Yesterday I finished writing my 18 letters, one for each student. I began almost 2 months ago and could only get through a few at a time before I'd choke up at the idea of goodbye (an idea that is very close right now) but as soon as I finished, I set to the task that Rachel suggested and stuck with me. I began looking for a verse of scripture for each student.
1 Timothy 4:22-- Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
Hebrews 10:35-36-- Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
Proverbs 16:16-- How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight than silver.
1 Peter 3:10-- Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceit.
Ephesians 4:32-- Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Proverbs 11:6-- A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
2 Timothy 1:7--For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
John 16:33-- I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Proverbs 4:7-- Wisdom is the prime thing. Acquire wisdom; and with all that you acquire, acquire understanding.
Isaiah 41:10-- Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look around you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Joshua 1:9-- I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged I am the Lord your God and I will be there to help you wherever you go.
Ephesians 4:2--Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other.
Proverbs 18:24-- Some friends don't help but a true friend is closer than your own family.
1 Peter 4:8--Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Romans 8:28--And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
3 John 1:5-- Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you.
James 1:12--Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Proverbs 16:7-- When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
I have placed each letter, with the handwritten verse, in their envelopes along with their superlative awards, advice for keeping up English over the summer, and, for one student, a perfect attendance award.
The superlatives are:
Most Confident
Most Likely to be a TV Writer
Most Likely to be an Event Announcer
Most Likely to be a Soccer Player
Most Likely to be a Teacher
Best One-Liner Jokes
Most Likely to Make You Believe Anything with a Smile
Most Compassionate
Best Animal Sounds
Most Likely to be a Spy
Most Likely to be a Detective
Best Mathematician
Most Likely to be on a Toothpaste Commercial
Most Likely to write a Book
Most Likely to be a Singer
Best Scientist
Most Likely to be a Community Leader
Most Likely to be an Artist
Thursday we'll be doing a feel good activity where each student must think of one good thing about every other student in the room. They will write them on a sheet. I will collect them, review them, and add those to the packets too.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Why we do it
In these end-times, my kids and I have all been getting a little sentimental. One of my students, whom I tutor for all of my free time, it seems, has always kept up a tough front. We have a love-hate relationship. Recently, he gave me a "I'm going to miss you note" and it struck a cord with me.
Then, a student I rather frequently refer to as "my favorite human being on the planet" (sorry to all of you who thought you had a chance at winning that position. It has been filled), recently wrote me a letter too.
The outside alone is adorable, but the inside says, "Thank you for your help in English. You help us so much. We do jokes but we are growing up for do good. No one can live forever. I will never forget you because you are my friend for a life. With love, Rubdy"
I love my kids. Isaac gave me an elephant puzzle and he wrote me a letter on the backside of the pieces. There "my beloved teacher" is immortalized.
This is half of why it's so hard for me to leave. I feel like a mother to 18 children that already have mothers.
Then, a student I rather frequently refer to as "my favorite human being on the planet" (sorry to all of you who thought you had a chance at winning that position. It has been filled), recently wrote me a letter too.
The outside alone is adorable, but the inside says, "Thank you for your help in English. You help us so much. We do jokes but we are growing up for do good. No one can live forever. I will never forget you because you are my friend for a life. With love, Rubdy"
I love my kids. Isaac gave me an elephant puzzle and he wrote me a letter on the backside of the pieces. There "my beloved teacher" is immortalized.
This is half of why it's so hard for me to leave. I feel like a mother to 18 children that already have mothers.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Changes
So, I spent the first part of this week very ill. It started on Friday with a little stomach ache, led to a weekend of staying in the house (which was needed and actually productive) and ended with just stomach pain and horrible headaches that have just today completely subsided. On the weekend I would alternate between the bathroom, being curled up in a ball, cleaning, and laundry (the latter two usually resulted in another hour of being in ball, but hey, I got a lot done and it was mentally, though not physically, refreshing). Monday I was at school, and the stomach was hurting, but with no other real symptoms. Monday night it hurt to move my eyes. It hurt so much I couldn't remember to do simple tasks like take medicine (I got up 6 times to take ibuprofen, and finally when bringing back jello to eat, I saw the pills and remembered that I really wanted to take them.) For the rest of the week the eye headache hung around, but it was not nearly as bad nor debilitating.
On Wednesday my tutoring was canceled,my Spanish classes have been canceled for 3 weeks, and Rachel and I rescheduled. I took advantage of my new found free time to get my first pedicure ever. Getting a design is standard procedure here, not extra. It was nice.
On Thursday I went back to the same salon and chopped off me here. Look! Before and After pictures!
Speaking of changes, look at Dulci! 5-day-old Dulci to the right and 6 month old Dulci to the left.
On Wednesday my tutoring was canceled,my Spanish classes have been canceled for 3 weeks, and Rachel and I rescheduled. I took advantage of my new found free time to get my first pedicure ever. Getting a design is standard procedure here, not extra. It was nice.
On Thursday I went back to the same salon and chopped off me here. Look! Before and After pictures!
Speaking of changes, look at Dulci! 5-day-old Dulci to the right and 6 month old Dulci to the left.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
If it wasn't obvious from the fact that I decided to stay with my same students for a second year, they have a special place in my heart. From Francis, the first student I lost (to a life in the United States with his brother, father, and new step mother December 2009), to Juan and Maria Jose who did not return to my class this school year, to Destiny and Sofia who were knew to my class this school year, and the other 16 (17 if you count the one I only get for science this year, but who was in my class full-time last year), I love my kids.
I have students who work hard and do well. Students who work hard and do not do well. Students who do not work hard and do well. I even have students who do not work hard and do not do well. I have students who can't stop talking, students that intentionally push my buttons, and students who would do anything to please me.
Even the ones who do everything they can to get under my skin, I know that they are just a product of their environment. It's amazing to me, actually, how clearly most children come out of their circumstances as they are. Supportive parents= well rounded child, non-supportive parents= child in desperate need of attention. Of course, it's not always so cut and dry, but it is the standard way.
I have one student in particular, who has the ability to pull on my heart strings. She is very intelligent, but talks all through class and doesn't study or do her homework. She's sweet as can be and would rather just chat. Her humor and honesty have worked their way into me.
This past week, she's been talking to me a lot about how she doesn't want me to go, but how she understands. I told her that I would try to come back to visit in the next couple of years, and she asked me if I could come back in a few years to teach them again. She gets to me.
I have another student who's been leaving me notes on my desk asking me not to leave. The parents of my students and my Spanish teacher like to remind me that I don't have to go.
This coming weekend is Emily and Tiffany's birthday, two weeks later is my birthday, then is the weekend after school ends, and then I leave. It will be a beautiful time, but I often find myself looking at it and wishing I could stretch it out. I like my life here.
I'm writing each one of my students a personal letter about what a pleasure it has been to teach them and their strengths. What I hope for them. I can only do so many at a time because they make me sad too.
I suppose it's like coming to the end of a beautiful relationship. A very difficult break up. We both understand each other, but after all of our time together it won't work. It's still heart breaking.
I have students who work hard and do well. Students who work hard and do not do well. Students who do not work hard and do well. I even have students who do not work hard and do not do well. I have students who can't stop talking, students that intentionally push my buttons, and students who would do anything to please me.
Even the ones who do everything they can to get under my skin, I know that they are just a product of their environment. It's amazing to me, actually, how clearly most children come out of their circumstances as they are. Supportive parents= well rounded child, non-supportive parents= child in desperate need of attention. Of course, it's not always so cut and dry, but it is the standard way.
I have one student in particular, who has the ability to pull on my heart strings. She is very intelligent, but talks all through class and doesn't study or do her homework. She's sweet as can be and would rather just chat. Her humor and honesty have worked their way into me.
This past week, she's been talking to me a lot about how she doesn't want me to go, but how she understands. I told her that I would try to come back to visit in the next couple of years, and she asked me if I could come back in a few years to teach them again. She gets to me.
I have another student who's been leaving me notes on my desk asking me not to leave. The parents of my students and my Spanish teacher like to remind me that I don't have to go.
This coming weekend is Emily and Tiffany's birthday, two weeks later is my birthday, then is the weekend after school ends, and then I leave. It will be a beautiful time, but I often find myself looking at it and wishing I could stretch it out. I like my life here.
I'm writing each one of my students a personal letter about what a pleasure it has been to teach them and their strengths. What I hope for them. I can only do so many at a time because they make me sad too.
I suppose it's like coming to the end of a beautiful relationship. A very difficult break up. We both understand each other, but after all of our time together it won't work. It's still heart breaking.
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