Skip to main content

Day 151: Be Flexible and Find Joy!


August 13, 2020


If you’re not a teacher, I hope you can read this and apply it to your own daily life in some way.  Here is something that I believe about teaching:  A teacher who is in control of herself and her emotional responses to children, is in control of her classroom.  This results in a positive environment for the students and the teacher and every type of learning (academic, social and emotional) takes place.   As teachers, it is vital to remember that we set the tone in our classroom.  We all have bad days, but it is our responsibility, to ourselves, our colleagues and our students to persevere in our quest for joy.  Flexibility is key.  (Picture Disney’s Mrs. Incredible)  If we stand flat footed and immoveable as we face each day’s challenges, those “flying objects” will knock us down.  But if we can stretch and bend as we attempt to juggle the inevitable “joy stealing” events that roll through our day, their impact on us is less.  Preserving our hope, joy and inner peace is essential because all these things are contagious to those around us.  I hope that even though I must “mask my face”, I will find ways this school year to “unmask my heart” and connect with these children who are experiencing so much upheaval in their lives at such a young age.  In this year, more than any other, there is the potential for helping children grow emotionally as well as academically as all of us navigate the ever changing landscape of this pandemic.  As teachers, it is up to us to step up and be good examples.  We must bring the joy into the classroom. 2 Timothy 1:7 (TLB) says: “For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.”  John 15:11 (NIV) says: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  Romans 12:12 (NIV): “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  I’m praying for your joy and your safety!  Smile and be joyful!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

  There comes a time for most boats when they need their hull scraped free of barnacles.  One website says that “a barnacle-free surface is essential for smooth cruising”.  According to Google, this process is more easily done if the boat is removed from the water.  I guess God thought I needed some maintenance work, as He has dry docked me.  Four weeks ago, I had shoulder surgery.  Apparently, when I do something, I do it up big.  It turned out that I had not only a rotator cuff tear, I also have something called frozen shoulder.  I was shocked when the doctor originally told me I would miss 6 weeks of work.  I told him this is no time for that.  Teaching virtually and in person at the same time is not something that can just be handed over to a substitute teacher, if one can even find a substitute willing to take it on.  When the recovery time was bumped to 12 weeks (thanks, frozen shoulder) I very nearly decided to just live with...
1 comment
Read more

Day 188: Thank a Teacher

These last few weeks have been quite challenging at work as the teachers in my school district have been asked to teach both “face to face” students and “at home” students at the same time. (As in, simultaneously !)   Multi-tasking has always been “a thing” in education, kind of like being a mom, but with more kids (who are not your kids) and less bathroom breaks.   The job description is un-writeable even in “normal” circumstances.   As a teacher I am accustomed to juggling many tasks at the same time.   It is a talent I had (nearly) perfected over time.   This school year my usual act of juggling balls and bowling pins while keeping plates spinning on tall sticks has been upgraded with the addition of chain saws, knives and flaming torches.   (Thank you, technology, learning management software and unstable internet!)   And did I mention I do all this blindfolded?   (while wearing a mask?)   One of my new sayings is “I don’t even know what ...
Post a Comment
Read more

In God We Trust

  Today is election day.   I’ve never seen a political race more closely watched, worried about or polarizing. I am not concerned about the outcome.   The Ruler of the Universe is in control.   On a day when the nation feels so divided, my prayer is that people will remember their “common ground”, the things we can all agree on rather than the things we disagree on.   Disappointment and discord are inevitable whatever the results, throughout the nation, within cities and neighborhoods and unfortunately, even within families.   Days like this one are Satan’s favorite.   He is at the ready with his giant stick to stir the pot of our discontent.   Instead of discontent, let’s fill our pots with all the things we agree upon and treasure.   If each “side” can be gracious and not lash out or boast, Satan will be missing even more of the ingredients needed for his recipe for disaster.   Rather than fanning the flames of discord and fear, perhap...
Post a Comment
Read more