"Get Out of Jail Free"

A typical day for me consists of waking up at 5:30am, leaving for school at 6:30am, getting there at 7am.. kids come in at 7:45… I teach, discipline, laugh… all the usual things. The kids tell me stuff about their lives and I tell them about mine. If I’m lucky, no one will go to the principal’s office. Then off they go at 3:45pm.

Sometimes the kids will tell me very serious things about their lives. One of my students told me their dad died a few years ago. Another morning one of the kids told me she had a dream that I got shot. Not exactly what you want to hear at 8am- or ever!

But nothing has quite affected me as what “V” said to me this morning. It was the usual type of morning. The students were working on morning work as I took attendance, distributed pencils, and strolled around the room to say hi to each student. He called to me and said “Ms. Thomson, does everyone get out of jail on Christmas?” Such an odd question. My initial response was going to be “no” and then try to explain how jail works… but I felt a nudge on the inside to be extra careful with this one.

I decided to ask why he asked that questions and if he knows anyone in jail. He said “yes, my daddy.” Wow. Wasn’t ready for that one. He was hopeful that somehow, on Christmas, everyone got a “get out of jail free” card.

I couldn’t shake it today. V’s question echoed in my head all day. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be 6 years old and to know your dad is in jail and that he probably wont be home for Christmas.

In every moment, of every day, I have the most precious responsibility: to show to my kids the unending, never failing love of a heavenly father who will NEVER let them down. In fact, he’s rescued each one of us from our own jail cells. He’s given us a “get out of jail free” card by sending his son Jesus.

Please pray for my sweet “Lil V”. That he gets a glimpse of Jesus.

Also, take a moment to thank God that you’ve been offered a “get out of jail free” card which gives you hope for the days to come. 

There are 9 sharks in the Cumberland River!

Like any first year teacher, when I heard that our first field trip was coming up I got very scared. Really.  I know field trips are supposed to be fun, but the thought of taking my 12 out anywhere was unnerving. We walked from the school 2 blocks to the train station. Thomas the Train was there. We got to ride the train and get a picture with Thomas.

We all piled onto the train. The kids were loving the ride! Their little eyes peered out the windows and i could see the world becoming a bigger, more intricate place for each of them. As I listened to them, I realized that this trip was revealing so much about their worldview.

The train track went right along the Cumberland River. T said, "Ms. Thomson is that the ocean?" "No baby, that's just a river", I replied back. "Are there sharks in there?" V chimed in, "YES! 9 sharks!" I laughed and said no there aren't sharks. T kept asking questions.. "what would happen if our train fell in the water? Would we die? Would the sharks eat us? Are you sure the train cant fall in there? What is an ocean?"

We also passed an area where some homeless people lived and one of my kids said "Hey look Ms Thomson. People are camping!" I had a good laughed after that one!

Here's what I learned, my kids have spent their entire lives in a 2 block radius. We were so close to their homes, yet, it was as if we were in a foreign country. Their worldview is so limited. Why? Because they've never left their neighborhood. My heart broke. All I wanted to do is pile the kids in a big bus and drive them all over the country showing them all the wonderful places.

As a teacher, I realize the importance of my kids leaving their neighborhood, experiencing the world. The more they experience, the more they learn. The more they learn, the greater the chance is for them to leave the projects.

As a Christian, I also see the importance of "leaving the neighborhood".

First, to see the beauty of Gods creation.
Second, to see the brokenness that has resulted from sin.
Third, to be burdened to do something about the broken world.

Most importantly for me, as I leave my neighborhood, literally because I'm in Toronto this week, my eyes are opened. I have two choices: stay in my comfortable neighborhood in Nashville, TN or move to Toronto.

I don't want to think a river is an ocean....

I'll leave it at that.

Are you afraid to leave your neighborhood? Should you be considering moving somewhere? What rivers have you been thinking are oceans? 

"A Skittle For You": An Explanation

All throughout college I swore I would never be "that teacher". The one  who uses candy as bribery or reward. I would confidently profess that bribery was not going to be necessary because I was going to be THAT good. I figured that I would be able to instill such passion for learning that the intrinsic reward would be enough for my little ones to work with vigor.

That all changed on August 11, 2011 as my 12 young minds walked into room 120 (my classroom).

I quickly realized many of them longed to still be in kindergarten where you get to have nap time, snack time, ABC's and 1,2,3's

Before I go on, I need to inform that my kids are not like most 1st graders. They've grown up in the projects, in poverty, around more crime than you and I will see in our entire lives. Their upbringing is the antithesis of mine. I'll post about that some other time. The point: I had no idea how to relate to them and how to motivate...... Until I learned the power of a Skittle.

If you didn't already know, Skittles can be purchased in bulk: 41 ounce bag!

This is how it works: Sit quietly, you get a Skittle. Raise your hand before you speak, you get a Skittle. Report kindness, be kind, use good manners, you get a Skittle. Walk properly in the hallway, you get a Skittle. Don't yell, kick, punch or cuss, and you get a Skittle....
Ok- I think you get it.

Skittles have the power to encourage, reward, motivate and inspire.

I pray that this blog is "A skittle for you".

Gary: an Introduction

I don’t get sick.

But one time I did. This particular Thursday I got to school and thought I might “toss my cookies” (as my little brother Luke would say). Should I stay at school and feel horrible all day, or should I get a sub and go home? I chose the latter, taking the risk of leaving my very defiant, loud and extremely challenging kids with a substitute teacher. After putting in for a sub, I spent the next hour giving the kids busy work, gathering sub plans, and consoling them, reassuring them that they would be OKAY without me for a day! 

As I was about to leave, Gary burst out “Well, I’m leaving!” I asked, “Where do you plan on going?” Confidently he said, “I’m going with you!” At that moment I felt more loved than I have in a long time.

This got me thinking, God wants us all to be like Gary. He didn’t care where I was going, he just knew he wanted to be with me. The safest, most secure place in Gary’s mind was going wherever I went. In the same way, the safest, most secure place that we could ever be is exactly where God IS. So as I peer into my unpredictable future, attempting to decipher what I should do and where I should go, I’m reminded to have childlike faith. To say to God “I’m going with you!”