Five weeks ago, I started sixth grade for the second time in my short life. (check out the pre-first day pics) It has been a trip, and I am truly grateful for what God is continuously blessing me with through this job. I was skeptical in August when I got the job. I was dubious on day 2 when the kids were still leaving my class at the end of the period and coming back just to say thanks. I was still hung up on finding some hitch. There have been a thousand different warnings from various people about random, unrelated things at this new place.But God has been unyielding in his blessings.
I am not coming home stressed and crying every night-- not an unfamiliar or infrequent occurrence last year. I don't have any TMJ, any heart palps and not one parent has called to have me fired. Kids are still happy with me, despite the grades that went out today. I have, for once in my life, been completely excited to celebrate my birthday at school. Elementary was full of rejection, middle was awkward avoidance of real issues, and high school was short lived. Last year, the eighth graders literally could not care less. Two months in last year I was receiving death threats, parents calling to tell me I'm a horrible teacher, and students calling me unbelievable names.
I received little respect for my iron hand. This year it seems i've successfully slipped on the velvet glove.
I am excited and a little scared for Back to School Night and Shadow Your Student Day (really, who thought of that one!?), but I am ready in the sense that I know not all the students and their parents are out to literally defame my character outright and unabashedly. I look forward to meeting new people, making myself vulnerable, all while knowing that parents are parents- they're out for the best for their child, not for my job or my character.
I had a little breakdown a few weeks ago, when BTSA, school, and my Masters program all started to pick up. I was frazzled, not knowing when things were happening, constantly stressed that I was missing some meeting or late on some personal assignment. But God came through again, through Levi. He set up my outlook, added in my appointments, and synced it with my phone. I'm cured. I'm not stressed. I am completely organized and so far, staying on top of deadlines and haven't missed any meetings yet. I've also finally mastered the art of planning ahead for classes, and setting the room before I leave for the day. All copies are made, all papers are graded, all agenda items are written up just above the homework. The class calendar is filled out, the due dates are posted and the PowerPoints are made to be shown on the board in the morning. I have no time in the morning to do anything, arriving usually just 15 minutes before class begins, but I'm not stressed in the morning since it is all set the day before.
God is good.
