Who Am I?

Who am I?  Where am I?....

Those questions always make me think of a soap opera.  There was a time when I looked forward to sitting down and watching "The Days of Our Lives".  Then the changing of technology prompted my removal of it from my daily watch list...and you know what?  I didn't miss it.  Of course, on a summer day or maybe a snow day, I would happen upon the NBC channel while it was on...and I thought, "Wow!  I can't imagine watching this again."  Now, don't get me wrong...I still enjoy watching Chicago Fire and Quantico and a few other shows each week, but there's no show that holds me captive.

I digress....The actual prompting of this blog was my experience this morning at VBS.  Due to an educational conference on Tuesday & Wednesday, today and Thursday are the only mornings I'll be lending my talents to VBS.  What talent?  Legitimate question...the voices in my head. Ha!

This morning from 10-11:45 I was "Ima Talker" and "Willy Findit".  They are puppets delivering the news during a "time warp" that took kids back to the days of Noah.  Now, I've done puppets for about 20 years, and there are lots of voices in my head.  So, I didn't know which voice was going to "jump out" to bring life to these puppets.

Now, we started with the youngest group, which I didn't interact with.  They met my sidekick who voiced the puppet "Sunny".  But, soon afterward, the kindergarten & first graders wandered into the "ocean" for the lesson.  One student, and I have no clue who since I was hidden behind my puppet corner kept asking, "Are they alive?"  Finally, someone answered and said, "No, they're just puppets."

Then, the second and third graders arrived.  Now some of those kiddos know that "Miss Jodi" generally voices the puppets, so one girl kept saying "hi" to Susie or to Miss Jodi.  At some point, when a new diver said, "Who's back there?" she said, "That's Miss Jodi & someone else."  I chuckled to myself as I assured my sidekick not to worry about disguising her voice since the students wouldn't know she was back there with me.

Finally, the oldest class of 4th-6th graders arrived.  They interacted with the puppets, but they had reached the point in life where the novelty and excitement of puppets have transitioned to an acknowledgement that they were simply story props helping to teach the lesson.

 Who am I?

So, in the span of two hours, I was three people...Miss Jodi, Ima Talker, & Willy Findit.  Then, I focused on being Aunt Jodi and treated my nephew to a Mexican meal for lunch.  By 1:00, I ventured into being Jasper's loyal subject, promptly feeding him when he nipped at my ankles.  Alas, when I finish this post, I'll become Miss Pflaumer a while as I read Motivating Students Who Don't Care in case I can learn a few things to help me improve as a teacher during my 21st year in third grade.  Of course, I'm also "just Jodi" who needs to finish her laundry, wants to finish reading a book, and longs to sneak in a summertime siesta.

Yes, who am I? is not an easy question to answer.  But....

Whose am I?  

That answer is much easier.  I am not a puppet to a puppeteer, but I am the daughter of a King.  I am a follower of the great Jehovah, so I know Who is guiding my steps and hopefully my words.  I am a child of the Father of my Savior.  I am alive...not just now, but I will live eternally.  I am a worshiper of Christ.  I am...His.  I am His all The Days of My Life.  I pray that I never lose the excitement or joy of having Him in my life...that my salvation never becomes just a prop in my story.

Yes, I am His.     Are you?

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.  We implore you on behalf of Christ be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20

Words, Words, Words! How Do You Use Yours?

     As I meander through 302 packing up my books & teaching materials, I'm overwhelmed by two things.  First....the dust bunnies...no, much too big to be bunnies...rambling around the ground like tumbleweeds. Second, the power of words.

     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?

Read the Directions!

Every teacher has experienced the frustration of a student doing a question, problem, or an entire assignment incorrectly for one simple reason.  That reason?
They chose NOT to read the directions, assuming that they already knew what they needed to do.
Or maybe....
Maybe they just are too busy or too unfocused to decide to do what they know they should?

When I ask my students, "Why did you mark that answer?" or "Why did you get it wrong?"  They generally respond with, "I didn't read directions," or "I didn't read the story."  Oh...how my blood boils when I hear those words.

Don't they know...to be the best learner, they must always do their best?
Don't they know...the directions explain the best way to accomplish the task?
Don't they know...directions can sometimes keep you safe, as in science lab activities?
Alas....they know...but they choose not to fret...just to "get 'er done" and trust that I'll get them to the finish line.

Know where I'm going with this one?  If you've ever read my Blog, then you know that my ponderings often turn into lessons of Truth.

Yesterday afternoon, as I again was turning red in frustration, I was reminded of a few Truths....

To be the person I was created to be...I need to read the directions.  Directions?  Yep,
I need to read the Instruction Manual...
I need to read the Textbook...
I need to read the Whole Story.
 I don't need to just skim it...or read it when I want. I need to read it regularly, and I need to do more than read...I need to study.

I can't tell you how many times I have uttered these words to parents over the past 20 years, "If s/he would read the directions, read the story carefully, and check his/her work, the report card could be so much better."

Yes, I'm sure Someone ponders that when He sees my life, too.
"Doesn't she know that if she would just read the Bible, read it carefully, and study Its teaching, things would be so different."

I must confess....some weeks...the only time His Word comes out is when I'm prepping for our Bible studies at church or in small group.  How sad is that!  Not just sad, in a legalistic-list-checking kind of way, but sad as in a heart check.

My Savior died for me.  God's Word was written so that I could know Him and learn His Truths.  Yet, I choose to let paper-grading, letter-writing, laundry-washing, book-reading, house-cleaning, nap-taking, or schedule-keeping....steal my attention and time.  Alas, how dare I correct my students for not reading directions on a simple grammar practice page when I haven't opened my Bible in a few days?

Who would've thought that God would use a poorly completed third grade assignment to convict me of my sin?  Well, He did...and He does.

So perhaps...if I read the Directions, I can accomplish this task called "life" in a manner pleasing to the Giver of Life?
Perhaps, if I read the Instruction Manual, I'll stay safe in my life choices rather than disobeying and being impacted by consequences?
Perhaps, if I read the Word, I can be the best Jodi Lea, I can be...for the Glory of the One who created me, died for me, and lives again?

And in the end, I know that I can trust Him to get me across the finish line thanks to His saving grace!

"All Scripture is breathed out by God
 and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, that the man of God
may be competent, equipped for every good word."

2 Timothy 3: 16-17

Just Be....

Today was the first teacher day of our school year.  It started with breakfast provided by a church in our county and ended with six hours working in my room after my contract hours ended.  Long day.  But...the thoughts in my head today have gone with the verb "Be".  From words by our  superintendent, to our principal, to His Word...BE has been popping into my head all day long.

Be Positive!
Mr. Jones challenged us to come to school each day and to choose to be positive.  Honestly, in the area of education (state & national mumbo-jumbo), there are a lot of reasons to be negative or be pessimistic.  But...just like my previous post, I can choose to be positive.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about those things."  Philippians 4:8

Be Enthusiastic!
Again, Mr. Jones encouraged us to be enthusiastic. Obviously, there are some things I have to teach that I teach..simply because I "have to" teach them.  In those areas especially, I must choose to be enthusiastic.  But, I also must show my students that we can be enthusiastic when facing the unknown..  Rather than being anxious, I can choose to be excited and anticipate the positive with genuine enthusiasm.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ."  Colossians 3:23-24

Be Calm!
This challenge came from our principal, Mrs. Gauger.  You know, there are a lot of things that can get under our skin or can get us worked up.  I must confess, when I was attempting to make my parent booklets, I ran into a couple technology obstacles.  One copier printed smudged copies and the other was offline, so it wouldn't communicate with my computer.  For a few minutes, I became a bit anxious and frustrated.  Then, I remembered those words, and I breathed in and out.  I thought, "How can I take care of this problem?"  It occurred to me that I could go "old school" (not really old school...just a few years ago-old-school).  I printed one copy of the booklet on the printer, and I took it down to copy.  In  no time at all, the booklets were copied and soon bound.  When I left Southwestern at 5:50, I had the booklets on each of my students' desks.

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27

Be Content!
This morning, my devotion app shot me a verse reminding me to be content.   Throughout the day, this challenge connected my thoughts to what was being said.  When changes to schedules or duties were announced, I reminded myself to be content.  When my plan to leave at 2 came and went, I told myself to be content.  When the electricity flickered at school and then at home, I told myself to be content.

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:12-13

I tell myself daily that nothing will happen that will take God by surprise.  Plenty happens to surprise me (or to startle me), but nothing startles the One who holds me in His hand.

"Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand."  Psalm 37:24

This evening, I took out the trash while it was raining to avoid taking it out in the dark of morning.  I showered before 7pm and seemed to have shocked the "Fix It Guy" who stopped by to update me on his window work when I answered the door with a wet head & robe.  Now, I'm resting on the couch attempting to decompress from my day. You know...I'm content.  Of course, I'm not as content as the cat who's been snoozing for over an hour on the back of the couch, but that's for another post.

A Whole New World

Yikes!  It's been a while since I last wrote a post, so I thought..."What else would I want to do two evenings before school starts?"

So, I thought about what has been floating through my thoughts as of late, and that would be the Disney song "A Whole New World".  Why?  I'm glad you asked..  CHANGE.

Last spring, the superintendent of our school retired, so we have a new superintendent.  Each one we've had in the 19 years of my teaching experience has been different than the one before, which is expected.  The school board hired the middle school principal to take his place.  A new superintendent brings CHANGE.

So, the opening in the middle school was filled by our elementary principal.  That led to our assistant principal being hired as our principal.  Again, the three principals I've had thus far all did things in his or her own way, as expected.  So, a new principal means things will CHANGE.

Then, you have location changes where our preschool was moved to the front of the building causing several kindergarten and first grade classrooms to CHANGE to a different room.  [Between you & me, I am thankful to teach third grade and to remain in the same room where I have taught for around 15 years.]  Learning where to find the various teachers will take some time, but thankfully...their names will be on their doors.

Of course, I always make my own classroom look "different".  I don't like my previous students to come in and say, "This looks just like our classroom."  Instead, they say, "Wow, you really CHANGED the room this year."  Whether it was painting my teacher desk, moving the teacher's aide spot, or altering my classroom management plan, CHANGE abounds in room 302.

You know, sometimes...CHANGE can scare the life out of me.  The unknown can be frightening.  It can cause anxiety.  However, CHANGE can also bring about good.  Honestly, I like the "look" of 302 better this year than any year previous.  I have no doubt that the changes our superintendent and principal prompt will be for the good of our students and our school.  Yes, it may be a bit nerve-racking at times...not knowing how things will go, but I can choose the way I deal with it.

I can choose to trust rather than to fear.
I can choose to see the positive rather than the negative.
I can choose to be a LIGHT even if it's cloudy.
Choose.

So, if you are facing A Whole New World because of CHANGE....I urge you to CHOOSE....Choose to be still & know that He is God...He's got this...every single change you face.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. "  Matthew 6:25-33