Teaching and Christianity

I define myself first and foremost as a Christian.  This has been the biggest part of my life for nearly twenty years now.  For a large portion of that life, “being a Christian” was not very hard for me in that I went to Christian school from third grade until I graduated from college.  This said, my first day at work in a public school was my first day of life as a Christian surrounded by non-Christians.  I say this not because it was an awful turn of events in my life…just different.  Last year, my first year teaching, I was still going to school 3 days a week and inundated with many Christians all the time.  I didn’t notice a big change last year.  Christianity was still easy and I often prayed for my students.  Though my husband and I go to church and a small group every week, the exposure to Christianity is much less at this point in my life.  All of this said, I am definitely reflecting on a new kind of struggle…walking faithfully with Christ and dealing with sometimes rude, obnoxious, and inconsiderate children.  In one class in particular this year, I found myself mentally saying all of the words that would get me fired rather than praying for my students and myself.  As I reflect back on this year, I’m definately looking for new ways to incorporate my faith into my work.  I do not wish to revisit this year, except in quiet reflection of where I do not wish to return again.  So, I guess my question is, how do other Christians who work at the secondary level intentionally avoid the anger and angst against children who sometimes obviously don’t care at all about what you do for them…

Cathartic Blogging

After spending a few hours last night and this morning viewing the blogs of any teacher I can find and several of the others listed on particular blogs, I’m finding that my need for venting to someone else in the profession who does not know me is not my unique and individual thought.  I am happy about this discovery.  It’s nice to know that there are other teachers out there who need this time to vent and share ideas as well as gain release from the wonderful career we’ve chosen.  I’m excited to build my blog world and begin to, hopefully, grow to be a better teacher and person because I’ve stopped bottling things up inside.

Beginnings and Endings…

It’s the end of my second year teaching. During an afternoon training this week, I reflected on the fact that this year has been much more difficult for me than last. I realize this is due to several factors including but not limited to rougher kids, being married, pure laziness, and a necessary paradigm shift in my priorities. In addition to these, I think that one significant difference is that I ceased to journal or reflect on much of anything that has happened this year. Instead, I come home and rant and rave to my family and friends. So, in search of new beginnings through the excitement that comes at the end of one school year and the beginning of the next, I have decided to attempt to blog in an effort to sift through the millions of thoughts that run through my mind at the end of each period, day, week and grading period in order to become both a better teacher and a healthier person. If things written herein offend, interest, or perplex you, please, feel free to dialog with me about the crazy life of a teacher.