The latter is the focus of today's post. Lots of words have been running through my thoughts this morning, so I thought I'd share a few.
This is boring!
I'm sure many parents are going to hear this one frequently over the coming weeks. To me, it's one of the worse things for me to hear my students say. Why? Because it means my effort to create an engaging lesson has fallen short for at least that one student. However, I can choose how I react. I can confront the comment or use it to jump-start my next effort to improve the next lesson.
I'm going to miss you, Miss P.
On the other hand, this is one of the sweetest comments I've heard over the past two weeks. It seems my lively classroom that struggled with self-control did have a positive impact on some students. Over the past two weeks, several of my kiddos started becoming a bit clingy and saddened when the end of the year was mentioned. In fact, on the last day, after I waited out a noisy outburst, I read "Last Day Blues". One of my girls told me it wasn't a nice story to read. When I asked why, she explained, "The kids made her (the teacher) a present and told her they'd miss her, and the teacher was too happy about being on break." I explained that regardless of how much a teacher loves her students and enjoys her job that EVEN teachers are excited about summer break. That didn't make much difference in her opinion about the book. Seems no matter how much I tell them that they'll be missed and they can come see me in the fall that students want to see that their teacher will be devastated by their departure from her daily life.
I hope I'm in your room, Miss Pflaumer!
This may be one of the sweetest comments I heard over the last nine-weeks. At least once a week, a second grader would look at me and say, "I want to be in your third grade class". Some would simply emphatically declare that they WILL be in my class. Not sure if they know something that I don't , if they have psychic skills (lol), or if they are hoping it comes true. Then, there were parents who would utter the just as encouraging comment, "I know a second grader who really hopes she's in your room" or "I hope my son is in your class next year." Those comments always make my day. It means I must be doing something right...at least I hope that's what it means.
Whatever!
I believe the final time I heard that word with the accompanying eye-roll was Wednesday, May 18, after recess. When attempting to talk down a volatile situation, the word came out, the head turned, and eyes rolled. Sadly, that triggers my inner beast like the color red in a bull ring! After a few quick breaths to calm myself, I was able to wait and calm the child. Hand on his shoulder, I sent him off to special class with a pep talk. "I know you had a bad morning, but let's have a great afternoon." Here's hoping...
I love reading your writing...
Well, as an elementary teacher who ADORES words, this may be one of those non-teaching compliments that makes my heart smile the most. Whether it's Facebook posts, Sunday School e-mails, note cards, or a blog post...I try to use that love of writing to encourage others.
Why does your hair look different today?
This was uttered by the same student who said "whatever", but this one made me chuckle. On our last day of school, we enjoyed PTO Field Day. So, we're going inside the school and outside on the playground and school lawn. So, my hair was not at it's best. So, as this student was reading the note I wrote him in his autograph booklet, he questioned, "Why does your hair look different today than in that picture?" So, I chuckled, literally out loud, and said, "Well, that was a good hair day and this is a windy frizzy hair day." This made a few of them chuckle...including me.
I prayed for you...
Whether it's a student's parent who tells me they prayed their child would be in my class...
Whether it's a secret pal who shares that she prayed for me throughout the school year...
Whether it's a friend on the telephone who offers to pray with me as we're talking back during our college years....
Knowing that someone who shares your faith is praying to the One who holds me in His hand is lifting me up...just makes my heart smile.
Yes, words are powerful. But, as I pack up my teacher's desk, I see all the Word that I have on magnets stuck to my metal teacher's desk...
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." Philippians 4:11
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17
What do your words say about you?
