Not just another schoolyear...

Tomorrow starts my tenth year teaching. I know I can't believe I've been doing this for ten years already. And yes, it does make me feel like I'm getting older. As I begin another school year I always start praying for the 160+ students that I will teach. Praying that I can somehow be an example for their lives, and praying that God will help me know how to effectively teach and deal with each student. Becoming a mommy has also really changed my perspective of teaching. I guess you can say that teaching has helped me with motherhood in many ways, and motherhood has helped me grow as a teacher. Now as students enter my classroom I remember that they are somebody's baby and I want to treat them in the same way I would my precious Abby. It has really enlightened me, especially when dealing with more difficult students. I just pray that I am not continually brought down by all of the CMS beauracracy that looms over us and all the additional, what seems to be like busy work, they seem to pile on us every year. Again, having a baby has also brought a lot of this into perspective. I used to bring a lot of work home, now if it is not finished at 3, oh well, it's staying at work and I'm going home to spend time with my little girl. I never want to take any more time away from here than I have to. At the same time I do try to do the best job I can while I'm there and really work to get things finished up. Pray that God will allow me to be an effective teacher, a living example to students (many that are not saved), and to instill in students a passion for learning.