PAGES OF LOVE
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

Back to School

8/7/2016

8 Comments

 
Picture
As a kid, I remember feeling excited, but also a little anxious to start each school year. I was excited to go shopping for new clothes and school supplies, but I was anxious about meeting my new teacher(s) and classmates.  
 
Now that I’m a teacher, the start of a new school year brings these same emotions, but for different reasons. I still get excited shopping for school supplies – especially when the Target dollar bins are full of school stuff – but what I’m most excited about is meeting my new group of students. This is also the part that makes me feel anxious. Why?
 
Teaching is so much more than helping kids reach their academic goals. It’s also helping them learn how to treat others with love and respect. It’s helping them understand that they are loved and have something unique to offer the world. Teaching is a challenge and a huge responsibility, but it’s also an incredible privilege and the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.  
 
Most teachers will tell you they feel anxious and overwhelmed at the beginning of the school year, and that is because we care so much. We understand the importance of our job and want to do everything we can to make sure our students have an enjoyable and successful year. This is why we are willing to spend days/weeks getting our classrooms ready and hours planning lessons each week. It’s also why we continue to think about our students even after the dismissal bell rings.  
 
Some people may be surprised to learn that I don’t have any control over who gets placed in my class, and I honestly prefer it that way. When I receive my class list, I get excited, as I believe that each student was placed in my class for a reason. God chose me to be their teacher. These are the kids that I get to invest in and love. Having that perspective has changed the way I approach each day, and it encourages me on those really challenging days.  
 
Since I’m a public school teacher, I can’t pray with my students at school, but I can still pray for them. Once I have a class list, I start praying for them by name. Driving to work each day I typically pray, “God, help me to be the teacher my students need today.” It’s a simple prayer, but it has proven to be effective. I also rely on help and insight from my incredible co-workers. They help me be a better teacher.
 
Another school year is about to begin. A new group of students will walk through the door and it will no longer be my classroom, but our classroom. I’m so thankful that I was chosen to share it with them.

​“What I love most about my classroom is who I share it with.” ~ Anonymous 
8 Comments
Lisa Young
8/8/2016 06:39:51 am

Love this!

Reply
Julie
8/13/2016 11:08:18 pm

Thanks, Lisa. I hope your kids have a great school year.

Reply
Mary Ellen link
8/8/2016 08:47:13 am

I wish I had a Ms.Thompson when I was in the second grade. You love your kids but I bet they love you too!

Reply
Julie
8/13/2016 11:07:25 pm

I hope so! I love all the hand-written notes and drawings I have received over the years. They always make me smile.

Reply
ANDREA MAURICE
8/9/2016 06:06:21 pm

Hola Jewels,

Thank you for your kind words. It is so nice to connect with other teachers because we really do share a common bond.

There have been so many times where I take my classroom into my home. It is challenging to keep school life at school because we are working on relationships with human beings.

One time I asked students if they believed that they had to like the teacher in order to like the subject - their answer was a simple yes.

So while I know that not all students will love the subject of Spanish, I work on opening my heart to all of them so that they may also open theirs.

Reply
Julie
8/13/2016 10:55:49 pm

Hola Andrea!
I love how honest kids are. I also believe kids are more motivated to learn if they have a positive connection with their teacher. Your students are lucky to have you as their Spanish teacher.

Reply
Andrea Goslee
8/9/2016 08:33:16 pm

I LOVE the prayer you pray for your students each day, Julie!

Reply
Julie
8/13/2016 10:58:04 pm

Some days require a little more prayer than others. :)

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.


    Join My E-mail List

    About  Julie
    I'm an ordinary introvert who loves an extraordinary God.

    Categories

    All
    Abuse
    Books
    Faith
    Fear
    Gluten Free
    Loss
    Poetry
    Relationships
    Teaching
    Things I Love


    RSS Feed


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

Home

About

Contact

Copyright © 2016
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact