This post echoes a sentiment that Jennifer discussed on her blog a bit back...
With some days full of complaining students, I often feel like I'm pushing a boulder up a steep hill. What a thankless job teaching can be! Chris and I discuss how sometimes we feel like we put so much effort into planning lessons, not merely to meet State standards and benchmarks, but also to reach our students on a personal, meaningful level. It can be so discouraging when those well-planned and intentioned lessons can be tossed aside by our all-knowing (pre)teenage students who have better ways to spend "their" 50 minutes.
Thankfully, I have had a day of silver linings. Aside from a mini-victory with my most challenging group of students today, I have realized that I, too, have been looking right over a silver-lining, a well-planned and intentioned gift from God.
Chris and I have been so blessed to make friends with another couple right here in Summerville. Some of you have already heard me speak so fondly of my new girlfriend, Kristin. In just a short time, we have developed a wonderful friendship that makes me feel not so far from home. It is really wonderful to have met her because we get along so well. I feel like she was one of the missing links in our new life in South Carolina.
Kristin is married to a really nice man, Mike. I am thankful for Mike as well, though he may not know it. It is a beautiful thing to not only to find a friend in Kristin, but for Chris to find a friend in Mike as well. We both enjoy and are thankful for our new friends.
It is so easy to overlook the blessings we've been given, especially on the most challenging of days.
As I write this, I am watching the blue, purple and pink sunset melt together.
There surely is a silver lining to every single day.
2 comments:
Ah yes, the boulder up the hill challenge! Turns out the joy of teaching is moving the boulder at all! However, you have free license to enlist those young minds to help you move the boulder!
Strive to be inspired and motivated and the teaching teaches itself!
Wonderful news that you are making nice friends. She has such a pretty name! Ha Ha I will always miss you being close to home and so does Piper. She still goes in your room and looks around. She like to lay on the blue pillow on your wicker bench. Mom
You're right, Kat, there is a silver lining in every day. Sometimes it is harder to see, and sometimes we aren't looking in the right direction. Even our challenges are gifts from God.
I'm so glad that you had a victory with your most challenging students. I think every day with them is a victory. They need a good Christian woman to take interest in them and not give up on them. You're doing that... even when it is hard to do. I'm so proud of you!
I'm so happy to hear that you have made special friends.
We miss you!
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