This comes from a journal back in August of 2009...
In light of trying to "journal" with my kiddos at school, some thoughts have come to mind that I think the teacher heart would appreciate. ♥
Okay, so all of us who are teachers know that someday we could write a book about our experiences in the classroom that would bring tears of laughter (or sometimes just tears) to our readers' eyes. Today was such a day in my third grade classroom for MANY different reasons, but as I reflect on the day, one little moment comes to the surface as an unexpected example of God's provision of levity and laughter amid the storm.
There's always that one kiddo- you know, the one who no matter what you ask, always does the opposite? Sits when he's supposed to be standing, runs when he's supposed to walking, talks when he's supposed to be listening, just generally makes every day more challenging? Well, once in a while, a teacher is blessed to have "that one kiddo", only one with lots more challenges. Here is where that moment of light comes in...
Following our morning meeting today, I was reading to my class "The Best School Year Ever", by Barbara Robinson. We were very caught up in the antics of the Herdman kids- if you haven't read the book, you really should!- and my class was quite shocked by all the things the Herdmans did...bite people, steal baby brothers and tattoo their heads with markers, catch things on fire, walk their crazy cat on a chain, among other silliness. Now remember "that one student" in my class? The one who challenges me basically every minute of every day? Well, as I was reading, my little friend was being quite a little booger in "his corner" and was beginning to draw some attention from his classmates. A little girl sitting directly at my feet- a former management school attendee who is working her hardest to "be good"- said to me with wonder in her voice, "Hey, we have a Herdman in OUR class!". Hooray for a text to self connection! Of course, she realized- with the help of my "teacher look", although I admit I was laughing inside- that she shouldn't really say something like that, but God bless her, we were all thinking it! :)
So the brightest part of this moment for me came when this little girl, who was a booger herself for many years, finally got to realize that she's not the Herdman in our class. The juxtaposition of her demeanor of not very long ago side by side with our little challenger of this year was a stark contrast. And all those good choices she worked so hard to make added up to one of the best phone calls home I've ever gotten to be a part of...a little girl telling her family she's been good for 5 whole days! That far exceeds the lenght of time a Herdman could ever be good!
So thank heaven for small blessings; today's was a precious reminder that even the ones who you want to give up on can certainly grow in character when that seed is watered! I pray that you all have a sweet reminder in your classrooms or homes or interactions with children in the next few days...love those life lessons God teaches us through our children!
Okay, so all of us who are teachers know that someday we could write a book about our experiences in the classroom that would bring tears of laughter (or sometimes just tears) to our readers' eyes. Today was such a day in my third grade classroom for MANY different reasons, but as I reflect on the day, one little moment comes to the surface as an unexpected example of God's provision of levity and laughter amid the storm.
There's always that one kiddo- you know, the one who no matter what you ask, always does the opposite? Sits when he's supposed to be standing, runs when he's supposed to walking, talks when he's supposed to be listening, just generally makes every day more challenging? Well, once in a while, a teacher is blessed to have "that one kiddo", only one with lots more challenges. Here is where that moment of light comes in...
Following our morning meeting today, I was reading to my class "The Best School Year Ever", by Barbara Robinson. We were very caught up in the antics of the Herdman kids- if you haven't read the book, you really should!- and my class was quite shocked by all the things the Herdmans did...bite people, steal baby brothers and tattoo their heads with markers, catch things on fire, walk their crazy cat on a chain, among other silliness. Now remember "that one student" in my class? The one who challenges me basically every minute of every day? Well, as I was reading, my little friend was being quite a little booger in "his corner" and was beginning to draw some attention from his classmates. A little girl sitting directly at my feet- a former management school attendee who is working her hardest to "be good"- said to me with wonder in her voice, "Hey, we have a Herdman in OUR class!". Hooray for a text to self connection! Of course, she realized- with the help of my "teacher look", although I admit I was laughing inside- that she shouldn't really say something like that, but God bless her, we were all thinking it! :)
So the brightest part of this moment for me came when this little girl, who was a booger herself for many years, finally got to realize that she's not the Herdman in our class. The juxtaposition of her demeanor of not very long ago side by side with our little challenger of this year was a stark contrast. And all those good choices she worked so hard to make added up to one of the best phone calls home I've ever gotten to be a part of...a little girl telling her family she's been good for 5 whole days! That far exceeds the lenght of time a Herdman could ever be good!
So thank heaven for small blessings; today's was a precious reminder that even the ones who you want to give up on can certainly grow in character when that seed is watered! I pray that you all have a sweet reminder in your classrooms or homes or interactions with children in the next few days...love those life lessons God teaches us through our children!
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