully not in front of my classes, but thanks to the support of my fellow team teachers, especially my supervising teacher (bless her!) I got it under control and realized I cannot allow them to sit idle or do work completely on their own at this point at all. If I do, I will have shouting and paper wads flying across the room. Oh, yes, they are VERY mature. I made it through the day, though, and even went back on Friday! I do have to admit that the thought crossed my mind that I don't HAVE to do this job, but it didn't last long. I was determined to last the year, if for no other reason than to spite my students. It was not really a matter of being bothered by the students' behavior, or letting their smart-alec comments get to me. I knew it was going to be like that. I was more frustrated with myself for not figuring out how to deal with the situation better. By the third awful class I finally figured out a fun assignment of making them write down the procedures as I read them aloud - you should have heard the complaining. I also found I had to remember my own procedures - if I wanted them to raise their hands to ask a question, I had to make them raise their hand and wait on me to call on them before I answered the question. By the end of the hour, I had made them raise their hands and repeat their questions enough that they finally began to get it a little. It was tough and gruelling, but it started to work.
Friday. It was a little better. I played catch-up with my first two awful classes, and their complaining was just as bad at having to write procedures as the class from the day before. Oh, and I loved how the class who was throwing paper wads was "in the eighth grade now and too mature to have to write procedures now." They're going to have a nice surprise when I spend my entire weekend making sure they wrote everything down word for word and took off points when they didn't. I hope so, at least.
One note I would like to remember for next year and to pass on to any other teachers. I began with procedures on the first day and then tried a get-to-know-each-other activity for the second. Don't do this. Instead, switch them. Introduce yourself the first day, maybe with a video or something along those lines. Go over the syllabus and classroom rules, as well as any new rules or new processes or activities the school is introducing that year. Maybe go over the different things like cafeteria procedures, library procedures, etc., for the new students as well. If you want, give them a survey or something about themselves at the end of the hour and maybe for homework. Save your procedures for the second day, and make sure you drill them on them all hour - give them each something to do, such as write them down or act them out. They really aren't ready to simply sit and listen all hour without being involved themselves - at least that was my experience. The last day I gave them an assignment to do on their own (we only 3 days that first week), but even this was a struggle for some of the classes. They really needed direct instruction the entire hour in order to stay on task. Now some could handle it, but even those classes were a little talkative, it being the last day of school the first week. I have a few adjustments to make on my beginning lesson plans for next year now, and for next week as well, but I feel that overall it was fairly productive, and I am beginning to get bluff in. Oh, and did I mention I made a few students come clean my room at lunch Friday for their behavior Thursday? Yeah, I'm a mean teacher. And one of them didn't even come. If he wasn't alreay in trouble for another teacher, he's going to have a fun two days at lunch! I am dying to create positive relationships, but I am quickly learning that they need to learn their part in the relationship and how to behave in a class of 25 kids before that is going to be possible. Can't wait for next week and more staying on them about procedures! They'll get it. It may take a while, but that's why we do this, right? Because it's one of the most difficult jobs in the world, and only a special few can truly handle making a difference in the lives of 128 students every day. Bring it on!
So, last week on Thursday, we found a rent house - extremely quick, concerning Dell had only had his job for a week! Friday, Mom, Dell and I (yes, my parents are EXTREMELY happy that we moved back - they have both been over nearly every day this week to help in some way) cleaned the rent house, and Saturday, Dell's aunt, uncle, 2 cousins and grandmother, and my parents all came and helped us move from the City back to my home town. It was CRAZY!!!! But we got moved in, albeit without gas (meaning we did not have hot water - couldn't do laundry, dishes, or take showers at home - don't worry, we took showers at my parents').
Monday I sat through more meetings, still having no clue how the things they kept telling us were going to play out in the actual classroom, and Tuesday I got the ENTIRE DAY to prepare my room! It really seemed like I wasn't getting much done, but when I looked back at my list, I really had gotten more than I realized, thankfully. One key point, the SMARTboard, was not working as I did not have access to the adapter that fits from the plug into the Mac. So, all the things I had planned to put on that board had to be moved to the dry erase board. Flexibility, you know. I borrowed one from my fellow teacher, however, whose computer died and who had to bring his own computer to use.
Wednesday was my first day of actual classes. It actually went pretty smoothly. We only had one fight at lunch, the kids thought my knighthood theme was lame and didn't even know what the term chivalry meant, and most of the classes stayed on task.
Thursday was a different story. Three of my five core classes (I have one enrichment class at the end of the day) were absolutely awful. It being an emotional, stressful time for me, I broke down at lunch, thankfully not in front of my classes, but thanks to the support of my fellow team teachers, especially my supervising teacher (bless her!) I got it under control and realized I cannot allow them to sit idle or do work completely on their own at this point at all. If I do, I will have shouting and paper wads flying across the room. Oh, yes, they are VERY mature. I made it through the day, though, and even went back on Friday! I do have to admit that the thought crossed my mind that I don't HAVE to do this job, but it didn't last long. I was determined to last the year, if for no other reason than to spite my students. It was not really a matter of being bothered by the students' behavior, or letting their smart-alec comments get to me. I knew it was going to be like that. I was more frustrated with myself for not figuring out how to deal with the situation better. By the third awful class I finally figured out a fun assignment of making them write down the procedures as I read them aloud - you should have heard the complaining. I also found I had to remember my own procedures - if I wanted them to raise their hands to ask a question, I had to make them raise their hand and wait on me to call on them before I answered the question. By the end of the hour, I had made them raise their hands and repeat their questions enough that they finally began to get it a little. It was tough and gruelling, but it started to work.
Friday. It was a little better. I played catch-up with my first two awful classes, and their complaining was just as bad at having to write procedures as the class from the day before. Oh, and I loved how the class who was throwing paper wads was "in the eighth grade now and too mature to have to write procedures now." They're going to have a nice surprise when I spend my entire weekend making sure they wrote everything down word for word and took off points when they didn't. I hope so, at least.
One note I would like to remember for next year and to pass on to any other teachers. I began with procedures on the first day and then tried a get-to-know-each-other activity for the second. Don't do this. Instead, switch them. Introduce yourself the first day, maybe with a video or something along those lines. Go over the syllabus and classroom rules, as well as any new rules or new processes or activities the school is introducing that year. Maybe go over the different things like cafeteria procedures, library procedures, etc., for the new students as well. If you want, give them a survey or something about themselves at the end of the hour and maybe for homework. Save your procedures for the second day, and make sure you drill them on them all hour - give them each something to do, such as write them down or act them out. They really aren't ready to simply sit and listen all hour without being involved themselves - at least that was my experience. The last day I gave them an assignment to do on their own (we only 3 days that first week), but even this was a struggle for some of the classes. They really needed direct instruction the entire hour in order to stay on task. Now some could handle it, but even those classes were a little talkative, it being the last day of school the first week. I have a few adjustments to make on my beginning lesson plans for next year now, and for next week as well, but I feel that overall it was fairly productive, and I am beginning to get bluff in. Oh, and did I mention I made a few students come clean my room at lunch Friday for their behavior Thursday? Yeah, I'm a mean teacher. And one of them didn't even come. If he wasn't alreay in trouble for another teacher, he's going to have a fun two days at lunch! I am dying to create positive relationships, but I am quickly learning that they need to learn their part in the relationship and how to behave in a class of 25 kids before that is going to be possible. Can't wait for next week and more staying on them about procedures! They'll get it. It may take a while, but that's why we do this, right? Because it's one of the most difficult jobs in the world, and only a special few can truly handle making a difference in the lives of 128 students every day. Bring it on!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Breaking In
I meant to begin this blog on Monday, but for reasons you will soon see, I was unable to do so. Therefore, I am going to break this down into 3 sections.
Monday, August 10
This was to be the day I went to the school for the first time employed exclusively as an 8th-grade English teacher. (My other job ended last Friday.) However, at 11:30 p.m., Sunday night, I woke up to a screaming pain in my back. My wonderful husband drove me to the emergency room as soon as I could move, where we waited 2 hours without being seen. It had settled down enough by then that we left, and my husband insisted that I go with him to the town where he works (which also happens to be where I grew up and where my family still lives.) So, while he went to work, my mother and I looked for houses (my husband's job requires us to move to that town), and at 5, I finally got to see a physician's assistant. Turns out it was an old tennis injury flaring up, and just a stiff muscle. We did find a few houses we wanted to see, though.
Tuesday, August 11
We got to see the houses tonight, but we didn't like the one, and the one I absolutely LOVED, of course had to have potential termite and water problems. So, we came home at 9:30 p.m., and I have yet to even get my keys at the school!
Wednesday, August 12
I finally got to go to the school! Well, actually, I had to, since our first day of new-teacher training started at 8. It was actually pretty good. I was still drugged up on pain-killers, steroids, and muscle relaxers, so I'm sure people thought I was being rude and trying not to fall asleep during their presentations, but I was impressed with how well the other 40 new teachers listened - usually teachers are the WORST about listening during a speech or presentation. I signed up for NEA, and even got to go to my room, although I need to figure out why I can't log on to my computer and still need to get my keys. Not bad, though. Hopefully tomorrow will be even better, and I will meet my husband again to look at rent houses this time. Theh sooner we are able to move, the better!
Monday, August 10
This was to be the day I went to the school for the first time employed exclusively as an 8th-grade English teacher. (My other job ended last Friday.) However, at 11:30 p.m., Sunday night, I woke up to a screaming pain in my back. My wonderful husband drove me to the emergency room as soon as I could move, where we waited 2 hours without being seen. It had settled down enough by then that we left, and my husband insisted that I go with him to the town where he works (which also happens to be where I grew up and where my family still lives.) So, while he went to work, my mother and I looked for houses (my husband's job requires us to move to that town), and at 5, I finally got to see a physician's assistant. Turns out it was an old tennis injury flaring up, and just a stiff muscle. We did find a few houses we wanted to see, though.
Tuesday, August 11
We got to see the houses tonight, but we didn't like the one, and the one I absolutely LOVED, of course had to have potential termite and water problems. So, we came home at 9:30 p.m., and I have yet to even get my keys at the school!
Wednesday, August 12
I finally got to go to the school! Well, actually, I had to, since our first day of new-teacher training started at 8. It was actually pretty good. I was still drugged up on pain-killers, steroids, and muscle relaxers, so I'm sure people thought I was being rude and trying not to fall asleep during their presentations, but I was impressed with how well the other 40 new teachers listened - usually teachers are the WORST about listening during a speech or presentation. I signed up for NEA, and even got to go to my room, although I need to figure out why I can't log on to my computer and still need to get my keys. Not bad, though. Hopefully tomorrow will be even better, and I will meet my husband again to look at rent houses this time. Theh sooner we are able to move, the better!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Life
Today is a personal blog day - the kind of day when I like to think I have something profound to say, but when, in reality, I really just need to sort something out for myself.
Today is the day of my first teacher interview of the season. I need a job. I want a job that will make a difference, not one in which I sit around and answer phones all day. I want to do something meaningful in my life.
The problem is, ever since I got married and moved away from nearly everyone I know and all the connections I had formed, I feel like I've been separated from the real world. I love my husband and would follow him anywhere, but I am really beginning to feel a need to branch out on my own and have my own reason for getting up every morning (and as much as I love grad school, studying is just not cutting it anymore).
And yet I feel anxious, too. Is this what I'm supposed to be doing? Why hasn't anything happened sooner? I've become so caught up in the short-term that it is difficult for me to look at the long-term again.
So, anyway, today at 3:15 I will have my first of hopefully several interviews for a position as a secondary English teacher. Wherever I end up, I hope it is because I am supposed to be there and not because I made it happen when it wasn't supposed to. I just want some meaning back in my life!
Today is the day of my first teacher interview of the season. I need a job. I want a job that will make a difference, not one in which I sit around and answer phones all day. I want to do something meaningful in my life.
The problem is, ever since I got married and moved away from nearly everyone I know and all the connections I had formed, I feel like I've been separated from the real world. I love my husband and would follow him anywhere, but I am really beginning to feel a need to branch out on my own and have my own reason for getting up every morning (and as much as I love grad school, studying is just not cutting it anymore).
And yet I feel anxious, too. Is this what I'm supposed to be doing? Why hasn't anything happened sooner? I've become so caught up in the short-term that it is difficult for me to look at the long-term again.
So, anyway, today at 3:15 I will have my first of hopefully several interviews for a position as a secondary English teacher. Wherever I end up, I hope it is because I am supposed to be there and not because I made it happen when it wasn't supposed to. I just want some meaning back in my life!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Why Write?
To continue the English-themed blogs, I thought I'd ramble about the difficulty I have been having writing my latest paper.
Writing is always difficult for me. Some people can sit down and spit out a 3-page paper in 30 minutes, but I simply cannot do that. I have to agonize over my subject for a while, then gather information, then agonize some more. Then write an outline, with a vague thesis and a detailed body (including every quotation and main point and sub point). At some point during this outlining it will all suddenly click, and I will sit down and write the rough draft from start to finish, then go back over it for the next few days, paragraph by paragraph, to make sure everything lines up, connects, and says what I want to say.
True, I have produced some positive-remark-earning papers over the years, but recently I can't help but wonder why in the world I go to such lengths and through such anxiety just to produce one paper. It doesn't always seem worth it to me. I feel like there are so many other things I could be doing with my time, so many other things I could be writing - things I actually care about. It's not that I mind writing the paper, it's just that for me, personally, I cannot write a good paper unless I do all these things, and I am enough of a perfectionist not to do them. Ahhhhh! Is it REALLY worth it????? I know, just ranting.
Writing is always difficult for me. Some people can sit down and spit out a 3-page paper in 30 minutes, but I simply cannot do that. I have to agonize over my subject for a while, then gather information, then agonize some more. Then write an outline, with a vague thesis and a detailed body (including every quotation and main point and sub point). At some point during this outlining it will all suddenly click, and I will sit down and write the rough draft from start to finish, then go back over it for the next few days, paragraph by paragraph, to make sure everything lines up, connects, and says what I want to say.
True, I have produced some positive-remark-earning papers over the years, but recently I can't help but wonder why in the world I go to such lengths and through such anxiety just to produce one paper. It doesn't always seem worth it to me. I feel like there are so many other things I could be doing with my time, so many other things I could be writing - things I actually care about. It's not that I mind writing the paper, it's just that for me, personally, I cannot write a good paper unless I do all these things, and I am enough of a perfectionist not to do them. Ahhhhh! Is it REALLY worth it????? I know, just ranting.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Why Read?
For you fellow English majors, this question may seem ridiculous, as life would seem incomplete without books and the experiences they have to share. But what about the rest of the population? How do we share our passion for literature with those less-passionate? How do we convince them of the importance of the written word and, more importantly, of the story that may or may not be set in real life?
Reading is good for the brain. Good reading, the close, critical kind, teaches us how to analyze what people say, whether orally or in writing, and makes us better-equipped citizens, ready to take part in the civic realm. This is a good argument for why we need to keep literature in schools, but surely others would agree with me that the true reward to be found in literature goes far beyond this.
The best explanation I have found is here.
Reading is about more than simply learning to sound out new words and evaluating the effectiveness of a social argument. It is about life. And without it, that life is sorely incomplete.
Reading is good for the brain. Good reading, the close, critical kind, teaches us how to analyze what people say, whether orally or in writing, and makes us better-equipped citizens, ready to take part in the civic realm. This is a good argument for why we need to keep literature in schools, but surely others would agree with me that the true reward to be found in literature goes far beyond this.
The best explanation I have found is here.
Reading is about more than simply learning to sound out new words and evaluating the effectiveness of a social argument. It is about life. And without it, that life is sorely incomplete.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Uncompromising Faith - Do We Really Want It?
Uncompromising Faith
Every time I hear this phrase, I think, "Yeah! That's what I want to have!" But this article opened my eyes to an interesting point of view on the subject, especially in relation to the economy right now.
Among the several points this article makes, one that stood out to me is that we are all quick to point fingers when the economy is bad. I have to admit, I have been guilty of this myself. I don't agree with massive borrowing when we really have no immediate guarantee that we will be able to pay it back any time soon, and, so, I have been rather embarrassingly hasty to blame lawmakers and big investors for the current crisis.
I have also thought that, because I am a newly-married graduate student still looking to establish myself in the employment world, I am somehow exempt from having to share my wealth with those less fortunate. That is the job of those who own boats and large SUVs and can obviously afford much more than I can even in this money crunch. However, this article states that if you own a house, a car, and a washing machine, you are in the top 2%, wealth-wise, in the world. I have to admit, I fall into that category (well, kind of - technically we're renting a house, but that's another story).
It's amazing to imagine that even I, with the small income that my husband and I share, am called to be an example of kindness and generosity in this present economic situation. Instead of becoming proud in my self-pity, as the article says, I need to push that thought aside, thank God for what He has given me, and be a good steward as a result.
Every time I hear this phrase, I think, "Yeah! That's what I want to have!" But this article opened my eyes to an interesting point of view on the subject, especially in relation to the economy right now.
Among the several points this article makes, one that stood out to me is that we are all quick to point fingers when the economy is bad. I have to admit, I have been guilty of this myself. I don't agree with massive borrowing when we really have no immediate guarantee that we will be able to pay it back any time soon, and, so, I have been rather embarrassingly hasty to blame lawmakers and big investors for the current crisis.
I have also thought that, because I am a newly-married graduate student still looking to establish myself in the employment world, I am somehow exempt from having to share my wealth with those less fortunate. That is the job of those who own boats and large SUVs and can obviously afford much more than I can even in this money crunch. However, this article states that if you own a house, a car, and a washing machine, you are in the top 2%, wealth-wise, in the world. I have to admit, I fall into that category (well, kind of - technically we're renting a house, but that's another story).
It's amazing to imagine that even I, with the small income that my husband and I share, am called to be an example of kindness and generosity in this present economic situation. Instead of becoming proud in my self-pity, as the article says, I need to push that thought aside, thank God for what He has given me, and be a good steward as a result.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Smaller Learning Communities
I am, perhaps, going to become a secondary English teacher someday (I hope!), and as I have been looking over recent job openings for the fall, I came across something new. It is something called Smaller Learning Communities, and, as far as I can tell, it allows students to create a more intimate school experience, much like that of small schools. I, personally like the idea. It seems to have all sorts of great implications, such as allowing teachers to work more one-on-one with students, helping students to feel more cared about at the school (hopefully preventing more Columbine shootings and other such circumstances), etc. I can think of a few negative ideas that might go along with this, too, though, such as the power of smaller schools to create tremendous peer pressure and its tendancy to ostricize outcasts.
Here are some links with more information.
http://www.cnpschools.org/choctawHS/SLC.htm
http://www.cnpschools.org/curriculum/smallerLearningCommunities.htm
Maybe you are a teacher in one of these communities, or perhaps you were a student who experienced it. Or maybe, like me, the idea is new to you. Regardless your situation, what are your thoughts on the subject?
Here are some links with more information.
http://www.cnpschools.org/choctawHS/SLC.htm
http://www.cnpschools.org/curriculum/smallerLearningCommunities.htm
Maybe you are a teacher in one of these communities, or perhaps you were a student who experienced it. Or maybe, like me, the idea is new to you. Regardless your situation, what are your thoughts on the subject?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Too Happy, Too Pretty, Too Clean
Over spring break I had the chance to visit with some relatives here on vacation from their home in Caernarfon, Wales. The topic, of course, centered on the similarities and differences between the UK and the USA, and we narrowed the islanders' view of those of us "across the pond" down to the thoughts that we in the States are considered to be too happy, too pretty (in view of our straight teeth), and too clean (they tend to look like they simply rolled out of bed and went to work).
My first response was to scoff at the absurdity of this view. Who would ever think these three things would evoke scorn and derision? After all, aren't they all positive attributes? Surely the UK's negative approach to us was based on jealousy. But then my dad made the comment that while we prefer these three things, they prefer their own way of life. After all, there is something comforting in the familiar, even if it is less than paradise.
I visited with my relatives in the tiny town of Donna, Texas, the temporary home of hundreds of "winter Texans," my granddad among them. As we talked about the levels of depression in Europe and the month Europeans get off from work due to "stress," we sat in the sunshine, admiring the palm trees and beautiful exotic plants. Knowing that those flowers would never survive the unpredictable Oklahoma weather, I just couldn't bring myself to want to live among the palm trees. It was too foreign, promising excitement, but not the stability that comes from weathering storms and surviving the winter. I imagine it must be similar for citizens in the United Kingdom. They are used to the weather. They may suffer from light deprivation or weather-induced depression, but that is what they know. They are also used to different ideas. We prefer to be happy, pretty, and clean, while they prefer a different appearance. Now, I know that there is much more to the differences between the two countries and the reasons underlying them than what I have pointed out here, but what I am trying to get at is that I should not be so quick to criticize their ways of thinking. They are, after all, foreign, and while I may like to visit their country and learn that not everyone is the same (or like me), I prefer to stick with the familiar, good, bad, and all, and I would hope that, though it the two are very different, they are just as proud of and satisfied with their country as I am proud of and happy in mine.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Call Me Old-Fashioned
Call me old-fashioned, but I wish modern evangelical churches would reinstate a bit of the reverence traditionally held in mainstream denominations. Yes, we should be free to worship and praise God with singing, dancing, and rejoicing when he has done a great work in our lives. But we should never forget our proper place in our relationship with the King.
In scripture, Jesus is called the King of kings, a title which originated when King Xerxes (Esther's hubby) first established his expansive Persian empire. It was a title of great position and power, the ultimate of both being found in Jesus, himself.
The most touching image in this metaphor for me is the idea that we are constantly in a spiritual battle. The king is sending us out to do his bidding, to advance his kingdom, and we, his soldiers, commanders, what have you, are to follow his orders to the utmost degree. This does not mean we will never fail, but it means that we put our whole effort into the battle, and when we fall, we pick ourselves up and report again for duty. Jesus is not our "homeboy." He is our Commander-In-Chief. Let us dance before him in celebration when the time is right, but let us never forget the power and glory of the one who commands the universe.
In scripture, Jesus is called the King of kings, a title which originated when King Xerxes (Esther's hubby) first established his expansive Persian empire. It was a title of great position and power, the ultimate of both being found in Jesus, himself.
The most touching image in this metaphor for me is the idea that we are constantly in a spiritual battle. The king is sending us out to do his bidding, to advance his kingdom, and we, his soldiers, commanders, what have you, are to follow his orders to the utmost degree. This does not mean we will never fail, but it means that we put our whole effort into the battle, and when we fall, we pick ourselves up and report again for duty. Jesus is not our "homeboy." He is our Commander-In-Chief. Let us dance before him in celebration when the time is right, but let us never forget the power and glory of the one who commands the universe.
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