It's been a while!

Hey guys!  It's been a long time (read almost a year) since I've blogged.  I'm sorry!  I've been so busy lately that I just haven't really taken the time to sit down and blog.  Lucky for y'all we now have to turn in lesson plans, so I get all my planning done a whole week in advance.  Now all I have to do in the evenings is whatever I so desire to do.  Yay!  Any hoo, a new school year has started and that means I got all new kids.  I've only met about half of them but I can already tell that my kids are going to be pretty awesome.  I get awesome kids every year though:)

Today marked the 1st day of the 2014-2015 and I'm really excited about it!  I'm teaching a new class, I FINALLY got a Smartboard, and we have a new administrator.  A lot of new things are happening!  One thing that isn't new is my homeroom.  I have the seniors again.  Nobody ever understands my enthusiasm for teaching that group of kids and I don't expect them to.  Teaching that group of kids makes you learn a few things about yourself.

1. You learn whether or not teaching is your real passion or calling.
   This is my 9th year teaching and last year was the 1st year that I actually felt like a teacher.  Yeah, I've always loved my kids and tried my best to take care of them, but having to give a group of kids your all like I had to give last year made me realize that as a teacher I'm called to do more than just teach English.  I'm supposed to impact lives.  Those kids looked to me for guidance, peace, encouragement, and support.  They became my children.  If you aren't passionate about teaching or it's "just a job" then you have no idea what I'm talking about.  For you, impacting lives isn't important.
2. You learned how to not be selfish.
   There were several times where I had to sacrifice some things to make sure that my kids got the help that they needed.  I've had to sacrifice time with my 9th graders, time with my husband, vacation time, and sleep.  I would have rather been teaching my classes, spending time with my husband, spending more time out of town, and sleeping.  My kids needed me so I was there.
3. You learn how to act.
   Let me explain.  When working in such a high pressure situation, I couldn't let the kids know that I was nervous, afraid, or unsure.  They looked to me for assurance and stability and I had to lie.  I lied a lot.  A lot of days I didn't believe what I was saying, but I couldn't let on.  I should be nominated for an Oscar or something.  LOL
4. You learn how to REALLY trust God.  I mean really trust Him.
   I prayed a lot during the year.  A whole lot.  A heck of a whole lot.  Because of it all but 2 graduated from high school.  Of the 2, one is working on his.  The other dropped out before the final scores came back.  When I tell y'all that God is in the prayer answering business...  HE IS! 

Last year was an eye opening year for me not only with my seniors but also with my 9th graders and coworkers.  My brother was killed in May and I was surrounded by so much love and support during that time that it was overwhelming.  I'd run out of breath trying to thank everybody for all of the love, cards, gifts, calls, texts, visits, meals, and time that was given to me during that extremely difficult time in my life.  It amazing to see kids care as much as they did.  There are some who still check on me.  That just goes to show that when you truly love and care for your kids, they'll always love and care for you.  It's an awesome thing!

I know today's post wasn't my normal funny, but trust me.  I'll have your funny tomorrow.  It won't be a year before I blog again.  I promise. It's going to be a GREAT year!