So now it’s summer. My first year of teaching is complete. I originally planned on writing a post right after school ended, but I think I was just so tired that it took me two weeks!
I understand now how people teach for like 30+ years. Each day brings with it something new/exciting/challenging. Although I spent, on average, 10 hours a day at school, it felt like no time at all. Days flew by! Every day was something new- and look now, my first year is finished! I wonder if I will feel this same way in 10 or so years?!
I spent the first 2 months in survival mode. The next 2, persevering through frustration. The winter months I had to cram a bunch of academics because of how little I taught the first 4 months. By the time it was spring, I caught myself having tons of sentimental moments because I realized how quickly I was going to have to say goodbye to my kids. By spring, I finally felt like I figured this whole teaching thing out… at least enough to maintain classroom management, teach all the standards and have a little bit of fun while doing it.
One of the things I realized this year was that no matter how challenging a situation is, if you are walking in God’s will, there will be His grace to sustain you. My parents have taught me that the most important thing in life is to follow the call of God. In doing so, comes the most rich of experiences and eternal rewards. The second part is the hard part because your present circumstances don’t always reap immediate rewards. But I’m learning that that is okay.
I pray that in this past year I was able to impact the lives of the students that were in my class. My heart’s desire is that I was able to show my kids the love of Jesus. I tied shoes, opened milk containers, wiped noses, held hands, gave hugs, encouraged, scolded, drove home… and taught.
My encouragement to you is not to be an inner city teacher- unless that’s what God has called you to- but rather, to ask God what it is that He would have you do, and whatever that is, follow the call.
*Have you heard about my parent’s next adventure? Watch the video below!
