Those lovely sophomores are at it again, chipping away at the ice around my heart and melting me into a pool of gushing affection for them. Today was student led prayer. Do you know what they requested? I'm not quite certain it is really a prayer, but they tried really hard to make it into one and I gave into their supplication. Their prayer was being thankful for all of the memories made in this class and then they tried to list their favorites.
If they would have been more serious and not the fun-loving, chatty sophomores that they are, I might have been reduced to tears. As it was, there was just enough sincerity mingled with humor to keep a smirk on my face and feel my heart ache while not letting my tears flow. The memories they came up with focused on none of the lessons I taught or really on me in general. Yet the student appointed leader finished the "prayer" off with thanking his classmates for being in his class and being thankful for me. My heart nearly burst.
I followed this sentimentality up with, "That was nice---but you still have to take your quiz today!" I love them and I never want them to leave. A while ago some of the students joked about failing this class so they would have to take it again next year. Now I'm thinking, would it be alright if I found a way to fail all of them?
Showing posts with label sophomores. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sophomores. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
My Cute Sophomores
My little sophomores are so cute. Don't tell them I said that, though. To them, at 15-16 years old, cute isn't a compliment. But I mean it as a sincere compliment.
A few examples to illustrate my point. Today we had a test in Scripture. They came in and wanted to write "Knowledge Celebration" on the board with balloons. They proceeded to gather around the board and do that--one person delegated to write "knowledge" and the other "celebration." Someone else wrote off to the side "Celebratory woop!!"
After prayer, a couple students begged to tell a story of their adventure last class period. I gave them three minutes. One of them rapidly told the story, including much animation, humor, and excitement. The other outlined the story on the board with rudimentary symbols and signs. In the end, the class politely applauded the adventure that had occurred.
Yesterday I wore glasses to school for the first time. This sophomore class was the only one to mention anything about them, although I am sure most of the other students noticed.
Student 1: "Have you ever worn glasses to this class before?"
Me: "No."
Student 2: "You look like a whole new woman!"
Student 3: "You look very scholarly."
(Murmurs of assent.)
The other day one of my students gave me a back-handed compliment. He meant it in the best way but it isn't exactly in the way a teacher desires to hear it. (But as compliments are hard to come by in this profession, you take what you can get.)
"It feels like we never do anything in this class and yet I feel like I am learning a lot."
"Thanks,"
"No, I mean--I enjoy this class so much it never feels like work."
That's better.
They are at an interesting point in their lives. They are in the midst of high school life. Growing up, they are determining who they will be for the rest of their lives. Yet there is an innocence that is found within them. Particularly this class. They have troubles and stresses but they are genuinely good kids. And I love them all the more for it. They are definitely not perfect, but they are sophomores and they give me hope in a seemingly hopeless world.
I wonder what the Lord has planned with their beautiful, fragile, so-much-potential lives. And I am thankful to be a part of it, if only for a while.
A few examples to illustrate my point. Today we had a test in Scripture. They came in and wanted to write "Knowledge Celebration" on the board with balloons. They proceeded to gather around the board and do that--one person delegated to write "knowledge" and the other "celebration." Someone else wrote off to the side "Celebratory woop!!"
After prayer, a couple students begged to tell a story of their adventure last class period. I gave them three minutes. One of them rapidly told the story, including much animation, humor, and excitement. The other outlined the story on the board with rudimentary symbols and signs. In the end, the class politely applauded the adventure that had occurred.
Yesterday I wore glasses to school for the first time. This sophomore class was the only one to mention anything about them, although I am sure most of the other students noticed.
Student 1: "Have you ever worn glasses to this class before?"
Me: "No."
Student 2: "You look like a whole new woman!"
Student 3: "You look very scholarly."
(Murmurs of assent.)
The other day one of my students gave me a back-handed compliment. He meant it in the best way but it isn't exactly in the way a teacher desires to hear it. (But as compliments are hard to come by in this profession, you take what you can get.)
"It feels like we never do anything in this class and yet I feel like I am learning a lot."
"Thanks,"
"No, I mean--I enjoy this class so much it never feels like work."
That's better.
They are at an interesting point in their lives. They are in the midst of high school life. Growing up, they are determining who they will be for the rest of their lives. Yet there is an innocence that is found within them. Particularly this class. They have troubles and stresses but they are genuinely good kids. And I love them all the more for it. They are definitely not perfect, but they are sophomores and they give me hope in a seemingly hopeless world.
I wonder what the Lord has planned with their beautiful, fragile, so-much-potential lives. And I am thankful to be a part of it, if only for a while.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Teach through me, O Holy Spirit...
August 21, 2013
My second year of teaching has begun and I am peddling my way through the first week. It is a long and arduous task to jump back into teaching. However, my dad is quick to remind me (and therefore not sympathize with me) that I had the entire summer to do nothing. After last year, I believe teachers deserve that. Yes, of course I would say that.
I just wanted to quickly share a little blessing from today. This year I'm starting each class with some personal prayer time for my students. The idea is for it to be a transition time from other classes and help them focus on how this is different than the rest of their day. Today my sophomores prayed with St. Augustine's prayer to the Holy Spirit.
My second Scripture class spent some time praying with it and they seemed to be pretty still. I asked how many of them liked the quiet, expecting them to respond negatively. The majority of the class raised their hand and said they liked the quiet. Taking another brief poll, I asked if many had a line that jumped out at them or if they just picked what they liked best. Again a majority said one line seemed to jump out at them. I asked for a couple to share what line they had prayed with and the first person shared that they chose the first line but that they didn't get it really. That was the line I had prayed with and so I was eager to share what I had thought about. I asked them to close their eyes if they wanted and to concentrate on their breathing. I let a couple seconds pass and because my eyes were closed I didn't know if anyone was complying or if they were staring at the crazy lady in the front of the classroom. Then I told them to think about each breath in as though they were breathing in the Holy Spirit. And to consider that the Holy Spirit was sanctifying their thoughts and everything within them. Just a few more seconds passed before we continued with class but for me it was a beautiful moment.
Despite what I am often led to think, the youth have depth and desires that can be surprising. It was a reminder that the Holy Spirit can lead and guide far better than I can. Thank You, Lord, for little blessing, for giving me hope, and for reminding me that if I simply bring them to You, that You will take care of the rest.
Come, Holy Spirit.....
My second year of teaching has begun and I am peddling my way through the first week. It is a long and arduous task to jump back into teaching. However, my dad is quick to remind me (and therefore not sympathize with me) that I had the entire summer to do nothing. After last year, I believe teachers deserve that. Yes, of course I would say that.
I just wanted to quickly share a little blessing from today. This year I'm starting each class with some personal prayer time for my students. The idea is for it to be a transition time from other classes and help them focus on how this is different than the rest of their day. Today my sophomores prayed with St. Augustine's prayer to the Holy Spirit.
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.I asked them to spend some time reading through it and then to find a line that jumped out to them or that they liked and sit with it for a while. I encouraged them to close their eyes and pray with the line, meditating on what they are asking the Holy Spirit to do in that line. My first class did it well enough but my second class really took it home. As I write this I consider that being a high school teacher has taught me to count the little victories.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.
My second Scripture class spent some time praying with it and they seemed to be pretty still. I asked how many of them liked the quiet, expecting them to respond negatively. The majority of the class raised their hand and said they liked the quiet. Taking another brief poll, I asked if many had a line that jumped out at them or if they just picked what they liked best. Again a majority said one line seemed to jump out at them. I asked for a couple to share what line they had prayed with and the first person shared that they chose the first line but that they didn't get it really. That was the line I had prayed with and so I was eager to share what I had thought about. I asked them to close their eyes if they wanted and to concentrate on their breathing. I let a couple seconds pass and because my eyes were closed I didn't know if anyone was complying or if they were staring at the crazy lady in the front of the classroom. Then I told them to think about each breath in as though they were breathing in the Holy Spirit. And to consider that the Holy Spirit was sanctifying their thoughts and everything within them. Just a few more seconds passed before we continued with class but for me it was a beautiful moment.
Despite what I am often led to think, the youth have depth and desires that can be surprising. It was a reminder that the Holy Spirit can lead and guide far better than I can. Thank You, Lord, for little blessing, for giving me hope, and for reminding me that if I simply bring them to You, that You will take care of the rest.
Come, Holy Spirit.....
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