Labor Day weekend is almost here, and I can’t even begin to explain my elation.
I am worn slap out!
As a junior high special education teacher, I have to be “on” all day long. Junior high kids can sniff out the slightest chink in a teacher’s armor faster than my mom can say “clearance sale.”
Classroom and student management skills is a must. Unfortunately, my skills are more like a maybe.
I have many strengths as a teacher, but making kids mind is not one of them.
You see, I get so focused on helping Bobbie Sue understand what she’s reading that I pretty much tune out Frankie May, Jimmy Ray, and Sally Ann who are duct taping Billy Bob to his chair.
That’s why I went into special education to begin with. I like working with students one-on-one or in small groups to I can find out how they learn best and to give them the best opportunity to learn.
Imagine me in a room with 22 special ed kids, more than half of them with ADHD. It’s not pretty friends. Not pretty at all.
Sometime in September, the head honcho lady from the district is coming to observe me teach this very class. It’s a Read 180 class where I’m using a state-of-the-art computer-based program that cost the district a ton of cash, so they have to make sure I’m utilizing their precious resources to the fullest.
Can you hear my knees knocking right now?
I’ve been trying to train my little sweat hogs since day one of the school year.
Enter the room quietly.
Get an R-book, your reading journal, and a pencil.
Sit down and shut your pie hole. (Just kidding on the pie hole part)
After that class is over, about half of them do with me to my next class where they continue “forgetting” what they’re supposed to be doing.
The classroom isn’t the only place where my management weaknesses glare at me.
See if any of these “departments” cause you some trouble.
- Managing clutter
- Managing my home
- Managing my weight
- Managing my emotions
Most days, I feel as if I’m just managing to keep my head above water.
I’m tired of treading water.
I want to walk on it!
I want to lay my head on the pillow at night feeling tired but pleased over how the day went.
I want to wake up in the morning with expectancy not sighs.
So, what can I do to change things?
How can I develop routines and procedures that work for me?
1. Pray for wisdom:
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:8-9 MSG)
3. Pray some more.
Lord, you made me a lover not a manager, but i know the best way to show love to my family, my students, and myself is to manage my time and resources well. I need help, Lord. Please give me wisdom in how to make small steps toward big improvements. And Lord…please help my students be extra nice when the lady comes to observe. That would be a really wonderful grace gift! Ever wanting to please You and honor You in all I do, AMEN
