No place I would rather be

If I've done my math right, it's been over 3 weeks since my last post.

There's something about having a lot of work to do that makes me feel guilty for spending some of my time blogging.

But, since today has been one of those unproductive days -- you know, when you have a to-do list but accomplish nothing on it -- somehow I can justify doing yet something else that's not on my to-do list. Like blogging. Because it's relaxing. And a time to reflect. And because I think you'll enjoy reading about God's workings in my life during this past 3-week rollercoaster ride.

First, I have been OBSERVED 3 times [once each week] by my supervisor from the university, whom I know well and trust [he is also my academic adviser]. Each time, he has offered some valuable insight, like,

You said "Does that make sense?" 16 times in 45 minutes!

and

That kid had his hand raised and you totally ignored him!

and

You need to wipe that smile off your face when you're asking for the kids' attention!

Thanks to this constructive feedback, I rarely ask the kids "Does that make sense?" anymore. I am more aware of and try to acknowledge every student's raised hand. And I practiced my firm, "I mean business!" look when asking for the kids' attention, instead of saying it with a smile. Surprisingly, it worked! 

Probably may favorite part of my supervisor's observations, however, is his encouragement. He never fails to find some details of my lesson to praise. If it wasn't for his bits of encouragement, I may be convinced at this point that I STINK at teaching.

Second, I noticed that kids really do say the darndest things. After a few times of laughing hysterically over one of the kids' remarks, then forgetting what they had said by the following day, I started trying to write this stuff down. I figure that one day I'll be grateful I did. 

I'd like to share a couple of these gems with you, if you don't mind.

During their read-to-self, time, "Tina," who is generally a reluctant reader, but who recently watched "Hunger Games" and got the book, approaches Mr. P, holding the book:

Mr. P, this is the AWESOMMEST book EVER!

It's just SO AWESOME!

Mr. P. looked up at me over Tina's head, and we exchanged amused smiles.

Then, later, while assigning herself points for the period:

45 points for reading the awesommest book in the WORLD!

This second one happened during our "Friday meeting," a time at the end of the day on Friday for kids to share their plans for the weekend. Here is one exchange from that time:

Girl in the class: I'm having a friend sleep over at my house. Questions or comments?

Boy in the class: Are you going to do GIRL stuff?

Girl: DUH! Pajama fashion show!

Third, I finally found a way to incorporate THIS [see the photograph above] into a lesson about the Oregon Trail. 

What is it, you may ask?

It's a wagon wheel hub, brought in to class by one of my kids, "Bryan." It has occupied a corner in the classroom, behind Mr. P's desk, for the past month or so, until Thursday this past week, when I used it as a hook for the topic of accidents along the Oregon Trail. And Bryan finally got to get up in front of the class and share about his wagon wheel hub.

It ended up being a cool visual aid for the kids. Who would have thought? 

 So, in short, God has been using EVERYTHING and EVERYONE - observations, my supervisor, Mr. P., the kids, successes, failures, and even wagon wheel hubs - to teach me to teach. 

It's such a humbling process. I cry nearly every day. There are times I feel like running away and never coming back. 

And yet, there are enough of the other times -- when I feel in my element, when I see the great need before me and am filled with compassion, and when the "lightbulb" goes on in a kid's mind, which so many teachers say they live for -- that I don't entirely lose heart. In these times, I remember why God has me here, and I think, "There's no place I would rather be."