33 Blessings!

I've been meaning to write about this for a long time but I've been so busy and swamped with work that I haven't had a lot of free time. Now the long wait has come to an end...

We're going onto week 7 in the school year and each day I feel more blessed with my decision that I made to be a teacher. I'm not even going to begin to tell you that it's been easy for me but I wouldn't trade this opportunity for the world. 

There are days when I do question this decision. To give you a little taste of my "situation"...I have 33 adorable kiddos. They each come with something different to bring the the classroom. They have each gone through their own trials and are stronger than I probably have ever been. Some have lost parents, some have parents that are in jail, many of them never got new school supplies/clothes, some of them are in the care of their grandparents, all of them are excited for the 1st of the month (Food Stamp Day) and all of them have showed me how truly blessed I am. 

There are many times when I wonder if I'm making a difference or if I'm actually being a good teacher. I mean, I am asking a lot from them. I want them all to learn what they need to know and in a way leave whatever is going on at home outside of the classroom. Well let me tell you that is NOT possible. Some of my kids are worried that I'm just going to leave them (there is a HUGE turn-over rate in the bush) There were even tears when they found out that I was going to go by plane for Christmas break. I know that it may not seem like any of what I just said would play any factor on whether or not I'm being a good teacher. However, it has pretty much everything to do with it. It took me over 2 weeks for some of my kids to even talk to me or make eye contact with me. Many of them were very un-sure of me for a while.

I have big goals for my kiddos. I want each and every one of them to achieve this year. I want each of them to know that I'm not going to leave them. No, I don't think that I'll stay here forever but I'm not just going to up and leave them because things are "tough". 

Nothing makes me happier than walking to the post office or grocery store and having my babies run and give me a huge hug, then having them follow me the whole way there. I use to wonder if I made a difference in their lives, but when things like that happen, I know! 

I am also the 11th grade advisor. It's kinda nice being around the young kiddos and then getting to work with highschoolers. I'm getting to know them as the weeks go on. They are hilarious and really determined to get things done! I'm sure that I'll have stories about them as the time goes on.


I'm going to work on sharing my stories with you more often. I think I'm finally getting into the routine of things and should have more free time now. However, my co-worker and I are in charge of putting together the Halloween carnival (with my 11th graders and her 9th graders) so things could get busy again. I'll work on it though. 


Thank you for the support! To all my family and friends- I love you and miss you! Please keep my kiddos in your thoughts and prayers as there are rough things going on in some of their lives right now.