I have recently been encouraged to write more of my stupid stories by a friend and reader. So a few days ago I had my boys help me make a list of them. With their help, I came up with 67 different stories. They vary, some are funny, some are serious and some are just me being stupid and God protecting me. So... for a while, I will be writing these stories. I will still write about teaching and my students when something outstanding occurs.
Like Friday, I had a former student come by to visit me from the high school. He told me that he wished I was still his teacher. I asked how he was doing and he said he had a 98% in Geometry. He told me his teacher is always complaining that he shows too much work(I am a SHOW YOUR WORK NAZI). He explained to me that whenever he doesn't know what to do, he thinks back on what he learned in my class and is then able to figure it out. I had goose bumps listening to him. I praise God. I am only writing this to give God the glory ... NOT ME. I always tell my students that I want them to learn how to be successful this year but also in the years to follow. This student was telling me just that. I thanked him for his encouraging words and making the effort to come and share them with me. I was and am very humbled and grateful for his words. Encouragement is such a huge and powerful thing we can so easily do for someone else. I am thankful for my present and past students who have given me words of encouragement. I am also thankful for my readers who have also given me words of encouragement. THANK YOU.
Now for story time.
Today, I was outside chain sawing on a tree I fell a few months ago. This causes me to want to write about the time I cut down a fir tree in our back yard in Tacoma about 30 years ago.
It was Pam and my first house. The backyard was totally over grown. We decided to nuke it. I was going to take out all living vegetation except for one rhody. The biggest tree in the backyard was a fir tree in the back left corner. I estimated it to be about 80 ft tall. Boy was I off.
I climbed up the tree with some rope. I climbed up well over halfway and tied one end of the rope to the tree and threw down the rest of the rope and then I climbed back down. Then came the scary part.
I climbed up the tree with my chain saw tied onto a small piece of rope to myself. I estimated the halfway point of the tree and cut on both sides with my saw. This was scary because I had no climbing equipment, thus, I had to hold onto the tree with one hand and run the chain saw with the other. Chain saws require 2 hands to run, not one, especially half way up in a tree. But I somehow, by God's grace, I managed. I really don't know how. Then I quickly climbed down and I wanted to kiss the ground. I had such a sense of relief and thankfulness that it was over.
But it wasn't.
Next I tied another rope to the end of the rope I had tied way up on the tree. Then I pulled the rope across the yard kitty-corner to the railing on the back porch and tied it off nice and taunt. I was all set.
Just then, Pam came out the back door to tell me dinner was ready. It was perfect timing. I was so proud and confident of all my expert work and skilled estimating.
I was about three feet from the last step of the back porch. I reached up and grabbed a hold of the rope and exclaimed, "Watch this!" I gave a hard pull down and then to my shock and horror I froze like a deer in the headlights as I watched what then took place in slow motion as my adrenaline kicked in.
The top of the top half of the tree quickly hit the ground. The bottom of the top half of the tree was now on top and was about 60 feet up in the air and was coming my way like a giant cleaver. I couldn't move. It came crashing down directly at me with a violent thud and the bottom of the top of the tree hit the ground about 2 feet from me. It was about 18 inches in diameter.
I stood there in disbelief, shock and gratitude for a few seconds and then I turned and looked at Pam as causally as I could and said, "What do you think?" She just silently shook her head and went back inside the house.
The moral of the story is chain saws, ropes and felling trees is a recipe for disaster. Never get prideful when felling trees. Always seek God's grace, blessing, love, kindness, wisdom and forgiveness.
Day 112
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
The Vanilla Fart Story
I lived in the dorms at UW for 3 years and ate dorm food. Dorm food was full of starches back then and a diet high in starches gave me gas... so, for 3 years of my life, I had gas. In fact, every night before bed time, my roommate and I would walk down our hallway, give a light knock on a neighbor's door, back up against it, fart, and say, "Good night." We would always hear the laughter from inside the room of our neighbors as we did this nightly ritual.
Well anyways, it was a Saturday morning, and I was on my way home for the weekend to see my parents. I was driving across the Narrows Bridge and the car filled with the smell of vanilla. I had no idea where it came from but I did enjoy the fragrance. I supposed I must have passed a bakery truck or something. Well, about 10 minutes later, I had a strong urge to fart. I was all alone in the car and so I tilted to the left(one simply doesn't not bare down and fart directly into the seat cushion!), bared down and released a nice arid fart. I was suddenly surprised as the car filled again with the smell of vanilla. It was wonderful. Then I realized, that that must have been me leaking 10 minutes earlier. I could not believe it! About 10 minutes later I had another urge. So I tilted, bared down and farted and the car filled once again with the lovely aroma of vanilla. I simply was amazing myself. I needed a witness. Then I remembered that mom was going to be home when I got there and a plan immediately came to mind.
The rest of the drive home I focused on restraining myself from farting. When I got home, I ran in the house and said, "Mom! You won't believe what happened on the way home. You have to smell..." It was at this point that I realized the flaw in my plan. How could I ask my mom to smell my next fart?
So I quickly improvised. I said, "You need to experience something." My confidence rose as I rescued myself from my predicament. My mom was in her recliner reading a book, so I walked over and sat on her lap.
I wanted to give her the full experience from the epicenter. I was going to leave no doubt. She was not happy with this maneuver of mine, however, and asked me to get off. I simply ignored her and asked her how she was doing and if she missed me.
I was stalling but still brimming with confidence.
She was quickly growing more and more uncomfortable and impatient.
I sensed my window of opportunity was closing so I tried stretching a little from side to side trying to get things going so to speak. This only added to my mothers discomfort and impatience and she said, "Get off me."
Once again I ignored her and tried small talk... then all of the sudden I felt a rumbling from within and with total confidence announced, "Here we go." I bared down with full strength and let her have it. It was a nice arid one and I expected to smell vanilla... to my disappointment and my mothers horror, it was NOT.
I leaped off her and she yelled at me and tried to hit me. She couldn't believe what I had just done. I told her that I had had 3 vanilla farts on the way home and wanted a witness. I was totally confident that number 4 was going to be vanilla also. It wasn't. It was dead crab. To her dying day she believed that my roommate offered me $20 to go home and fart on my mother.
The moral of the story is... be careful what you believe in. Just because you believe in it doesn't mean it is going to happen or is true. I believed my next fart was going to be vanilla. I had so much faith in this belief that I sat on her and farted. Our beliefs should impact our actions. If we truly believe something... shouldn't it impact how we behave? As a Christian, my beliefs in God and the Bible should impact how I live. If they don't, then, do I really believe?
Day 111
Well anyways, it was a Saturday morning, and I was on my way home for the weekend to see my parents. I was driving across the Narrows Bridge and the car filled with the smell of vanilla. I had no idea where it came from but I did enjoy the fragrance. I supposed I must have passed a bakery truck or something. Well, about 10 minutes later, I had a strong urge to fart. I was all alone in the car and so I tilted to the left(one simply doesn't not bare down and fart directly into the seat cushion!), bared down and released a nice arid fart. I was suddenly surprised as the car filled again with the smell of vanilla. It was wonderful. Then I realized, that that must have been me leaking 10 minutes earlier. I could not believe it! About 10 minutes later I had another urge. So I tilted, bared down and farted and the car filled once again with the lovely aroma of vanilla. I simply was amazing myself. I needed a witness. Then I remembered that mom was going to be home when I got there and a plan immediately came to mind.
The rest of the drive home I focused on restraining myself from farting. When I got home, I ran in the house and said, "Mom! You won't believe what happened on the way home. You have to smell..." It was at this point that I realized the flaw in my plan. How could I ask my mom to smell my next fart?
So I quickly improvised. I said, "You need to experience something." My confidence rose as I rescued myself from my predicament. My mom was in her recliner reading a book, so I walked over and sat on her lap.
I wanted to give her the full experience from the epicenter. I was going to leave no doubt. She was not happy with this maneuver of mine, however, and asked me to get off. I simply ignored her and asked her how she was doing and if she missed me.
I was stalling but still brimming with confidence.
She was quickly growing more and more uncomfortable and impatient.
I sensed my window of opportunity was closing so I tried stretching a little from side to side trying to get things going so to speak. This only added to my mothers discomfort and impatience and she said, "Get off me."
Once again I ignored her and tried small talk... then all of the sudden I felt a rumbling from within and with total confidence announced, "Here we go." I bared down with full strength and let her have it. It was a nice arid one and I expected to smell vanilla... to my disappointment and my mothers horror, it was NOT.
I leaped off her and she yelled at me and tried to hit me. She couldn't believe what I had just done. I told her that I had had 3 vanilla farts on the way home and wanted a witness. I was totally confident that number 4 was going to be vanilla also. It wasn't. It was dead crab. To her dying day she believed that my roommate offered me $20 to go home and fart on my mother.
The moral of the story is... be careful what you believe in. Just because you believe in it doesn't mean it is going to happen or is true. I believed my next fart was going to be vanilla. I had so much faith in this belief that I sat on her and farted. Our beliefs should impact our actions. If we truly believe something... shouldn't it impact how we behave? As a Christian, my beliefs in God and the Bible should impact how I live. If they don't, then, do I really believe?
Day 111
The Squirrel Story
It was the spring of my sophomore year in college at UW. I was walking to class with a friend. We were both majoring in Fisheries. It had been dry and warm for many days. We had a class together in the afternoon at the college of fisheries. 'Stan' lived in a fraternity and I in the dorms in north campus. We were walking through the campus on our way to class. There were people everywhere walking and laying in the grass. And yes, there were even some squirrels about.
Stan reached into his backpack and pulled out a Snickers candy bar and tore open the wrapper to take a bite. At the very moment he tore open the wrapper, my eyes were fixed upon a squirrel that was quite a ways in the distance. It had to be almost a football field away. There were people and even other squirrels between us but my eyes were upon that one squirrel for some reason... and when Stan ripped open the wrapper, the squirrel stopped dead in his tracks and turned and looked straight in our direction. Then it started racing towards us in the bouncing way a squirrel would run. It was approaching slightly to right of straight ahead of us. It was running as fast as it could. Stan did not see it and I was not sure what to think at first.
It seemed like such a weird coincidence at first... but the squirrel kept running as fast as it could right at us. Soon it was about 50 yards away. I still was very uncertain about it's intentions but my eyes were glued to that squirrel. A few moments later it was about 20 yards away and still Stan did not see it coming.
It was at this point that I suddenly had a moral dilemma. It was like in the movie, Emperors New Groove, when Kronk gets his shoulder angels. Should I say something to warn Stan about the approaching squirrel or should I say nothing and watch what I hope will happen... that the squirrel will go after Stan's candy bar. Part of me wanted to help Stan but then I thought how stupid it would look to push Stan aside and yell, "Squirrel!" as I try to protect him from the approaching squirrel. Another part of me thought about how cool it would be to see what might happen. So in the end, I did nothing so I could possibly watch a train wreck.
Stan never saw the squirrel the whole way. In the end, it ran right up his pant let and stopped on his chest grasping his shirt with his left front paw and both rear paws. The squirrel's right paw was left in the air and he quickly glanced from the candy bar to Stan face, back and forth for a short while. Stan had stopped walking and stood there is shock not knowing what to do.
I learned to speak some squirrel that day. After a long pause with the squirrel glancing back and forth and Stan frozen in his tracks not knowing what to do... I broke the awkward moment by suggesting that Stan give the squirrel some of his candy bar. Stan reached over the squirrel with his right hand and broke off a big piece of his candy bar and handed it to the squirrel. The squirrel grabbed it with his free right paw and turned and raced down his leg across the grass and up a tree... and in a few moments was out of sight. Stan turned and looked at me in shock. I patted him on the back and smiled and we shared a good laugh about it.
The moral to the story is ... we have needs all around us staring us in the face. We don't have to give away our entire candy bar, but we sure should be willing to give away some of our candy bar.
Day 110
Stan reached into his backpack and pulled out a Snickers candy bar and tore open the wrapper to take a bite. At the very moment he tore open the wrapper, my eyes were fixed upon a squirrel that was quite a ways in the distance. It had to be almost a football field away. There were people and even other squirrels between us but my eyes were upon that one squirrel for some reason... and when Stan ripped open the wrapper, the squirrel stopped dead in his tracks and turned and looked straight in our direction. Then it started racing towards us in the bouncing way a squirrel would run. It was approaching slightly to right of straight ahead of us. It was running as fast as it could. Stan did not see it and I was not sure what to think at first.
It seemed like such a weird coincidence at first... but the squirrel kept running as fast as it could right at us. Soon it was about 50 yards away. I still was very uncertain about it's intentions but my eyes were glued to that squirrel. A few moments later it was about 20 yards away and still Stan did not see it coming.
It was at this point that I suddenly had a moral dilemma. It was like in the movie, Emperors New Groove, when Kronk gets his shoulder angels. Should I say something to warn Stan about the approaching squirrel or should I say nothing and watch what I hope will happen... that the squirrel will go after Stan's candy bar. Part of me wanted to help Stan but then I thought how stupid it would look to push Stan aside and yell, "Squirrel!" as I try to protect him from the approaching squirrel. Another part of me thought about how cool it would be to see what might happen. So in the end, I did nothing so I could possibly watch a train wreck.
Stan never saw the squirrel the whole way. In the end, it ran right up his pant let and stopped on his chest grasping his shirt with his left front paw and both rear paws. The squirrel's right paw was left in the air and he quickly glanced from the candy bar to Stan face, back and forth for a short while. Stan had stopped walking and stood there is shock not knowing what to do.
I learned to speak some squirrel that day. After a long pause with the squirrel glancing back and forth and Stan frozen in his tracks not knowing what to do... I broke the awkward moment by suggesting that Stan give the squirrel some of his candy bar. Stan reached over the squirrel with his right hand and broke off a big piece of his candy bar and handed it to the squirrel. The squirrel grabbed it with his free right paw and turned and raced down his leg across the grass and up a tree... and in a few moments was out of sight. Stan turned and looked at me in shock. I patted him on the back and smiled and we shared a good laugh about it.
The moral to the story is ... we have needs all around us staring us in the face. We don't have to give away our entire candy bar, but we sure should be willing to give away some of our candy bar.
Day 110
Saturday, March 29, 2014
The Donut Story
This is such a weird story. All of the stories I tell my students from my past are true... although I may embellish the facts slightly.
Years ago, I taught at Marcus Whitman JH. I coached wrestling with a science teacher there. I was on my way down to his room during my planning period to discuss the days practice schedule. I had just started eating a donut. It was a Bismarck... my favorite... they are cream filled and have a chocolate glaze. I walked into his office which then had a door into his classroom. As I reached for the door, I suddenly was hit, out of no where, with this clear and wild idea... 'Scrape out some of the filling from the donut with your finger and wipe it off on the back of your neck.'
I paused. I didn't know where this idea had come from or why I should do such a weird thing. Then suddenly, I just went with the impulse and obeyed. I set my donut down on his desk in his office and walked into his room.
The class was full. The students were all taking a test. My assistant coach was at the front of the class, standing behind a full length lab table, and he was grading tests.
I still didn't know why I had put some filling from my donut on the back of my neck!
We stood there quietly talking about what we were going to do in practice that day. Suddenly it hit me! I knew why I had done it! I had a reason and I now had a plan!
I suddenly acclaimed in a loud voice, "Man! I have the biggest ZIT on the back of my neck!"
The students were all startled and they looked up at me in annoyance and disgust. They quickly refocused their efforts back on their tests and left us up at the front quietly talking again, without them paying any attention to us.
I was waiting, like a skilled fisherman I was waiting and letting them take the bait:) and they did!
After a few minutes more of talking, I loudly acclaimed, "I can't take it any longer. This ZIT is got to be ready to pop. I feels like it must be the size of Mt Rainier. I am going to try to pop it."
To their horror, they watch as I reached up and acted like I was popping a huge zit on the back of my neck. I think I must have done a good job of acting because they all went ballistic. They all started yelling at me to get out of there. They were grossed out... BUT I WAS FAR FROM DONE!
I raised my hand and quickly quieted them down.
If the room had a PANIC METER, I had not yet PEGGED IT.
I held up my right index finger that I had just used to scrape off the filling from the back of my neck. It held a large amount of filling, but to the students, it looked like the puss from the WORLDS BIGGEST ZIT. They went even crazier. They were repulsed and they were yelling and waving their arms at me to leave.
I wasn't finished yet... :)
I raised my hand again, and again they quieted down. I said, "This is science. I wonder what this stuff actually tastes like?" And I slowly started raising my finger to my mouth, while trying to act like I was not looking forward to it.
The students were horrified, but they couldn't help themselves. They sat there in shock and watched... like watching a train wreck. As my finger got closer and closer to my mouth, they got more and more agitated. My tongue finally touch the puss(filling) and the place went crazy, but again I raised my hand and they paused to listen and watch in horror as I said, "Hey, this stuff isn't that bad." and I quickly stuck my finger in my mouth and ate all of the 'puss.'
Now the place went absolutely nuts. The panic meter had been pegged. They were throwing there tests, books, pencils, pens, lunches, and even backpacks at me. They were yelling at me to get out of there. It was total pandemonium.
I weaved and dodged and made it to the door to the office. I went in and grabbed my donut and came right back into the room. The students had stopped throwing things at me because they didn't have anything left to throw. They were still yelling at me. I showed them my donut and scooped out some of the filling and at it. I even turned and showed them the back of my neck, but they were still going crazy. Finally, I took a big bite of my donut and turned to the teacher and smiled and said, "Hey, have a great day." I turned to the class and yelled, "Good luck on your test." I walked out of that room smiling as my assistant hung his head in disbelief in a room that look like a tornado had gone through.
It was a legendary moment as years later students would still want to hear about the donut story.
Day 109
Years ago, I taught at Marcus Whitman JH. I coached wrestling with a science teacher there. I was on my way down to his room during my planning period to discuss the days practice schedule. I had just started eating a donut. It was a Bismarck... my favorite... they are cream filled and have a chocolate glaze. I walked into his office which then had a door into his classroom. As I reached for the door, I suddenly was hit, out of no where, with this clear and wild idea... 'Scrape out some of the filling from the donut with your finger and wipe it off on the back of your neck.'
I paused. I didn't know where this idea had come from or why I should do such a weird thing. Then suddenly, I just went with the impulse and obeyed. I set my donut down on his desk in his office and walked into his room.
The class was full. The students were all taking a test. My assistant coach was at the front of the class, standing behind a full length lab table, and he was grading tests.
I still didn't know why I had put some filling from my donut on the back of my neck!
We stood there quietly talking about what we were going to do in practice that day. Suddenly it hit me! I knew why I had done it! I had a reason and I now had a plan!
I suddenly acclaimed in a loud voice, "Man! I have the biggest ZIT on the back of my neck!"
The students were all startled and they looked up at me in annoyance and disgust. They quickly refocused their efforts back on their tests and left us up at the front quietly talking again, without them paying any attention to us.
I was waiting, like a skilled fisherman I was waiting and letting them take the bait:) and they did!
After a few minutes more of talking, I loudly acclaimed, "I can't take it any longer. This ZIT is got to be ready to pop. I feels like it must be the size of Mt Rainier. I am going to try to pop it."
To their horror, they watch as I reached up and acted like I was popping a huge zit on the back of my neck. I think I must have done a good job of acting because they all went ballistic. They all started yelling at me to get out of there. They were grossed out... BUT I WAS FAR FROM DONE!
I raised my hand and quickly quieted them down.
If the room had a PANIC METER, I had not yet PEGGED IT.
I held up my right index finger that I had just used to scrape off the filling from the back of my neck. It held a large amount of filling, but to the students, it looked like the puss from the WORLDS BIGGEST ZIT. They went even crazier. They were repulsed and they were yelling and waving their arms at me to leave.
I wasn't finished yet... :)
I raised my hand again, and again they quieted down. I said, "This is science. I wonder what this stuff actually tastes like?" And I slowly started raising my finger to my mouth, while trying to act like I was not looking forward to it.
The students were horrified, but they couldn't help themselves. They sat there in shock and watched... like watching a train wreck. As my finger got closer and closer to my mouth, they got more and more agitated. My tongue finally touch the puss(filling) and the place went crazy, but again I raised my hand and they paused to listen and watch in horror as I said, "Hey, this stuff isn't that bad." and I quickly stuck my finger in my mouth and ate all of the 'puss.'
Now the place went absolutely nuts. The panic meter had been pegged. They were throwing there tests, books, pencils, pens, lunches, and even backpacks at me. They were yelling at me to get out of there. It was total pandemonium.
I weaved and dodged and made it to the door to the office. I went in and grabbed my donut and came right back into the room. The students had stopped throwing things at me because they didn't have anything left to throw. They were still yelling at me. I showed them my donut and scooped out some of the filling and at it. I even turned and showed them the back of my neck, but they were still going crazy. Finally, I took a big bite of my donut and turned to the teacher and smiled and said, "Hey, have a great day." I turned to the class and yelled, "Good luck on your test." I walked out of that room smiling as my assistant hung his head in disbelief in a room that look like a tornado had gone through.
It was a legendary moment as years later students would still want to hear about the donut story.
Day 109
Tears
My Algebra students took their test this week. I was happy with the results of most... but there were a few that did poorly. 'Sara' was one of them. I make it a habit of asking those that did well or improved a lot, to tell the rest of us what they thought were the most helpful things they did to cause their success. The students sit there beaming as they share their reasons for their success with the rest of us. I love doing this debrief.
Afterwards though, I was overcome by the thought that there were some students who might feel like I didn't care that much about them because they did poorly on the test. I told them that I cared about each one of them regardless of how they did on the test. I didn't want any of them to think that my care for them was dependent on how well they did.
I told them about a friend of mine I'll call 'Bill'. His dad had died when he was around 10 years old and I was a big brother to him. I took him everywhere and he worked for me for 4 summers. I loved him like he was my own son. But Bill got into bad habits and didn't want anything to do with me and dropped out of high school. I lost contact with him for many years but always prayed for him. Years later, he showed up one day at my house and he was happy. He had gotten right with the LORD and was married. He now has 4 kids and his own business and is doing great. I broke down and started crying as I was telling my students about Bill.
I composed myself, gritted my teeth and told them, "You will never be junk. I will always want the best for you. I will never give up on you... don't ever give up on yourself. You are fearfully and wonderfully made."
I wanted to say so much more. I am crying as I am writing this account. There are so many hurting kids. There is so much pain. All of these kids need Jesus. The very thing they need is the very thing I can't plainly tell them. I try to tell and live as much as I can, the love of Jesus. I always have this ache that I am not doing enough. It always haunts me. Lord help me to speak the truth in love.
Day 108
Afterwards though, I was overcome by the thought that there were some students who might feel like I didn't care that much about them because they did poorly on the test. I told them that I cared about each one of them regardless of how they did on the test. I didn't want any of them to think that my care for them was dependent on how well they did.
I told them about a friend of mine I'll call 'Bill'. His dad had died when he was around 10 years old and I was a big brother to him. I took him everywhere and he worked for me for 4 summers. I loved him like he was my own son. But Bill got into bad habits and didn't want anything to do with me and dropped out of high school. I lost contact with him for many years but always prayed for him. Years later, he showed up one day at my house and he was happy. He had gotten right with the LORD and was married. He now has 4 kids and his own business and is doing great. I broke down and started crying as I was telling my students about Bill.
I composed myself, gritted my teeth and told them, "You will never be junk. I will always want the best for you. I will never give up on you... don't ever give up on yourself. You are fearfully and wonderfully made."
I wanted to say so much more. I am crying as I am writing this account. There are so many hurting kids. There is so much pain. All of these kids need Jesus. The very thing they need is the very thing I can't plainly tell them. I try to tell and live as much as I can, the love of Jesus. I always have this ache that I am not doing enough. It always haunts me. Lord help me to speak the truth in love.
Day 108
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Hard to Watch
My students will be taking their tests tomorrow. In my first period class, I was disappointed that 10 students didn't do 7 problems I gave them for homework on their practice test. I told them that if they won't take their practice seriously, it will be very hard for them to do well on their test. This first period class is such a challenging class for me. There are so many students that are very low and don't try much. They probably don't try much because they are so low. I have to keep encouraging them... but they will receive their poor grades they will earn.
My student 'Sara' was also frustrating to me today. Her test is tomorrow and she was not doing some of the practice problems we were doing in class... WEIRD. You can lead a horse to water...
I don't get why some of these low students act like they want to stay low... especially when they have experienced success. I am praying for them. I need to love them where they are and encourage, exhort, motivate, challenge and teach them to grow, learn and improve.
It is hard to see students continuously make poor decisions in the classroom. They have the opportunity to learn, but some don't take advantage of it. It is hard to watch. I told them so today... 'Sara' knew she was one of the people I was talking about and seemed to not like hearing it. I want to speak the truth in love, while at the same time... not judge any of them... IT IS HARD.
Day 108
My student 'Sara' was also frustrating to me today. Her test is tomorrow and she was not doing some of the practice problems we were doing in class... WEIRD. You can lead a horse to water...
I don't get why some of these low students act like they want to stay low... especially when they have experienced success. I am praying for them. I need to love them where they are and encourage, exhort, motivate, challenge and teach them to grow, learn and improve.
It is hard to see students continuously make poor decisions in the classroom. They have the opportunity to learn, but some don't take advantage of it. It is hard to watch. I told them so today... 'Sara' knew she was one of the people I was talking about and seemed to not like hearing it. I want to speak the truth in love, while at the same time... not judge any of them... IT IS HARD.
Day 108
Thursday, March 20, 2014
A Victory
'Sara' is a student I have written about several times over the past few weeks. I talked with Sara today and asked her if her neighbor helped her yesterday. She said that she wasn't that helpful. I explained to her that I knew she had been trying lately and she was even showing lots of work, but she wasn't getting the problems correct.
I told her that it was fine to work the problems a different way, as long as she got the correct answer. She has not been getting many right. I encouraged her to follow my directions and see if it helps her be more successful.
Today she did. It was very cool. She was getting most of the problems right. She still has lots of holes to fill, but as long as she stay coachable and follows directions, she will have her best chance of learning... today she seemed to realize this.
I talked with her after class and complemented her on being coachable and asked her if it made a difference. Sara smiled and agreed that it did. I had goose bumps... VICTORY!
Day 107
I told her that it was fine to work the problems a different way, as long as she got the correct answer. She has not been getting many right. I encouraged her to follow my directions and see if it helps her be more successful.
Today she did. It was very cool. She was getting most of the problems right. She still has lots of holes to fill, but as long as she stay coachable and follows directions, she will have her best chance of learning... today she seemed to realize this.
I talked with her after class and complemented her on being coachable and asked her if it made a difference. Sara smiled and agreed that it did. I had goose bumps... VICTORY!
Day 107
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Copy
I have written about 'Sara' in blogs 85, 88, 90 and 103. She just sticks out to me. She is such a challenge and a form of a litmus to me... meaning if I can get her to be successful and maintain it, I will have really succeeded.
Well, she got in the 70s on ch 7 test but since then she has really struggle in ch 8. She was absent a few days and then she spent a few days not taking any notes or looking like she was trying. Lately, she has been 'trying' as far as she is concerned... but without any success because she is failing quizzes miserably. In lab, we practice questions during the period and they can use their notes when they take their quiz. The questions on the quiz are similar to the ones we practiced during the period. The quiz 'should' be easy. Sara failed it miserably today. When I talked to her about how poorly she did, she told me she had taken lots of notes. She had but she was not doing the problems like I had been showing for almost 2 weeks now. I told her that her notes were obviously not doing her any good. She needs to simply follow directions. It is so weird how the students that struggle, struggle with following directions and they can't even see it. They think they are trying when they are doing something. I want to see result not just effort.
Why is it so hard for some of these struggling students to simply copy what they see?
The Learning Skill Sara really needs to develop is effective note taking. She doesn't do it right now and it is making it hard for her to be successful. I had her and all of my student pair up and take notes on doing the different types of factoring. I told Sara to ask her neighbor to make sure she was doing each correctly. I told her that if she wouldn't listen to me, maybe she could listen to her neighbor. I was frustrated with her and I wanted her to know it. I also wanted her to get the help she needed and learn. I'll find out how it went tomorrow.
Day 106
Well, she got in the 70s on ch 7 test but since then she has really struggle in ch 8. She was absent a few days and then she spent a few days not taking any notes or looking like she was trying. Lately, she has been 'trying' as far as she is concerned... but without any success because she is failing quizzes miserably. In lab, we practice questions during the period and they can use their notes when they take their quiz. The questions on the quiz are similar to the ones we practiced during the period. The quiz 'should' be easy. Sara failed it miserably today. When I talked to her about how poorly she did, she told me she had taken lots of notes. She had but she was not doing the problems like I had been showing for almost 2 weeks now. I told her that her notes were obviously not doing her any good. She needs to simply follow directions. It is so weird how the students that struggle, struggle with following directions and they can't even see it. They think they are trying when they are doing something. I want to see result not just effort.
Why is it so hard for some of these struggling students to simply copy what they see?
The Learning Skill Sara really needs to develop is effective note taking. She doesn't do it right now and it is making it hard for her to be successful. I had her and all of my student pair up and take notes on doing the different types of factoring. I told Sara to ask her neighbor to make sure she was doing each correctly. I told her that if she wouldn't listen to me, maybe she could listen to her neighbor. I was frustrated with her and I wanted her to know it. I also wanted her to get the help she needed and learn. I'll find out how it went tomorrow.
Day 106
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Folly
Sara, the student I've written about in previous blogs, is having a hard time in chapter 8. She's been absent a few days, she isn't getting it, she isn't following directions and she isn't asking for help from anyone. It is like she is slipping back into old patterns. I want to help her so much, but she is resistant to it again now. I thought we were past this. I thought when she got in the 70s on her chapter 7 test she would simply keep improving.
There is the danger of expectation... it rips at your soul and hurts. I need to get back to the place of hope... where love is. Here, it is painless. Here, I can try fresh and new every day and it doesn't matter what she does. I have to do my best regardless of what my students do and in fact because of what many of my students do.
Sara is not the only one, I have several struggling students, especially in my first period class. I have to simply keep trying to reach them. I also have to keep trying to reach, teach and appreciate all of my other students. I struggle with focusing on the lost ones. I have to do both at the same time.
"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his folly." These struggling students remind me of this verse. Help me Lord to love, encourage, exhort, challenge and teach ALL of my students relentlessly and unconditionally... it is so hard. I can not do it without Your love, grace and wisdom.
Day 104
There is the danger of expectation... it rips at your soul and hurts. I need to get back to the place of hope... where love is. Here, it is painless. Here, I can try fresh and new every day and it doesn't matter what she does. I have to do my best regardless of what my students do and in fact because of what many of my students do.
Sara is not the only one, I have several struggling students, especially in my first period class. I have to simply keep trying to reach them. I also have to keep trying to reach, teach and appreciate all of my other students. I struggle with focusing on the lost ones. I have to do both at the same time.
"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his folly." These struggling students remind me of this verse. Help me Lord to love, encourage, exhort, challenge and teach ALL of my students relentlessly and unconditionally... it is so hard. I can not do it without Your love, grace and wisdom.
Day 104
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Unwanted
How do you help somebody that doesn't want help?
Everyday I have students in this place. It is so hard to see them be closed off to my help. These students look bored, apathetic, and don't follow directions. They fail to learn from their mistakes so they keep making them over and over. It is hard to watch.
The people in your life... you want the best for them. What do you do when you want it more than they do?
I need to keep loving, encouraging, exhorting, challenging and teaching them relentlessly and unconditionally. How they behave can not keep me from doing what I know I need to do. They need me to not give up. They need me to believe in them even when they don't believe in themselves. Their actions push me away but I need to keep trying.
I am not perfect... but it is hard to see a friend struggle. I don't want to judge anyone. We all make mistakes. The most important thing for a Christian to be able to do is RUN BACK TO THE ARMS OF JESUS WHEN WE MESS UP.
The second most important thing to do is CONFESS AND FORGIVE OTHERS AS WE RECONCILE BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS. It is pride and selfishness that keep us from doing these. Help me to teach these to my students and encourage these in my friends and family. I need to be a good example of these. I need God's help to confess and forgive.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Love never fails."
Day 103
Everyday I have students in this place. It is so hard to see them be closed off to my help. These students look bored, apathetic, and don't follow directions. They fail to learn from their mistakes so they keep making them over and over. It is hard to watch.
The people in your life... you want the best for them. What do you do when you want it more than they do?
I need to keep loving, encouraging, exhorting, challenging and teaching them relentlessly and unconditionally. How they behave can not keep me from doing what I know I need to do. They need me to not give up. They need me to believe in them even when they don't believe in themselves. Their actions push me away but I need to keep trying.
I am not perfect... but it is hard to see a friend struggle. I don't want to judge anyone. We all make mistakes. The most important thing for a Christian to be able to do is RUN BACK TO THE ARMS OF JESUS WHEN WE MESS UP.
The second most important thing to do is CONFESS AND FORGIVE OTHERS AS WE RECONCILE BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS. It is pride and selfishness that keep us from doing these. Help me to teach these to my students and encourage these in my friends and family. I need to be a good example of these. I need God's help to confess and forgive.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Love never fails."
Day 103
If
If... what a big word. "If I have not love, I gain nothing." "If you love me then you will obey me."
It is so easy to say the word Love. It is so hard to live it. I want to love God. I need His love flowing through me to love my wife, kids, friends and students. I say I love God but how often do I choose other things over God. I want to spend more and more time with God. I don't turn on my radio, in the morning, on the way to work, so I can pray and talk with God on the way to work. Why don't I do that on the way home also? Why am I so quick to fill my time with other things? If I love God, I should want to spend as much time with Him as I can. Help me Lord to seek your face throughout the day.
I sense Your nudging of Your Spirit to spend more time with You... help me to be better at listening to that small voice and then be quick to obey. If I love God, I should want to obey Him. Help me Lord to be better and better at obeying You.
Love is a verb. I can not do it on my own strength. I needs God's love flowing through me to love Him and others. That love will totally depend on my level of gratitude for what Jesus has done for me on the cross. If I think Jesus has saved me from a little bit of sin, then I will only love Him a little. But, If I continually remind myself of all that Jesus did for me and all my past, present and future sins caused Him to suffer... then, I am in a place of gratitude, humility, submission, reverence and worship. I want my life to be a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to You. I have to continually remind myself of Jesus' suffering and my selfishness. It is pretty easy to remind myself of my selfishness because it keep popping up and showing itself to me and others.
Life is all about relationships. Number one... Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Number two... love others as yourself. There is no Number three... love yourself, because we don't need to be told to do that. Satan wants us to focus on ourself. God wants us to focus on Him first, so we turn from selfishness, and then others, so we are able to love them through His strength.
Day 102
It is so easy to say the word Love. It is so hard to live it. I want to love God. I need His love flowing through me to love my wife, kids, friends and students. I say I love God but how often do I choose other things over God. I want to spend more and more time with God. I don't turn on my radio, in the morning, on the way to work, so I can pray and talk with God on the way to work. Why don't I do that on the way home also? Why am I so quick to fill my time with other things? If I love God, I should want to spend as much time with Him as I can. Help me Lord to seek your face throughout the day.
I sense Your nudging of Your Spirit to spend more time with You... help me to be better at listening to that small voice and then be quick to obey. If I love God, I should want to obey Him. Help me Lord to be better and better at obeying You.
Love is a verb. I can not do it on my own strength. I needs God's love flowing through me to love Him and others. That love will totally depend on my level of gratitude for what Jesus has done for me on the cross. If I think Jesus has saved me from a little bit of sin, then I will only love Him a little. But, If I continually remind myself of all that Jesus did for me and all my past, present and future sins caused Him to suffer... then, I am in a place of gratitude, humility, submission, reverence and worship. I want my life to be a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to You. I have to continually remind myself of Jesus' suffering and my selfishness. It is pretty easy to remind myself of my selfishness because it keep popping up and showing itself to me and others.
Life is all about relationships. Number one... Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Number two... love others as yourself. There is no Number three... love yourself, because we don't need to be told to do that. Satan wants us to focus on ourself. God wants us to focus on Him first, so we turn from selfishness, and then others, so we are able to love them through His strength.
Day 102
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Evil
I had a student ask me the other day if I believed in mediums. I told the student that I would not have anything to do with them and that they should stay away from them. Others students then spoke up in agreement for them and some spoke up against them. I told them that we needed to get going on the math and I changed the subject.
I was surprised by the subject and needed more time to decide if I should talk about it. I plan on talking about evil. Evil does exist and so many students participate in it recreationally in the form of books, movies, music and pornography on their computers and phones.
I want to first get my students to agree that their is evil in this world. I also want them to know that we are all capable of doing evil things. We don't get to decide what is right and what is wrong... that is God's job and He has told us in the Bible.
Kids read books like the Twilight series or Harry Porter for entertainment. These are the main type of books kids at school read. It is creepy! When I was their age, there were books about witches and vampires, but the people that read and liked them were social deviants. Every body thought they were creepy. Now it is common place and there even exists an expectation of knowledge about these subjects. Kids are surprised when you tell them you haven't read these books and even more surprised if/when you say they are evil.
Kids today have NO IDEA what evil is. They have little to no idea what sin is.
You can't save someone unless they know they need to be saved.
Kids need to know they are sinners. Kids need to know their is evil. I am so disappointed how much the Christian community has embraced evil. I want to walk with God and live a holy life. I fail myself and get caught up in the allure of worldly things myself. I pray that God will help me to be a witness at school to my students. There are so many lost students. Lord help me to be a good witness in word and deed.
Day 101
I was surprised by the subject and needed more time to decide if I should talk about it. I plan on talking about evil. Evil does exist and so many students participate in it recreationally in the form of books, movies, music and pornography on their computers and phones.
I want to first get my students to agree that their is evil in this world. I also want them to know that we are all capable of doing evil things. We don't get to decide what is right and what is wrong... that is God's job and He has told us in the Bible.
Kids read books like the Twilight series or Harry Porter for entertainment. These are the main type of books kids at school read. It is creepy! When I was their age, there were books about witches and vampires, but the people that read and liked them were social deviants. Every body thought they were creepy. Now it is common place and there even exists an expectation of knowledge about these subjects. Kids are surprised when you tell them you haven't read these books and even more surprised if/when you say they are evil.
Kids today have NO IDEA what evil is. They have little to no idea what sin is.
You can't save someone unless they know they need to be saved.
Kids need to know they are sinners. Kids need to know their is evil. I am so disappointed how much the Christian community has embraced evil. I want to walk with God and live a holy life. I fail myself and get caught up in the allure of worldly things myself. I pray that God will help me to be a witness at school to my students. There are so many lost students. Lord help me to be a good witness in word and deed.
Day 101
Friday, March 14, 2014
Pain
Today I am having a 'bad day.' About 3 and a half years ago I started having lots of different symptoms. One of the main symptoms is pain. On my bad days, I feel like I have the flu but I don't. I went to all kinds of doctors and none of them helped me at all.
I am at the place where I simply try to have a good attitude about it... because it could always be worse.
I am physically sensitive to my emotions. This means that when I have strong emotions about something, I usually get sick. As a result, I try to guard my thought life. Negative emotions do the most harm to me.
I have so much to be thankful for. I am not writing this hoping for sympathy. I am simply giving you more facts about who I am and where I am coming from.
The best thing for all of us to do is to get our eyes off of ourselves and put them on God and others. The worst thing to do is keep your eyes on yourself.
Day 100
I am at the place where I simply try to have a good attitude about it... because it could always be worse.
I am physically sensitive to my emotions. This means that when I have strong emotions about something, I usually get sick. As a result, I try to guard my thought life. Negative emotions do the most harm to me.
I have so much to be thankful for. I am not writing this hoping for sympathy. I am simply giving you more facts about who I am and where I am coming from.
The best thing for all of us to do is to get our eyes off of ourselves and put them on God and others. The worst thing to do is keep your eyes on yourself.
Day 100
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Challenges
I recently had a meeting after school with the parents of a struggling student of mine. We first met without the student present. I talked about the importance of their student being more and more responsible and respectful. They both smiled and agreed. I talked about the importance of their student honoring them, and using that desire to honor, to steer the decisions and choices that will be made. They smiled and agreed. I talked about the importance of them being united in the decisions they make as parents. They agreed. I talked about the importance of their student growing in looking for ways to succeed and turning from looking for reasons to fail. They totally agreed.
Then we had their student come in and I was so disappointed to watch their student argue, interrupt, refuse to take responsibility, and even say harsh words. The student eventually got up and walked out of the meeting.
I turned to the parents and told them they needed to be united and start punishing disrespectful and irresponsible behaviors. I told them that that was the worst demonstration of respect I've ever seen in a meeting by a student.
I am praying for them.
I want to love, encourage, exhort, challenge and motivate all of my students relentlessly and unconditionally. I do not want to judge. I want to speak the truth in love. I kept asking the parents if what I was saying was OK with them. I was simply giving Biblical advice. I tried to share Biblical principles with them throughout our meeting.
One of the most loving things we can do as parents and teachers is discipline our children/students when they need it. One of the most hateful things we can do is ignore and/or even encourage poor behavior.
I have to work with the students I have. I have little to no control over their parents and the most challenging student often come from homes where there are challenges.
Day 99
Then we had their student come in and I was so disappointed to watch their student argue, interrupt, refuse to take responsibility, and even say harsh words. The student eventually got up and walked out of the meeting.
I turned to the parents and told them they needed to be united and start punishing disrespectful and irresponsible behaviors. I told them that that was the worst demonstration of respect I've ever seen in a meeting by a student.
I am praying for them.
I want to love, encourage, exhort, challenge and motivate all of my students relentlessly and unconditionally. I do not want to judge. I want to speak the truth in love. I kept asking the parents if what I was saying was OK with them. I was simply giving Biblical advice. I tried to share Biblical principles with them throughout our meeting.
One of the most loving things we can do as parents and teachers is discipline our children/students when they need it. One of the most hateful things we can do is ignore and/or even encourage poor behavior.
I have to work with the students I have. I have little to no control over their parents and the most challenging student often come from homes where there are challenges.
Day 99
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
No small problems
I have been frustrated with the behavior of several students in the hallway... no, what really has frustrated me is how we as a staff have handled poor behavior in the hallway.
I've expressed my concerns and frustrations with every administrator and even our security person, but none of them have done anything to fix the problem. Quite to the opposite, what they have done has only made the problem worse. Asking a student to move along or stop blocking the hallway is not effective when they are still blocking the hallway in March.
I recently talked with a person of authority at our school and expressed my concern about this problem. He told me that 'In the big picture, this was really a pretty small problem.'
I SAW RED.
I told him that when small problems are not handled correctly they become big problems. Anyways, are meeting was unfruitful in my opinion. I saw him today and apologized for venting my frustration to him. He forgave me and then we had a great conversation.
I told him that if we handled this problem correctly, we would not still have this problem. We have been training our worst students to brake school rules. It was our responsibility to train all students to respect themselves and others. We have not been doing this. We have to expect all students to be able to follow rules and be respectful. We can not have rules we beg students to follow and never give consequences for when some don't. When a student knowingly brakes a rule, it is now open defiance.
Anyways, today he listened to me, heard me and agreed with me. I told him I would go out in the hall and give consequences for braking rules if I wasn't the only one doing that. I told him that it was important for all of us to give out consequences... no more warnings.
We need to train and expect all students to demonstrate respect for others. It is time to act like there is a new sheriff in town!!
Day 97
I've expressed my concerns and frustrations with every administrator and even our security person, but none of them have done anything to fix the problem. Quite to the opposite, what they have done has only made the problem worse. Asking a student to move along or stop blocking the hallway is not effective when they are still blocking the hallway in March.
I recently talked with a person of authority at our school and expressed my concern about this problem. He told me that 'In the big picture, this was really a pretty small problem.'
I SAW RED.
I told him that when small problems are not handled correctly they become big problems. Anyways, are meeting was unfruitful in my opinion. I saw him today and apologized for venting my frustration to him. He forgave me and then we had a great conversation.
I told him that if we handled this problem correctly, we would not still have this problem. We have been training our worst students to brake school rules. It was our responsibility to train all students to respect themselves and others. We have not been doing this. We have to expect all students to be able to follow rules and be respectful. We can not have rules we beg students to follow and never give consequences for when some don't. When a student knowingly brakes a rule, it is now open defiance.
Anyways, today he listened to me, heard me and agreed with me. I told him I would go out in the hall and give consequences for braking rules if I wasn't the only one doing that. I told him that it was important for all of us to give out consequences... no more warnings.
We need to train and expect all students to demonstrate respect for others. It is time to act like there is a new sheriff in town!!
Day 97
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Everyone!
Today my last student in Algebra passed my perfect test on Linear Functions. We were all encouraging her on as she was taking her test. I will be bringing in donuts tomorrow for the class. I am so proud of them all.
100% of my students got 100% on a test that 100% failed in November.
I am very excited! I told my principal about it and he was very happy for me and my students. I am going to ask him to come in and congratulate each of my classes.
Day 97
100% of my students got 100% on a test that 100% failed in November.
I am very excited! I told my principal about it and he was very happy for me and my students. I am going to ask him to come in and congratulate each of my classes.
Day 97
Monday, March 10, 2014
Confession and celebration
There was a student in my first period class I was rude to last Friday. I started off class today by apologizing to her. She was surprised and quickly forgave me saying, "It was no big deal." I told her that I was wrong and there was no excuse for my being rude to her. I thanked her for forgiving me and reminded the entire class that my goal is to 'Love, encourage, exhort, challenge and motivate all of my students relentlessly and unconditionally.' I told them that I was probably going to fail at this every day. But when I did, I want to be responsible and confess my mistake and ask for forgiveness. I think a great way to teach confession and forgiveness is through example.
Also, today I brought in donuts for 2 of my classes. They all are perfect on their linear functions test. They were very happy and grateful. Students kept telling me thank you throughout the period. I told them I was very proud of their amazing accomplishment. I reminded them that in November, 100% of them failed the test. Now, 100% of them earned 100% on the test!! Pretty cool!!
I have one student still left to pass. She was at school today and we went over the concepts on the test. She will pass it soon and I can't wait for that.
Day 96
Also, today I brought in donuts for 2 of my classes. They all are perfect on their linear functions test. They were very happy and grateful. Students kept telling me thank you throughout the period. I told them I was very proud of their amazing accomplishment. I reminded them that in November, 100% of them failed the test. Now, 100% of them earned 100% on the test!! Pretty cool!!
I have one student still left to pass. She was at school today and we went over the concepts on the test. She will pass it soon and I can't wait for that.
Day 96
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Slave
I tell stories to my students once in a while. They really like them... or maybe they just like the break from math. Anyways... here is one of their favorites.
The summer before my 10th grade year, my brother and I were out at our parents beach place and we each had a friend out for the weekend. We loved water skiing. My brother was driving the boat and his friend was in the boat with him being the observer. We were skiing down at this place we call The Point, which is out in Longbranch at the mouth of Filucy Bay. Our parents were back at the cabin. We had long since gained the trust of them with the boat. We were a long ways out of their sight.
My friend was trying to get up on one ski(deep water start). He had learn to get up on 2 skis and then drop one, but he hadn't learn yet how to get up on one. Salt water around here is usually cold. After several tries he had to give up. My brother and his friend pulled him into the boat and then my brother punch the throttle full down and headed back towards the point, where I was waiting for my turn.
Before I go any further I want to ask a question of the reader. 'Have you ever walked on the beach and been overcome by the fear of being hit by a boat?' Everybody I ask that question to always says, "No." and looks at me with a weird expression on their face like what kind of stupid question is that? OK then... back to my story.
Meanwhile, I was standing ankle deep in the water so as to stop the boat from grinding against the beach when they get there. I was looking out to my right and about 50 yards off shore a bunch of seagulls started diving into the water. Herring were jumping out of the water. I saw the tail fin of a large salmon flash out of the water throwing up a spray. I even saw the head of a seal, pop up out of the water for a bit before it disappeared back under the water. I was totally engrossed with what was going on.
Meanwhile...
My brother, who was trying to be cool and was not looking where he was going, and was counting on the reaction of his friend, who was looking, to determine when he should start slowing down. Well... his friend had never been in a boat and come to find out later, he thought boats had brakes. My brother's friend finally started looking anxious and my brother turned to see how close he was to shore. At the same time I got this creepy feeling that something was terribly wrong and the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I suddenly heard the sound of a ski boat approaching. My adrenaline kicked in and I turned in slow motion to see my brother turn toward me. I saw the look of horror on his face and I could read his lips as he reached for the throttle to pull it back, he said, "Oh no."
He was in a 16 feet ski boat with a 70HP motor on it. He was going about 33 mph. I know because that is the fastest it could go and my brother had it pegged.
All's I had time to do was say, "Mommy!" and start to hunker, because they were only about 15 feet away from me.
Then... impact, pain and darkness.
I believe in guardian angels... maybe we even get a few. Or maybe that get to trade with other angels. Anyways, my guardian angel sure took a beating that day. The boat was clear out of the water. In fact, it was about 10 ft from the shore line. I was about 10 ft from the boat. All this was up hill. So lets do the math. 10 + 16 + 10 = 36...I flew uphill about 36 feet and didn't break a bone in my body!
I remember lying on my back in darkness only because my eyes were closed. I could hear the whine of the motor and my brother quickly shutting it off. Then he shook me and I opened my eyes and he said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Don't tell dad. Don't tell dad. Don't tell dad. I'll do anything. I'll do anything. I'll do anything. I'll be your slave." He kept repeating this.
Well I couldn't breath, as I had the wind knocked out of me and I didn't even know how much of me was still attached to me.
About the third or fourth time threw his little panicked begging my breath returned and I sucked in glorious air as he said the wonderful word again... SLAVE. You see, my brother was 2 years older than me... do I need to say anymore?
Now, I ignored him as I started my self-evaluation. Lying on my back, I raised my arms up so I could see my hands. The back of my right hand was bleeding a little. It had been cut from the bow light. I wiggled my fingers and moved my wrists and arms around and they worked!! I was so happy. Now for my legs. I didn't know if they were still their. I wiggled my toes, but I'd heard that amputees would 'wiggle' their toes. So I sat up and there they were. I WAS OK!!
My brother was still babbling, but now that I knew I was OK, I turned to him and said, "I am Ok. I will not tell dad. And YES, you are my slave!"
It was one of the best thing that had ever happened to me. To have your older brother as your slave?... it was great. I only had him do one thing. Every night we watched TV as a family and had a bowl of ice cream. I would wait for the best part of the best show and then 'ask' my brother for some ice cream, with Nestles Powdered Chocolate mix made into a thick syrup put over the top. And every night he would look back at me like 'dream on little brother.' I would raise my eye brows and tilt my head angelically and suddenly he would remember and off he would stomp to get me my ice cream. It was beautiful. It lasted for about 16 months until I did something wrong and that was the first thing he said was, "It is over! I am not your slave anymore!"
There is a verse in the Bible, Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good, to those who are called, according to His purpose." In this life, we will have difficult times. But God is always on His throne. He never stops loving us. He wants us to trust Him even in the midst of a difficult situation.
Day 95
The summer before my 10th grade year, my brother and I were out at our parents beach place and we each had a friend out for the weekend. We loved water skiing. My brother was driving the boat and his friend was in the boat with him being the observer. We were skiing down at this place we call The Point, which is out in Longbranch at the mouth of Filucy Bay. Our parents were back at the cabin. We had long since gained the trust of them with the boat. We were a long ways out of their sight.
My friend was trying to get up on one ski(deep water start). He had learn to get up on 2 skis and then drop one, but he hadn't learn yet how to get up on one. Salt water around here is usually cold. After several tries he had to give up. My brother and his friend pulled him into the boat and then my brother punch the throttle full down and headed back towards the point, where I was waiting for my turn.
Before I go any further I want to ask a question of the reader. 'Have you ever walked on the beach and been overcome by the fear of being hit by a boat?' Everybody I ask that question to always says, "No." and looks at me with a weird expression on their face like what kind of stupid question is that? OK then... back to my story.
Meanwhile, I was standing ankle deep in the water so as to stop the boat from grinding against the beach when they get there. I was looking out to my right and about 50 yards off shore a bunch of seagulls started diving into the water. Herring were jumping out of the water. I saw the tail fin of a large salmon flash out of the water throwing up a spray. I even saw the head of a seal, pop up out of the water for a bit before it disappeared back under the water. I was totally engrossed with what was going on.
Meanwhile...
My brother, who was trying to be cool and was not looking where he was going, and was counting on the reaction of his friend, who was looking, to determine when he should start slowing down. Well... his friend had never been in a boat and come to find out later, he thought boats had brakes. My brother's friend finally started looking anxious and my brother turned to see how close he was to shore. At the same time I got this creepy feeling that something was terribly wrong and the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I suddenly heard the sound of a ski boat approaching. My adrenaline kicked in and I turned in slow motion to see my brother turn toward me. I saw the look of horror on his face and I could read his lips as he reached for the throttle to pull it back, he said, "Oh no."
He was in a 16 feet ski boat with a 70HP motor on it. He was going about 33 mph. I know because that is the fastest it could go and my brother had it pegged.
All's I had time to do was say, "Mommy!" and start to hunker, because they were only about 15 feet away from me.
Then... impact, pain and darkness.
I believe in guardian angels... maybe we even get a few. Or maybe that get to trade with other angels. Anyways, my guardian angel sure took a beating that day. The boat was clear out of the water. In fact, it was about 10 ft from the shore line. I was about 10 ft from the boat. All this was up hill. So lets do the math. 10 + 16 + 10 = 36...I flew uphill about 36 feet and didn't break a bone in my body!
I remember lying on my back in darkness only because my eyes were closed. I could hear the whine of the motor and my brother quickly shutting it off. Then he shook me and I opened my eyes and he said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Don't tell dad. Don't tell dad. Don't tell dad. I'll do anything. I'll do anything. I'll do anything. I'll be your slave." He kept repeating this.
Well I couldn't breath, as I had the wind knocked out of me and I didn't even know how much of me was still attached to me.
About the third or fourth time threw his little panicked begging my breath returned and I sucked in glorious air as he said the wonderful word again... SLAVE. You see, my brother was 2 years older than me... do I need to say anymore?
Now, I ignored him as I started my self-evaluation. Lying on my back, I raised my arms up so I could see my hands. The back of my right hand was bleeding a little. It had been cut from the bow light. I wiggled my fingers and moved my wrists and arms around and they worked!! I was so happy. Now for my legs. I didn't know if they were still their. I wiggled my toes, but I'd heard that amputees would 'wiggle' their toes. So I sat up and there they were. I WAS OK!!
My brother was still babbling, but now that I knew I was OK, I turned to him and said, "I am Ok. I will not tell dad. And YES, you are my slave!"
It was one of the best thing that had ever happened to me. To have your older brother as your slave?... it was great. I only had him do one thing. Every night we watched TV as a family and had a bowl of ice cream. I would wait for the best part of the best show and then 'ask' my brother for some ice cream, with Nestles Powdered Chocolate mix made into a thick syrup put over the top. And every night he would look back at me like 'dream on little brother.' I would raise my eye brows and tilt my head angelically and suddenly he would remember and off he would stomp to get me my ice cream. It was beautiful. It lasted for about 16 months until I did something wrong and that was the first thing he said was, "It is over! I am not your slave anymore!"
There is a verse in the Bible, Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good, to those who are called, according to His purpose." In this life, we will have difficult times. But God is always on His throne. He never stops loving us. He wants us to trust Him even in the midst of a difficult situation.
Day 95
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Pick One
In Algebra we finished Ch. 7 on Thursday. We started Ch. 8 on Friday. Whenever we start a new chapter, I make it a habit of interviewing, in front of everyone, those students that did well or improved a lot. I ask them what were the two main reasons they did well. They tell me and everyone else, what they thought were the most important behavior things they did that helped them do well. I call these Learning Skills(see Poster). I have them listed up in the front of my class. I think it is way more powerful when students tell students what helps them learn... rather than me.
Then I asked them all to pick one Learning Skill, that they don't use very much or ever, that they think would be easy to start doing and would have the biggest impact on their learning. I let them think about this for a bit. Then I asked them to tell their neighbor what Learning Skill they want to start using regularly. I asked them to encourage each other about it and hold each other accountable.
There is so much room for improvement for all of my students. I encourage them to not get overwhelmed by all the Learning Skills they need to improve on and do nothing. It is best to pick the one they think will be the easiest to start doing and the most beneficial to their learning.
It is very empowering to them. It is important to be able to self-evaluate. As a Christian, I want to be good at knowing what I did well and what I need to change and/or avoid. I seek wisdom and the guidance on the Holy Spirit through God's Word.
Day 94
Then I asked them all to pick one Learning Skill, that they don't use very much or ever, that they think would be easy to start doing and would have the biggest impact on their learning. I let them think about this for a bit. Then I asked them to tell their neighbor what Learning Skill they want to start using regularly. I asked them to encourage each other about it and hold each other accountable.
There is so much room for improvement for all of my students. I encourage them to not get overwhelmed by all the Learning Skills they need to improve on and do nothing. It is best to pick the one they think will be the easiest to start doing and the most beneficial to their learning.
It is very empowering to them. It is important to be able to self-evaluate. As a Christian, I want to be good at knowing what I did well and what I need to change and/or avoid. I seek wisdom and the guidance on the Holy Spirit through God's Word.
Day 94
Encouraged
A Christian has one purpose and that is to glorify God. We do this by obeying Him. We obey Him by loving Him and loving others. We love others by encouraging and exhorting those who are Christians and sharing the Gospel, through word and deed, with those who are not Christians... yet.
I want to share the Gospel with each of my students. Changed hearts change lives. There is so much more I want to say to them everyday. I tell them I'm praying for them. I tell them others are praying for them.
I talk about spiritual truths with them regularly. They often tell me that I should be a preacher or a motivational speaker.
This blog is helping me to formalize many ideas about teaching all of my students. It also is a place to share out my successes and failures in class. It also is a place where I can be transparent to anyone out there and give them a view into my world. I am having great success with low students. I still have many to reach. I want to do my best with ALL of my students. It is a hope of mine that this blog would motivate and help other teachers and parents. It has only been since December that I've been blogging, but I have not received much encouragement via comments. Recently, however, I have been receiving very encouraging comments and commitments to prayers for my students. I have been very blessed by these. As a teacher, I am continually trying to encourage my students. Life has so many ways of sucking the courage out of us. I try to breath courage into each of my students and then I tell them where my courage comes from... THE LORD. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "In this world you will have tribulation, but do not fear, for I have overcome this world."
I just want to say, "THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT." "THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS." As the body of Christ, we need each other. I can do this alone and have... but it is amazing to have the prayers and encouragement of other I don't even know surrounding me and my students and lifting us up!! May the Lord richly bless you.
Day 93
I want to share the Gospel with each of my students. Changed hearts change lives. There is so much more I want to say to them everyday. I tell them I'm praying for them. I tell them others are praying for them.
I talk about spiritual truths with them regularly. They often tell me that I should be a preacher or a motivational speaker.
This blog is helping me to formalize many ideas about teaching all of my students. It also is a place to share out my successes and failures in class. It also is a place where I can be transparent to anyone out there and give them a view into my world. I am having great success with low students. I still have many to reach. I want to do my best with ALL of my students. It is a hope of mine that this blog would motivate and help other teachers and parents. It has only been since December that I've been blogging, but I have not received much encouragement via comments. Recently, however, I have been receiving very encouraging comments and commitments to prayers for my students. I have been very blessed by these. As a teacher, I am continually trying to encourage my students. Life has so many ways of sucking the courage out of us. I try to breath courage into each of my students and then I tell them where my courage comes from... THE LORD. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "In this world you will have tribulation, but do not fear, for I have overcome this world."
I just want to say, "THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT." "THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS." As the body of Christ, we need each other. I can do this alone and have... but it is amazing to have the prayers and encouragement of other I don't even know surrounding me and my students and lifting us up!! May the Lord richly bless you.
Day 93
Help
I wrote yesterday about only having one student left that needs to pass my perfect test on linear functions. It feels like the parable Jesus told of the shepherd who had 100 sheep and lost one. He left the other 99 and went looking for the lost one. When he found it, he was very happy. I always wondered what happened to the 99 while the shepherd was gone. Who looked after the sheep? I am not god. Jesus looks after all of us, all the time. I need to not get so focused on my lost sheep that I stop caring for all the rest. I need to love all of my students right where they are at. They are all in so many different places. It feels so impossible and is. I NEED GOD'S HELP. I need prayer. I need help from my students. I need help from all my students to seek to grow and be more and more responsible. I need help from my successful students to reach out and connect with their neighbor and help them. I need help from my struggling students to seek help and confirmation of understanding from their neighbor and me.
I am so close to the goal I set last fall... I don't want to become blind to all the rest of my students. I need to teach them all and reach the struggling individuals. It feels overwhelming most of the time. There is such a strong and powerful urge to give up on many of my students. I need to continually be filled with God's love, grace, wisdom, faith and hope. I can not well these up in myself. They have to come from God. I am always encouraged by, "In my weakness His strength is made perfect." When I feel my weakest, it is then that I've lost all pride... it is then that I get to step aside and watch God do amazing things. "I must decrease so He can increase."
Day 92
I am so close to the goal I set last fall... I don't want to become blind to all the rest of my students. I need to teach them all and reach the struggling individuals. It feels overwhelming most of the time. There is such a strong and powerful urge to give up on many of my students. I need to continually be filled with God's love, grace, wisdom, faith and hope. I can not well these up in myself. They have to come from God. I am always encouraged by, "In my weakness His strength is made perfect." When I feel my weakest, it is then that I've lost all pride... it is then that I get to step aside and watch God do amazing things. "I must decrease so He can increase."
Day 92
Friday, March 7, 2014
One Left
Sara and two other of my Algebra 1 students passed their perfect test on linear functions today. They were each so excited. I spoke to each of them about how proud I am of them and they were all smiles. They each kept thanking me. I feel so blessed to see struggling students succeed. There is nothing better than to see a student who failed a test get a perfect score on one similar to it.
I only have one student left and she is capable but absent a lot. She will make it. She simply needs to show up.
Two of my classes will be getting donuts this Monday. They are very excited. It will be fun to reward them for their hard work, persistence, improvement and excellence.
Day 91
I only have one student left and she is capable but absent a lot. She will make it. She simply needs to show up.
Two of my classes will be getting donuts this Monday. They are very excited. It will be fun to reward them for their hard work, persistence, improvement and excellence.
Day 91
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Yes!
Sara, a formerly struggling student I've written about lately, walked into class again today and was the only person to tell me before the test that she was excited to finish her test today. I was so hopeful that she would get into the 70s and she DID!!
She was happy with the result but she is hungry to do even better on the next test. She has changed! She is going to be fine. I am so proud of her. I am so thankful for the prayers of others for her and the rest of my students.
I told my principal about how she has changed and how well she did and he was glad to here the good news. I told our counselor about her also and she was so happy.
I have to reach each student before I can test them... especially the struggling students. It is so cool to see the lights come on in a struggling student.
While I was talking with the counselor, she told me about another student I have in a different class. She told me that he has lots of issues and needs a mentor. I told her that I would be happy to try my best. I'll call him Steve. Please pray for Steve, my other students and me. I want all of my students to grow, learn and succeed. I need God's help.
Day 90
She was happy with the result but she is hungry to do even better on the next test. She has changed! She is going to be fine. I am so proud of her. I am so thankful for the prayers of others for her and the rest of my students.
I told my principal about how she has changed and how well she did and he was glad to here the good news. I told our counselor about her also and she was so happy.
I have to reach each student before I can test them... especially the struggling students. It is so cool to see the lights come on in a struggling student.
While I was talking with the counselor, she told me about another student I have in a different class. She told me that he has lots of issues and needs a mentor. I told her that I would be happy to try my best. I'll call him Steve. Please pray for Steve, my other students and me. I want all of my students to grow, learn and succeed. I need God's help.
Day 90
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
FOUR LEFT
Today I had another of my struggling students get a perfect score on a linear functions test. He has tried about 7 times and failed every time. The persistence, determination, humility and effort required to get to the place of excellence when coming from a place of failure is so rewarding. I'll call him Chuck. Chuck was so happy when I told him he made it. He beamed. A classmate quickly congratulated him and so did I as we 'high fived'. I told him to get a piece of tape. Chuck smiled as he got his tape and took his test to the back of the room to tape up on the wall with all the others who have made it.
It is so awesome to see a struggling student achieve at a high level. I believe success is very helpful in breeding success. Chuck thanked me a few times when I told him how he did. I told him I was very proud of him. I told him, "Thank you for your effort and persistence. You should be proud of yourself."
I only have 4 left... Sara and 3 others. When an entire class has gotten perfect, I will bring them donuts. One class needs 2 more to pass. Two other classes only need one student more in each to get perfect. They have to get perfect to pass... although, now after 5 tries, if a student makes one mistake, I let them fix it if they can.
I want all of my students to achieve at a high level... and not only can they... I am seeing them do it.
Praise God.
Day 89
It is so awesome to see a struggling student achieve at a high level. I believe success is very helpful in breeding success. Chuck thanked me a few times when I told him how he did. I told him I was very proud of him. I told him, "Thank you for your effort and persistence. You should be proud of yourself."
I only have 4 left... Sara and 3 others. When an entire class has gotten perfect, I will bring them donuts. One class needs 2 more to pass. Two other classes only need one student more in each to get perfect. They have to get perfect to pass... although, now after 5 tries, if a student makes one mistake, I let them fix it if they can.
I want all of my students to achieve at a high level... and not only can they... I am seeing them do it.
Praise God.
Day 89
Excited
The student I've been writing about, Sara, in recent blogs, told me today that she was excited for her test today. She smiled at me and told me that she looked forward to taking her test!!! I can't believe the change I am seeing in this student. It is like a fragile plant has suddenly taken root and a beautiful flower is blooming. I told her that I was so proud of her. I told her that I and others have been praying for her. Now I just read an anonymous comment on my blog, telling me that they are praying for her and I am crying typing this. I need prayer. These students need prayer and love. I can't do this in my own strength... I will fail... but... "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I hope and pray she does well enough to be happy with the score she gets but hungers to do even better on her next test.
This was such a low struggling student! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE CHANGE I'M SEEING!!
PRAISE GOD. He gets all the glory... I'll be more than content with the joy.
I went to the counselor's office today to tell her about this student I call Sara. She couldn't believe it. She thanked me for the good news for a change about a student and told me that she was going to call Sara's mom with the good news of her improvement.
This student, Sara, has had many physical and emotional challenges in her life. She has lots of sets of capital letters in her file(like ADD). She has had lots of reasons to fail in the past and has been good at using them to justify her failures. HOWEVER, NOW, she is looking for ways to learn, succeed and grow... and she is. In this life, you will find what ever you are looking for. The challenge for us all is to look for the good.
Day 88
This was such a low struggling student! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE CHANGE I'M SEEING!!
PRAISE GOD. He gets all the glory... I'll be more than content with the joy.
I went to the counselor's office today to tell her about this student I call Sara. She couldn't believe it. She thanked me for the good news for a change about a student and told me that she was going to call Sara's mom with the good news of her improvement.
This student, Sara, has had many physical and emotional challenges in her life. She has lots of sets of capital letters in her file(like ADD). She has had lots of reasons to fail in the past and has been good at using them to justify her failures. HOWEVER, NOW, she is looking for ways to learn, succeed and grow... and she is. In this life, you will find what ever you are looking for. The challenge for us all is to look for the good.
Day 88
Elevator
Today we had the first day of two days of testing on Chapter 7 in Algebra. Everybody wants to try hard and get problems right on test days. The problem is not everybody wants to try hard and get problems right all the other days in between tests. Successful students want to get problems right every day. Struggling students only want to get problems right on test days... it really doesn't bother them to make mistakes on all the other days. Successful students PASSIONATELY STRIVE FOR ACCURACY every day. Struggling students are content to try some and/or get an answer.
I tell them on test day that it is like 2 people get in an elevator and one person has gas... everybody is going to know who has gas. TRANSLATION: If a student of mine stinks up the tests, we both are going to know... there is no where to hide on test day when you have to show your work.
Day 87
I tell them on test day that it is like 2 people get in an elevator and one person has gas... everybody is going to know who has gas. TRANSLATION: If a student of mine stinks up the tests, we both are going to know... there is no where to hide on test day when you have to show your work.
Day 87
High Fives
I love seeing a student succeed... especially one that has struggled and perseveres! It is such a cool thing to see.
As I have written in previous blogs, I am giving perfect tests on linear functions in my Algebra classes. They have to get a perfect score to pass, otherwise they have to try again. I give them a different test each time and go over their mistakes with them. Also, fellow students are helping these remaining students to understand and learn from their mistakes.
Today I had 2 students pass! They were very proud and happy. Their friends and classmates smiled and congratulated them on their achievement. These students have failed the test several times by now and have not given up but rather have persisted and succeeded... BEAUTIFUL. There is no better success than one that comes after repeated failures. To see students achieve at a high level when there was no hope... it is simply humbling and a deep joy.
I have only FIVE students left to pass. THEY WILL ALL MAKE IT!!! I know they will and can't wait for it to actually happen. I have already had one class were they all passed, and they all got donuts. I will bring in donuts to each class as they all pass. They are very excited because it is down to just one or two left in each class left now.
I want to give hope to the hopeless... it is such a privilege, responsibility, challenge and joy. To give real hope, I need to give them real tools to succeed. That is why I try to teach them as much as I can from my 4 posters (see Posters). I am not trying to sell anything here. I am simply saying that this is what I do... I teach the ideas, strategies, skills, and behaviors on the posters so they can learn the math.
Day 86
As I have written in previous blogs, I am giving perfect tests on linear functions in my Algebra classes. They have to get a perfect score to pass, otherwise they have to try again. I give them a different test each time and go over their mistakes with them. Also, fellow students are helping these remaining students to understand and learn from their mistakes.
Today I had 2 students pass! They were very proud and happy. Their friends and classmates smiled and congratulated them on their achievement. These students have failed the test several times by now and have not given up but rather have persisted and succeeded... BEAUTIFUL. There is no better success than one that comes after repeated failures. To see students achieve at a high level when there was no hope... it is simply humbling and a deep joy.
I have only FIVE students left to pass. THEY WILL ALL MAKE IT!!! I know they will and can't wait for it to actually happen. I have already had one class were they all passed, and they all got donuts. I will bring in donuts to each class as they all pass. They are very excited because it is down to just one or two left in each class left now.
I want to give hope to the hopeless... it is such a privilege, responsibility, challenge and joy. To give real hope, I need to give them real tools to succeed. That is why I try to teach them as much as I can from my 4 posters (see Posters). I am not trying to sell anything here. I am simply saying that this is what I do... I teach the ideas, strategies, skills, and behaviors on the posters so they can learn the math.
Day 86
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Hope
Hope is such a powerful part of love. Hope allows us to face defeat, disappointment and even perceived impossibilities and KEEP GOING. I love hope. God is the God of second chances... He is the God of HOPE. Hope allows me to keep trying to reach a student that is screaming at me with all their actions, behaviors and attitudes to give up on them. Hope allows me to not listen to their external screaming but hear their quiet internal calling for help. Hope is selfless. It enables me to disregard my frustrations and hurt feelings. I have to continually seek God's help to hope. I can't well it up on my own and have any real power to it. The hope that comes from God's love is powerful... it can change lives. I see it happen at school. I'm seeing it happen with a fragile little girl at school. I am not bragging because it is not mine to brag about... but God's.
I'll call her Sara. I've already talked about her some in previous blogs. She is really improving. She is my lowest student in Algebra. A few months ago I couldn't even talk to her... she would shrink from any form of communication with me. She wouldn't look me in the eye. She didn't appear to try at all. She seemed so broken and fragile. Now she asks me questions. I've gotten some smiles out of her. She looks me in the eye. I asked her to do a problem on the board the other day and she made a mistake. I complemented her on what she had done right and thanked her for making a mistake because others must have also. She wasn't shy or awkward about making a mistake or my talking about it. She has her Chapter 7 test tomorrow. I pray she does well enough to be proud of her score. I am already proud of her improvement. I hope it translate into a good test score. I hope she gets at least a 70%. I know she would be happy with that. But I am already proud and thankful of the improvement I'm seeing in her. I pray that God will help me help her more and more.
Day 85
I'll call her Sara. I've already talked about her some in previous blogs. She is really improving. She is my lowest student in Algebra. A few months ago I couldn't even talk to her... she would shrink from any form of communication with me. She wouldn't look me in the eye. She didn't appear to try at all. She seemed so broken and fragile. Now she asks me questions. I've gotten some smiles out of her. She looks me in the eye. I asked her to do a problem on the board the other day and she made a mistake. I complemented her on what she had done right and thanked her for making a mistake because others must have also. She wasn't shy or awkward about making a mistake or my talking about it. She has her Chapter 7 test tomorrow. I pray she does well enough to be proud of her score. I am already proud of her improvement. I hope it translate into a good test score. I hope she gets at least a 70%. I know she would be happy with that. But I am already proud and thankful of the improvement I'm seeing in her. I pray that God will help me help her more and more.
Day 85
Monday, March 3, 2014
Nothing
Tonight I was 'helping' one of my sons with his math. I got frustrated with his mistakes and I was rude, harsh and impatient with him. I am so disgusted with myself. I would never be so harsh to a student at school. Why did I allow myself to be so mean to my own son?
I apologized and he forgave me... but I am just sick about it. This is not the first time I've been rude to any of my kids. Oh God, help me to truly repent of this. I don't want to EVER be mean to any of my kids again. I try so hard to respect and be patient with my students at school. I can not let my guard down at home. I need God's love in me constantly. I am a sinner. I have the ability to be mean in me. I am so dependent on God's love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. I am nothing without God.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
I apologized and he forgave me... but I am just sick about it. This is not the first time I've been rude to any of my kids. Oh God, help me to truly repent of this. I don't want to EVER be mean to any of my kids again. I try so hard to respect and be patient with my students at school. I can not let my guard down at home. I need God's love in me constantly. I am a sinner. I have the ability to be mean in me. I am so dependent on God's love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. I am nothing without God.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Evaluation
I had my mid-year evaluation this past week. I am so excited about the successes I'm having with my low Algebra students and that I'm down to only 7 that still need to get a perfect score on the perfect test for linear functions. I kept waiting for my principal to bring it up, but the meeting came to an end and I had to remind him about my student goal. Then he asked about it and I told him and he gave me a weak encouragement and really seemed indifferent about my success. I left the meeting feeling frustrated and I am still trying to decide if I should talk to my principal about my concerns.
It just feels creepy telling him that I want him to do a better job of praising me... but I've told him about several of my successes with different struggling students and the response I keep getting is weak approval. It feels like he is telling me with his actions to shut up and stop wasting his time with my lamb stories about these low kids.
I know in my heart that it doesn't matter what my principal thinks, but what God thinks. I want to please God. I want to glorify God. I need God's help to reach and teach all of my students and I don't want to ever give up on any one of them. I will bring donuts to each class when all of them have gotten 100% on their perfect test. We will celebrate our success together and it really doesn't matter if my principal cares or not... but it would be nice.
Day 83
It just feels creepy telling him that I want him to do a better job of praising me... but I've told him about several of my successes with different struggling students and the response I keep getting is weak approval. It feels like he is telling me with his actions to shut up and stop wasting his time with my lamb stories about these low kids.
I know in my heart that it doesn't matter what my principal thinks, but what God thinks. I want to please God. I want to glorify God. I need God's help to reach and teach all of my students and I don't want to ever give up on any one of them. I will bring donuts to each class when all of them have gotten 100% on their perfect test. We will celebrate our success together and it really doesn't matter if my principal cares or not... but it would be nice.
Day 83
Pain
I am feeling the weight of other peoples pains. There are so many people with heart-ache and pain in their life. I want to do all I can to help my students and friends get to the other side of the pain they are dealing with. I am praying for them. This is the most important thing I can do. I also need to what I can to encourage, exhort, love and challenge them to confess and forgive as needed. I see many of my students stuck in a trap of poor effort and behaviors that is built by bitterness and irresponsibility. I want to love them as they are but also help them get to a place where they will be able to succeed and keep succeeding.
There is so much pain in so many peoples lives... including my own. I am so thankful for God's love and grace. I would be nothing without these.
Lord, heal me and help me to help others.
Day 82
There is so much pain in so many peoples lives... including my own. I am so thankful for God's love and grace. I would be nothing without these.
Lord, heal me and help me to help others.
Day 82
Down to 7
I had one of my lowest students in Algebra pass the perfect test on linear functions on Friday. She was very proud of herself and I was and still am very happy for her. It is so cool to see a struggling student not only learn but do excellently on a test. She is asking questions and demonstrating many learning skills now.
Now she needs to focus on Ch 7 test for this coming Wednesday. I will hold off on giving perfect tests in Lab until after Wednesday. This coming Thursday and Friday, I will focus on trying to get these last seven to pass the linear function test.
Day 81
Now she needs to focus on Ch 7 test for this coming Wednesday. I will hold off on giving perfect tests in Lab until after Wednesday. This coming Thursday and Friday, I will focus on trying to get these last seven to pass the linear function test.
Day 81
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