What I Want the Parents of My Students to Know . Summer to- dos. Almost 2. Important things. Things like: Sort through financial records. Write my AP syllabus and book proposal. Take down Christmas lights (wish I was kidding about that one.) Clean, reallyclean, my house. This year my list has six red lines. Only six crossed- off tasks. Six out of 2. 0. I go back to work in two days. When all I want is to sit in the middle of my living room and cry. I mean really sob over my list that won’t get done. But I can’t. I have to take my daughter school shopping. Then the school year begins. And I won’t sit again until June 2. So before the madness of the coming weeks ensues, there are some things I want you to know about your child’s teacher. Things which may spur you to pray for me over the coming year, or which may cause you to shake your head—I’m glad it’s her and not me. Things which sometimes need to be said. I’m already tired. I’ve worked all summer. I’ve sat through workshops and certification classes and read journal articles on the newest teaching strategies and creative ideas. If I’m not physically working toward the next year, I’m thinking about it. All the time. I will begin the school year exhausted, leaving behind an incomplete summer task list. Right now—I’m broke. My pockets are empty. Every spare penny has been used to purchase bulletin board materials, novels, and extra bookcases. Anything that will bring warmth and brightness to my classroom. The state or school doesn’t fund these expenses. My purse foots the bill. The bell never ends my day. School hours don’t provide enough time to finish the job I’ve been given. Like a briefcase full of papers, I carry the cries of hurting students home. When I walk in my door? I still must help my own children with homework, fix dinner, carpool to dance, finish laundry, and straighten the house. I spend more time with your sons and daughters during the week than my own. And while I love to teach, my heart breaks a little each time I hug my baby and say, “See ya later, alligator!”I’ve trained hard for this role—going to college and then graduate school in preparation to teach your child. You may have said, “How hard can it be? It’s as simple as that.” I want you to know it’s so much more than ABC’s and 1. Because teaching is hard. For just one lesson I can spend hours thinking through Piaget’s cognitive theory, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, anticipatory activities, appropriate pedagogies, exit strategies, scaffolding techniques, and hierarchically- ordered questioning. Each of these theories is necessary for one effective lesson. Not so easy. I will make mistakes. Numbers get crossed. Eyes do too. After hours of grading, sentences can begin to run together. Something right will be marked wrong. But something wrong may also be marked right. Approach me with kindness, and I will right my wrongs. Because, I promise, even if I have a typo, I know proper grammar and mechanics. I am in desperate need of grace. If I don’t immediately respond to an email or a phone call, it may be because I want to have all the information I need to give you all the information you need. Give me time. I’m human. I need a chance. Please, please. Approach me with a problem before you approach my boss. Wouldn’t you want someone to do the same for you? It may be a simple miscommunication. A miscommunication that could wrongly put my job in jeopardy. Did I say please? What was once an exclusive estate is now your personal escape in Pennsylvania’s Poconos Lake Region. The Mansion at Noble Lane is just a two-hour drive from New. Gastric bypass surgery refers to a surgical procedure in which the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower "remnant" pouch and then the. Find the latest weight loss 2017 tips on how to lose weight, plus updates on surgery, workouts and diet pills shown in celebrity before and after photos. Bethany Bible Church, 18245 NW Germantown Road, Portland, OR 97231 / 503.645.1436. Sarah Millican reveals the secret behind her incredible weight loss as she shows off slimmed-down figure Funny woman looks healthier than ever. Doesn't that look like dessert with a straw? My daughter, Brittany, came up with this recipe in her search for a healthier, low-carb version of a Starbucks. It has often been recommended in popular weight-loss programs that overweight and obese individuals hoping to shed unwanted pounds should drink more water. I hate standardized tests. Not in the we- should- never- measure- student- growth way. But in the there’s- so- much- more- to- life- than- choose- A- B- C- or- D way. The learning box we are stuffing children into tears at my heart a bit each day. And my hands are tied. It’s not always my fault. Even if I sang every lesson while doing cartwheels dressed like my favorite book character, some students still won’t pay attention. And Still She Laughs: Defiant Joy in the Depths of Suffering and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more. I can bribe. But some of my students are already too hardened by life—they just don’t care. Yet, society tells me I’m responsible for every student who fails. This is an anvil around my neck. I want you to know every year is a make- or- break year for me. It could always be my last. Because this is not just a job. It’s a calling. And there are some days I wonder if I’m still called. Because some days rip me to shreds, leaving wounds that gape and scars that haunt. I feel responsiblefor the next generation in mind- blowing ways. This is a heavy burden. I sense its weight each time I step into my classroom. I understand—really understand—how great the task is that lies before me. The question Am I making a difference? I know this in the way I know my students are worth every ounce of effort in my body. And when I see the light behind a teenager’s eyes? Every fiber, every muscle, every tendon tightens and then soars. The light of knowledge is mine to bestow. The role is serious. Success is always just a breath away. Sometimes I’m holding mine. When my students get it? I can smile. I can breathe. Because really, I’m teaching them about life. A new lesson teaching rhetoric, similes, or Thoreau is really a lesson about life. How we’re connected. How we’re living. How we’re breathing. And you must know, you absolutely must know—I pray for my students. Their hurts break my heart. Magic wands and pixie dust don’t work in this real world. I know there is only One who has the power to heal souls. So my knees are raw from the bending and stooping over the desk of your precious one. I love your sons and daughters. And while a need for education may be the reason they walk through my door, my deepest desire is that my students know they are loved. This is my goal. My objective. My mission. Because they will know my sweet Jesus by my love. And even though His name can’t even be a whisper on my lips within school walls, I will love your children. I will love them because He first loved me. I will be His light in their darkness. And because I love your sons and daughters, they will learn. They will learn all that matters in this life. They will learn because they are loved. By this all people will know that you are My disciples,if you have love for one another. John 1. 3: 3. 5 (HCSB). Author’s Note: The reaction to this blog over the last year has been overwhelming—both positive and negative. I’ve been incredibly grateful for what I have learned and for so much of the support I have received. I understand, for some, my heart’s cry has been misunderstood. I want to take a moment to express that in no way do I want to infer teachers are the only people with difficult jobs. In fact, all jobs are difficult in their own way and many jobs are much harder than that of a teacher. We all have aspects of our careers that are exhausting. This letter was is not a list of complaints, rather simple realities in the life of an educator. But, and please hear my heart, the struggles are worth the result. And the result? Reaching the life of a child? I would do it all over again. Every single time. If you enjoyed this blog, you may also like reading: The Reasons We Teach, Lessons for the First Year Teacher, Lessons Worth Writing Down, and A Letter to My Students. The Mansion at Noble Lane. How far in advance do I need to make my reservation? Rooms are reserved on a first- come, first- served basis. Generally speaking, weekends book- up earliest (we can almost always accommodate a weekday stay). How do I make a reservation? You can check availability and book a reservation on our website, or call us toll- free at 8. We will take your pertinent information and send a confirmation by email or postage mail. Your reservation is secured with a 5. You can make this payment with any major credit card, or you can mail a check or money order if we receive it within two weeks of your arrival date. What if I need to cancel my reservation? We understand unforeseen circumstances may make it necessary to cancel or postpone your stay. If you notify us of such a need at least two weeks prior to your reserved stay, we will be happy to refund your deposit, minus a $2. If you need to cancel after the 1. If we are successful, we will gladly refund your deposit, minus the $2. If we are unsuccessful and the room goes un- booked, you will forfeit your deposit. What about reservations for spa treatments? We recommend spa appointments be made well in advance of your stay, especially since our spa is also open to day visitors. To make an appointment, call 8. What meals will be served? A complimentary breakfast is served each morning between 8: 0. Our chef will personally prepare a scrumptious hot breakfast, and if you have any dietary restrictions (salt- free, sugar- free, vegetarian, etc.), just let us know when you reserve your stay, and we’ll be happy to accommodate you. All- day healthy snacks are also available Complimentary. Our tea room, Leaves, is open to you and the public Saturday and Sunday, 1. It is the perfect place to purchase lunch or savor an afternoon delight. What classes or activities are available at the resort? You can do as much as you want or as little during your stay. There are complimentary fitness classes and recreational activities, such as tennis, swimming, lawn games and marshmallow roasting at no charge. In addition, there are special activities on and off premises for nominal fees. What do I need to bring with me? Toiletries, robe etc. You should bring your own personal necessities, but we do supply customized Akwaaba glycerin soap, shampoo/conditioner, bubble bath and shower caps. And you’ll fall in love with our luxurious robes! Irons and hair dryers are also available. I’ll be celebrating a special occasion when I come to visit. Are there any added touches you can provide? We have a number of great packages, ranging from spa treatments to champagne, strawberries and fresh whip cream. Click on special packages to learn more. What season is best to visit The Mansion at Noble Lane? There’s always plenty to do inside and at the resort year- round, and The Lake Region of Northeast Pennsylvania is a four- season destination for outdoor activities, including snowshoeing and snow sports in the winter, hiking and biking in the spring, fully appreciating nature in the fall, and taking the upmost advantage of the area’s lakes in the summer. Are groups allowed to buy- out the resort for weddings, retreats and private functions? Absolutely! We’re the perfect venue for special events, conferences and private affairs. Should I leave a tip for my waiter and chambermaid? If you have received outstanding service, it is customary to leave a tip. Remember, your innkeeper and housekeeper are preparing and serving you breakfast, tending to your room and providing concierge services in addition to many other nice- ities. This is a hospitality service industry, just like restaurants and spas, and the staff really does depend on tips to supplement their income.
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