One of the best things about teaching Elementary School as a substitute teacher is hanging out with second graders (my favorite grade–innocent, love their teachers, AND they can usually tie their shoes). The other thing about Second Grade is that every February pretty much every teacher talks about penguins. Were it not for this exposure to the subject, I would not be aware of the … Continue reading That Still, Small Voice
I silently knock on the Kindergarten door, helper for the day in my Assistant Teacher role. I love Kindergarten. I did my student teaching there—sang a LOT of songs and played games and sat on the floor and learned words. Today is one of those days—a learning day—except I am the student. I teach in a very diverse school district. The population we serve has changed significantly … Continue reading When we are Named and Known
I had the surprise privilege of teaching a short (four week) Summer School gig for a friend recently–and I do mean privilege. He asked if I could take over his Reading classes at a private Korean Academy. After thanking God for the answer to prayer for meeting a financial need, I then got VERY happy about the subject matter–what’s not to love about getting paid … Continue reading The Power of a Simple Question
I’m awake behind closed eyes noting the whooshing sounds of far away freeway noise (at 2 in the morning? seriously?) and a howling, train-whistly cry rises in the distance through my open night window. The coyotes are stirring, too. The Psalmist David writes of being awake through the watches of the night and I wonder if he lay there with thoughts of four year olds … Continue reading On the Night Before the First Day of School