What tomorrow holds...

The more I think about it, the more I realize how true it is. It seems so simple. We have no idea what tomorrow holds. This has been my motto for the whole summer. Some days it was a comfort, some days it was a concern. But every day it was true.

This has not been the summer I had expected. I had lots of sleepless nights, and if you know me, you know I can sleep. I have never had trouble sleeping, until this summer. I was so full of anxiety, stress and not-knowing. I was looking for a job, and hearing nothing. I was sad, unmotivated and bored. I didn't feel like myself. I was tired of talking about my job search and tired of saying "I don't have a job."

Well, my friends, I got a call yesterday morning, offering me a job-an interim in 1st grade. I am absolutely thrilled! I will get to work with the teachers I worked with last year during my internship and will be at a school I know and am already comfortable with. I was filled with joy yesterday, and felt like me again. I am just so excited to be able to use my degree and teach!

Now I am filled with anxiety, and it was hard to sleep last night, but it's a good thing now. I cannot wait to start setting up my classroom and to meet my students!

Being on the other side of tomorrow gives me a whole new perspective. I am so thankful that God is constant, especially when I am not.

I'm sure there will be more stories to follow-kids are funny that way, and I love to share!

Teaching

Tuesday started another week (well, 6 days) of class for me. I only have one graduate class after this! I have learned a lot the past 4 days, more than I thought I would, if I can be honest here. What an enormous responsibility teaching is. I have known this, but the past couple days have really put that into perspective for me. Next Wednesday I will be returning to my base placement (3rd grade, in a public school). This is where the first 3 month of my internship were spent. Those kids have been heavy on my heart this week, especially the "tough" ones. I think about the things I have tried that have worked, and not worked, and how I can change myself to meet their needs. I think I have almost cried everyday. I am so blessed to be in this profession, and I don't think I will ever know to what extent.

Kids are my passion. I love to see them light up when they finally understand. I love to hear their answers to questions that I had never thought of before. I love their questions. It is so fun for me to watch them interact and work things through.

We read the book Molder of Dreams by Guy Doud-if you haven't read this, pick up a copy-it's an easy/quick read. He talks a lot about the people in our lives that mold who we are, and as the 1986 National Teacher of the Year, how he has been able to influence the lives of others. AMAZING! He states in the epilogue "You just never know who's life you will touch." (I think that is quoted correctly) His book also helps you to think about the every day people you come into contact with. I have not had a book make me think so much in a while.

As I ponder the things I have learned over the past few days, I am overwhelmed at the great responsibility I have to my students. I am also full of excitement as I continue my journey as a teacher.