Chasing after slowing down

      Sometimes I feel like I'm being sustained by the notion that "If I just keep working long hours and get everything done, soon I will be able to slow down."  I chase this idea that the harder I work now, the less hard I will have to work in the future.  While this holds merit in some circumstances and professions, it is not a reality of teaching.  I have this image of myself "chasing the slow down," where I am running after a tortoise, hoping to catch up with it so that we can talk a slow, leisurely walk together.  I can never seem to catch the tortoise.  He remains ahead and sometimes hidden, elusive.

      Is peace and rest elusive in your teacher life?  You are not alone!  If you resonated with my word picture while at the same time found it ridiculous--we're on the same page.  Peace is not something we can find and catch by wearing ourselves out running pell-mell after it.  Both Psalm 34:14 and 1 Peter 3:11 tell us to "...seek peace and pursue it."  But it seems counterproductive to sacrifice peace in order to pursue it.  Maybe our pursuit of peace should be daily, hourly.  I do not think working harder, faster or stronger will really put us on the path of peace.

      We cannot always count on our circumstances to change in order that we might have peace.  We can count on God's provision in giving us peace when we seek it.  A peace amidst the chaos.  A peace that seems out of place for our circumstances.

      So if I nix my crazy "chasing the slow down" image.  What does it look like to pursue peace?

Here we are, gearing up for another Monday.  Here are some Monday thoughts for you:

• If you have a rough Monday, let that help you look forward to the rest of the week.

• If you were to count the number of Mondays left in your school day, you might be pleasantly surprised.

• You may not be looking forward to Monday, but there's a kid in your classroom who's been aching for it all weekend--Monday means a return to stability and a safe place.

• Here's a link to a list of reasons why Mondays aren't necessarily horrible.  For example, supposedly we get the least rain on Mondays: http://www.chron.com/news/slideshow/Why-Mondays-aren-t-that-terrible-73382/photo-5394940.php

• Lastly, Mondays are a fresh start-make the most of it!

Image Bearers Part 4 of 4

What about me?  While watching out for the fun God glimpses amongst my students, how can I also be an image bearer?

Because each of us was made in God's image, we reflect Him.  Period.  That's truth.  It doesn't always seem like it though.

Overwhelmed.

Stressed.

Frazzled.

Frantic.

Tired.

All of these things we teachers feel on a fairly regular basis.  How can God be found in these things?  When things are piling up both on your desk and inside your head...where is God in that?

Although He is perfect and infinite, and we are neither.  I believe that my teacher life has attributes that can reflect who He is.  Here are two of my favorites:

1.  Faithful
For some of your students. you may be the one of most consistent adults in their life.  Your days may have ups and downs, but you show up.  Your faithfulness in being there for your students, consistent with your procedures and expectations, mirrors a quality of our God.  May your faithfulness in showing up for your students (in all the ways that may mean) point them to the One who is the most faithful.

2.  Loves the individual
Some days, when I look around my classroom, I feel such a relief to know that my God is limitless.  As a teacher, I care about the needs, strengths and weaknesses of each individual student.  But as a teacher, my day is full and busy and I am stretched thin among many individual students.  I so wish I could meet each student's need on a more individual level.  This could be a slap in the face of my finite, limited self (it often is).  I can't do it all.  I do serve One who can.  That teacher instinct of wanting to love and serve individuals makes us image bearers of our God who desires an individual relationship with each person on the planet.  We carry the reflection of His compassion and empathy.  I pray that I can keep in perspective the reality of my humanity alongside my potential as an image bearer of our King.

Image Bearers: Part 3 of 4

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’  So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” 

--Genesis 1:26-27

If you think I'm harping on this verse, you're right.  I need to remember this truth daily.  It arms me with the knowledge of who I am and reminds me of who others were created to be as well.  With the knowledge of who you and each of your students were created to emulate, you can change the atmosphere of your classroom.  The idea of self-fulfilling prophesies and setting high expectations for students is one that is often preached to teachers.  “Set the bar high and be amazed at what your students can do.”  Of course.  We know this to be true.  Let the idea of your students being created in the image of our King help you set expectations.  No humans are perfect, but they do reflect someone who is.  Isn’t that an encouraging thought?  Use what you know to call out the best in your students.  Recognize the good that they are capable of and ask for it.  When you see those positive traits or behaviors that lighten your spirit and remind you of Who created them, call out these positive things.  Maybe you’re already doing this as part of your daily classroom management: “I really like how Sarah followed instructions right away.”  “Wasn’t it kind of Jack to help his friend clean up?”  Isn’t the mood in your classroom so much better when you point out and praise the positives, as opposed to when you’ve spent the day correcting and punishing?  When you see these examples of God’s mercy, of His goodness, His love, humor or perseverance, call out and encourage these qualities in your students.  Know that you’re not merely reinforcing positive behavior, you’re acknowledging and praising God’s image reflected in them.

My students shared more than just a glimpse into who God is...
We are all imperfect, human image bearers. 

Image Bearers Part 2 of 4

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’  So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

--Genesis 1:26-27

Each person was created to bear the image of our Creator. 

 On Sunday, I wrote that my challenge for the week was to try to see our students in this way.  I referred to it as a challenge for a reason.  Seeing the good in others is not always easy.  Sometimes a glaring, ugly, undesired behavior gets in the way.  Sometimes our own lack of patience gets in the way.  Somehow we manage to do it when parent-teacher conferences roll around.  Whatever it is I’ve got to talk to the parents about, and however unpleasant it might be, I was trained to always begin with a positive.  This builds rapport with the parent and guides the tone of the conversation.  Before conferences, I write up a short list of “strengths” and “goals” for each student, so that I don’t have to think on the fly with this.  Writing down the strengths is a great exercise for looking for the best in my students.  It’s something I should do more often to help me see each student as God sees him or her.  A new perspective is never a bad thing.  Maybe your Chatty Kathy’s ability to build relationships with others reflects God’s desire to be in relationship with us.  Maybe your artistic student puts God’s wonderful creativity on display.  We know that most parents think the world of their kids and delight in their abilities and personalities.  Guess who else does the same thing?  Their Father.  He has created each one uniquely and in the likeness of Himself so he cherishes their qualities.  This is starting to get a little gushy, but it’s a truth that I wish I remembered more often.

Identifying strengths in each student is good, and it can be helpful to try to see that child from a parent’s perspective.  It would be even better however, to see that child from God’s perspective.  He says, I made you this way purposefully.  You are precious to me.  Maybe this week you just choose one student who you will commit to seeing with new eyes.  They are an image bearer, be convinced of it.  Choose to see beyond the attitude or beyond the snot and find something to cherish.

Image Bearers Part 1 of 4

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’  So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” 

--Genesis 1:26-27

Sometimes being human is the worst.  When we deal with aches and pains, with a stomach bug or with forgetfulness, we can feel very inadequate.  We use the phrase human error.  Is there really any other kind?  Sometimes a discontent with humanity can come not from glancing inward, but from the experiences we have with other humans.  Teachers deal with humans of varying size and reasonability all day long.  You experience their humanity in the B.O., the erratic behavior, and in the wet pants.  Yet each of these tiny, teenage, grouchy or hyperactive humans bears the image of God.

Humans are very different from God.  That kind of goes without saying.  He is so much more than our finite selves could ever hope to be.  We are however, set apart from the rest of creation because we are image bearers of God.  That means a part of Himself is IN us!  That’s something great about being human!  What an empowering thing to remember: you have qualities like those of God.  That alone should be able to put a little extra skip in your step.  Whenever you are feeling inadequate physically, mentally or emotionally, remember that you were made in such a way as to reflect the Creator of the Universe.  Hurrah (insert lion roar here).

What this also means is that not only you, but each human was created to bear God’s image.  That surly kid who sits in the back row of your third period class?  He bears God’s image.  Your neediest little peanut who needs nineteen trips to the nurse a day and can’t tie her own shoes?  She bears God’s image.  The I-definitely-just picked-my-nose-then-reached-into-the-communal-marker-bin-with-the-same-hand-kid?  Yup.  Image bearer.

So here’s a challenge for this week: How do your students bear God’s image?  Believe me, I need this challenge too (one of the above examples may be true-to-life)  This is about looking for the best in others.  Sometimes it may be hard to find...humans are the worst remember?  But thankfully God > humans and God’s likeness shows up in each of us in unique ways.  How might our Father reveal Himself to you through your students if you’re careful enough to look?

What matters most

Barely into my third year of teaching, I do not claim to have profound wisdom about how to be the perfect professional or have the perfect classroom.  Especially not when I’m fairly convinced that neither of those two things really exist.  My hope is to encourage those who have long crazy days similar to mine and to share thoughts as they come to mind.  Today, I’m thinking about what the most important part of our job is.

How can we align the beautiful vision we have for what our students will take away from being in our classroom for a school year with our day-in-day-out realities?

There are many different types of jobs in the world.  For some, you have set tasks that are completed during a set amount of hours during the day.  Some jobs are very linear: follow this exact procedure, each step done in the same way.  Others, teaching included, involve much more decision making and creativity.  Some jobs can only be completed while at work, some you can bring home, and others require the worker to be “on call.”  Some workers have projects with looming deadlines, some have the pressure of building things that are safe in order to save lives, or some literally save the very lives that are in front of them each day.  

The tasks, projects and other work of teaching are rarely things you can close the book on and claim “finished.”  Even when your grades are finalized and your papers are organized, there is always more work that can be done.  With so many aspects to each day of work, there are always things that can be tweaked and improved.  There’s always more that can be cleaned, learned, repaired or tried.  This creates the major need to prioritize.  And at the end of the day, what’s most important?

I think what matters most is a little bit different to each person.  I don’t think there’s one shining ideal reason that someone chooses to become a teacher.  Perhaps as we gain experience and wisdom, our goal for each school year shifts and changes to fit what we have learned to hope for.  Regardless of your personal answer to “the thing that matters most in your job,” it can be easy for “that thing” to get lost in the shuffle.

Right now, as our new year begins, you probably have expectations for the year, perhaps even aspirations for the year.  “This year, I will manage more consistently.”  “This year, I will pace my lessons more effectively.”  “This year, I will NOT allow students to break their tiny pencils off into MY pencil sharpener.”  You have a vision and a determination to make it so.  “I’ve got a plan for this year.”  And then you go to your first couple teacher meetings.  Suddenly you’re reminded of your standards, your curriculum maps, your role in leading the Fall Carnival, and the special training you have to go to learn to meet the needs of a new student (surprise!).  The to-do list begins to shift and your lovely “Independent Writing Corner” you had planned to create before the first student day gets pushed further and further down the list.  By November, you’ve made it through parent-teacher conferences and your idea of “vision” is surviving until Christmas Break with a minimal amount of meltdowns.  Sorry if this quick glimpse into the future was a little depressing…

First day of school picture

I wrote most of this post well before school 

started but some of it was scarily accurate.

So how can we align the beautiful vision we have for what our students will take away from being in our classroom for a school year with our day-in-day-out realities?  I really wish I knew.  My inkling right now is to start small and consider how I prioritize.  It’s easy (and usually important) to prioritize the things that are most visible or necessary to be prepared for the next day or week.  Of course, there are things that just MUST be done each day.  But let’s go back to our reason.  Why are we teaching?  What matters most?  If you don’t have answers to those questions, I encourage you to do a little soul-searching.  If you do, think about how you would like to convey them to your students and how these reasons might be reflected in your teaching practice.  If you want to make a difference in the lives of your students, what’s your game plan for that?  If you want to see both academic and character development in your students, what small things can you do to achieve this?  

Let’s make our goals for this new school year both attainable and aligned with our personal vision.  Let’s put our reason and our means of getting there at the top of our to-do lists.  I’d love to hear about ways you might already be doing this.  What’s your top priority and how do you keep it on top?