Today a child in my class jabbed me in the eye by mistake.
There was no reprimand, no telling-off…it was utterly hilarious and we couldn’t stop laughing.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - I would be exactly the sort of teacher that most teachers dread.
I have been asked at short notice to teach a Music and then a French lesson for a Year 5 class this afternoon.
Headteacher: You can teach the lesson on whatever you want.
*SOLD*
My favourite kind - an afternoon of French quizzes and being rockstars it is, then.
:)
My class of children have had an important and decisive week of tests this week, so I have been sure to hold them up in prayer.
Today is their last exam, and the child I have been reading/scribing has done so well considering his natural ability and progress throughout the year.
It’s a wonderful feeling, knowing that God has given me the opportunity to sow into that boy’s life at such a crucial time.
Thankyou Lord for bringing out the best in him this week…now let’s BOSS this final day of tests - Amen!!
:D
Can I just make it clear that for all the downsides of my job (of which there are several),
the majority of the children I work with more than make up for it.
There are a handful of children in this place that absolutely light up my spirit with their conversation, enormous hearts and the glow of promising futures that I see in them.
Does the fact that our education system does not encourage investing in children in such a way within a school setting dwindle my motivation to keep on doing it anyway?
Not in the slightest.
Say what you like about my professional conduct, but tending to young hearts trumps teaching the basics of Google Sketchup and Jamaican tourism in my book.
A girl in my class was getting her lunchbox and her water bottle broke, spilling the entire contents all over the floor. She promptly burst into floods of tears.
Upset children with hurty hearts gives Shaun a hurty heart.
*something must be done*
“Elizabeth, I know I said I wanted a swimming pool but you didn’t have to go and do that.”
Teary-eyed children laughing gives Shaun a happy heart.
Take that, sadness.
Is there any sort of job I could get into that centres around working with children, where the focus is pastoral rather than educational and I don’t need to have trained as a teacher?
I’m finding now that I am not fussed about showing them facts so much as I want to show them their value to God, love them and invest in their lives in a way that the rules of the education system don’t allow.
My heart is very much for this, and God knows that.
I am looking to a change of season, a change of work, and perhaps a change of scenery also…
Oh my heart.
So many spend all year counting down to it,
some don’t even notice it creeping up because they’re caught up with their work,
and very few dislike it.
I am one of the very few.
As excited as I may be about getting my new class in September (another class whom I worked with in Year 3), I hate goodbyes in the best of scenarios, and this class in particular will be hard to let go. Today I have literally waved (and hugged) goodbye to a part of my life. It might seem ridiculous, or maybe even creepy to some, the idea of children being so close to my heart,
but the perception of others is irrelevant.
These 30 children helped me to settle into a job, an entire environment, that I was completely new to. They were kind, helpful, and in some cases hilarious, which made getting accustomed to my role much easier.
These last 4 years I have seen them grow up so much, some more than others, and it will genuinely leave a gaping hole now that they are going.
I’m rambling.
I brought in a shirt for them all to sign, I failed in my attempts to remain tear-free.
Does that make me overly-sensitive? A pansy in the eyes of those who consider themselves the Alpha males of my generation?
If so i’m fine with that.
I love my job and I love these kids. They light up my life in a way many my own age fail to do because they’re too caught up with their own agendas…whereas all these children want to do is be your friend and show you love.
No wonder we are called to come like little children.
Year 6 Leaver’s Disco - best night I’ve had in a long time. They’re amazing young people, I work with wonderful staff, and I honestly feel so humbled having them in my life…going to miss the children terribly. #work #school #Disco #glowstick #children #emotional #love #ihave10yearoldswhoifeelabetterconnectionwiththanmostmyownage (Taken with Instagram)
My children have got a ‘Money Day’, with workers from a local bank coming in to talk to them about budgeting, and generally making better use of whatever finances they might have at the age of 11.
Made me think of this scripture -
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” - Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
Are you chasing after fame and fortune? Seeking to be the next J.K. Rowling of the literary world, or a Hollywood star/starlet, living it up in your hilltop mansion and driving that dream sports car with your name on the license plate? If so, be sure to keep your sights fixated on God the whole time.
Be careful, friend. Fame can often come at a cost.
:)
