I Understand...I Think

Ever feel like you just want to know...just want to understand?  Maybe it's a "teacher-thing" or maybe it's just an everybody thing...but I seek, want, hope for understanding...in everything.  At school I want my students to understand what I'm trying to teach them, I want to understand why they do or say things, I want to understand their needs, I want to understand what in the world is going through their head, I want to understand information, knowledge, and so on.  

In life though, it's the same.  I want to understand.  I want to understand situations, friends, relationships, the highs, the lows...all of it.  I guess I tell myself I want to know so that I can prepare myself, or "get ready" for the next step, or gain control of a situation, but I'm learning that it doesn't get me anywhere to invest so much time and energy in trying to understand when many things I'm just not meant to understand.  Sure their is a motivation to be a life long learner in gaining "understanding" of whatever, but when the drive to understand begins to take a toll on emotion, spirit, personality, sleep, relationships and causes anxiousness, moodiness, etc....really, is it worth it to try and figure everything out?  Chances are if you let things play out, you will understand...just not in your expected timing.

I've fallen in love with a little devotional called Jesus Calling.  You may have heard of it, if not....CHECK IT OUT!  Its fantastic.  The author, Sarah Young, writes these letters as if Jesus Himself were talking to you.  So in the middle of my trying to find understanding...this is what I read

       "Understanding will never bring you peace.  That's why I have instructed you to trust in Me, not in your understanding.  Human beings have a voracious appetite for trying to figure things out, in order to gain a sense of mastery over their lives.  But the world presents you with an endless series of problems.  As soon as you master one set, another pops up to challenge you.  The relief you had anticipated is short-lived.  Soon your mind is gearing up again: searching for understanding (mastery), instead of seeking Me (your Master)."

Well yep, that's me!  But good news, there is hope!  She goes on to write...

       "My peace is not an elusive goal...you are ALWAYS enveloped in Peace, which is inherent in MY Presence.  As you look to me, you gain awareness of this precious Peace."

Proverbs 3:5-6

Romans 5:1

2 Thessalonians 3:16

I think I'll invest my time in resting in this Precious Peace...I can trust Him with the understanding :-)

Ms. Jena said...

I think the question that every parent asks their child, usually on a daily basis, is..."How was school today?"  Its a question that no one really likes to answer, at any age...yet everyone asks it.  I remember as a student I would hate when the question came up, school is school, what do you want me to tell you?!  (by the way, I still get it now, I should have known when I became a teacher...I'm still in school, therefore someone has to ask "how was school today?" thanks mom!)

So with the understanding that my students are probably getting asked this question at home...I get a little nervous as to what their answer is.  Yes I encourage my children to tell their parents about school, but I can't help to wonder, what does the 4-year old mind choose tell mom and dad about school?  Luckily, most of my parents fess up and tell me what their kids are saying.

Some tell about all the things they are learning, others make up stories about imaginary events, some tattle on their friends, and some try to retell things I've told them. I wish I could remember all the things that my kids have quoted, rather misquoted me on in the last couple years, but kids some how eat away at your brain and the memory cells go first...

Here's a few thoughts I've overheard the kids saying, or they have shared with their parents:

Ms. Jena said...

"You need to rest during play time because if you don't you'll be too tired to play during rest time!"  this seems more accurate to reality sometimes

"I can do whatever I want!" not exactly bud...you can BE a fireman, or whatever you want to be but you can't just DO whatever you want...come on, get it right!

"Tie your shoes so you'll have meat..." or  wipe your face so you'll be neat...(its in a song)

"You need to push your chair under so your friend will fall out of the chair"  ...ummm, not sure about the thought process here...they could fall OVER the chair I guess...

"You can't walk in the class, thats not safe" ....its run, its not safe to RUN in the class...

"quick, throw all the toys away"  this may be how some kids clean up but how about we just PUT them away!

"we can play with plasto!!!! (with much enthusiasm)" hmmmm??? you mean...PLAY-DOH?  that one took some process of elimination


Oh the joys of working with youngsters...I know I tend to mix things up at times, however I usually catch myself and know I've mixed up my words....the best part about what my kids sometimes say, is that to them they are so sure of what they are saying, confident that they are doing exactly what Ms. Jena said....yet somehow I don't end up with kids that "rest up to play during rest time," that "push under their chairs to watch their friends fall out," that "do whatever they want" that "run safely" through the classroom, that "throw away" all their toys, and "tie their shoes to get meat."  Man, what would happen if they interpreted and proclaimed what I actually said....hmmmmmm

Well, like Alan Alda said..."When people are laughing, they're generally not killing each other!" So I guess if I can keep laughing at the things my kids say, then all will be well.

Go out and have a good laugh today...I'll keep you posted on all the "good stuff"

Jena

Thank You Jesus!

Thank you Jesus!...and I don't say that in a loose, vain way...I mean just that, Thank You Jesus!  This week I've been "covered by grace" as I've officially finished my first full week with my students.

I work as a teacher in the newly named NC Pre-K program, a state funded program targeting at-risk and low income families.  The program tries to serve children that are either already identified with some sort of developmental delay or disability, or children that are flagged for possibly having a delay.  It also serves children that have never been served in any kind of structured setting.  There is a big push this year to hold parents accountable as well, and require them to be working or in school for a number of hours each week which is a great addition in my opinion.

With program changes, backups, and hold ups, there has been a really slow start to assign children to schools, therefore, I only have 10 students right now.  Meaning, I'm in ratio by myself, and I'm in the class myself.  Now, initially this may not really seem significant to you...but it is.  With 10 students that have never been in any kind of structured setting, in a completely new classroom, with new rules (and whats a rule?) new expectations, new peers, new routines, new teachers, new new new new new....well it can be a bit overwhelming, for students and teachers!  Think about it...transitioning one new student is a challenge, 15 with two teachers...a challenge, 10 by yourself...BIG challenge.

BUT....like I said, THANK YOU JESUS!  What a great week!  Something that I thought would end in my frustration, upset kids, questioning parents, and sleepless nights, ended very, very well.  I actually must say I REALLY enjoyed it!  So, thank you Jesus for the peace of your presence in my classroom.  Thank you for patience as my students learn the classroom and expectations, thank you for the sweet moments as I build relationships with each student, thank you for trusting children that feel welcome and safe in the room, thank you for the parents that seem more involved than in years past, thank you for comfort (as my best friend and teacher next door has moved to Boston...Megan), thank you for energy and stamina throughout the day, thank you for eager learners, thank you for support from admins, thank you for nice weather (we love the outdoors), thank you for my 10 wonderful students you've placed in my care, and thank you for the time I have with them to get them transitioned as I wait, hopeful for 8 more...Thank You!

So, what about your week? What are you thankful for?