My Voice, My Heart, My Life

Every Thursday we have chapel at our school. It's a time of church with our students. The elementary and middle have their respective chapels. Today was a very special middle school chapel. One 7th grader and seven 8th graders made the decision to proclaim their faith publicly through Baptism. Baptisms are very emotional for me. They are such a personal decision. They are saying to the world, I Love Jesus. It's a big deal. My baptism is etched in my mind. It was a wonderful experience! It's a treasured Jesus and me moment. Four of the students being baptized where my kindergarteners once a upon a time. I have been able to see them grow and witness their faith. Seeing them take this step melts my heart. As I write my eyes are watering. The Holy Spirit has touched their hearts and they are being obedient. I feel so blessed to have been witness to this important moment in their Christian journey. Praise God! " Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into...

This year I was blessed with 17 little ones that have brought joy, frustration, laughter, stress and constant surprises into my life. Each one has left an imprint in my heart. With only two months left of instruction bittersweet emotions has begun to surface. It is the price we paid as teachers. We pour so much of ourselves for 9 months that it's hard not to feel a little empty at the end of the year. Like with any class there are some students that have required more attention and redirection than most. That certainly has been true this year. One boy in particular. I'll call him "Derek." Derek is a typical boy with unending energy who doesn't know when to quit. He also had a problem with anger. At the beginning of the year he would get angry when he didn't get his way, especially on the playground.  His remedy was to hit the offender. He spent much of his time in the principal's office. I spent time with him talking him through the anger and gave ...