A lot on my plate

It's been awhile since my last post. Why? Lots to do, not enough time to do it. (As I type this I should be working on midterms, but I needed a break).

My first year teaching in itself if over-whelming. Teaching at a school that is in it's 3rd year of not making AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) is pretty much insane. In a nutshell AYP is-"A statewide accountability system mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 which requires each state to ensure that all schools and districts make Adequate Yearly Progress." (*I might add that it is the category of Special Education at my school that hasn't reached its goal the last 3 years, which inadvertently affects the entire building.)

Our school is in the process of "Implementing the improvement plan" that was started last year. We have a lot of extra work that all teachers have to do and committee's we have to join. Some extra work includes:

• Taking a course called VoyagerU. I would have never decided to take a 6 credit graduate level course my first year teaching, but the choice was to take it and have the school corporation pay for it and have the credits OR just take it. This did not requite a lot of thought on my part.
• Being a part of subcommittee researching best practices and meeting bi-weekly.

I'm also taking part in IMAP (Indiana Mentoring and Assessment Program): "Beginning teachers participate in the two-year mentoring and assessment program when they receive an initial practitioner license, which is valid for two years. Upon successful completion of IMAP, the license is changed to a five-year proficient practitioner license." Yes, its not even a real license yet!! Luckily I don't have to send in my portfolio and tape myself teaching until next year:)

Alright back to midterms. Hopefully this doesn't sound like complaining, I'm definatley not meaning it to. I love teaching. I love my students and feel like this is exactly where the Lord wants me right now. I'm so thankful to be a part of their lives and I've seen so many changes in the last few weeks that have given hope I have needed. I think this is more a disclaimer in regards to the misconception that teaching is only grading papers and working from 8-3.

SO THANKFUL IT IS FRIDAY!!!

It's that time again, Connor and Mommy Movie Night! The Con-man and I will be watching some Curious George and then Night at the Museum. I am hoping that my attempt to keep him up late will result in him sleeping in past 6:00 A.M. He woke up at 4:30 this morning!!! Seriously!

I've been fighting a cold all week and at time nearly lost my voice. I say this with some apprehension, but my students were different this week. I feel like the small amount of patience I have shown is paying off. It's like a different class, and in some cases different kids! Praise God that there is always hope because that first week of school I didn't' see it. I'm definitely where I'm supposed to be and I love my students. All of them. I'm still very thankful it is Friday and I can spend some down time with Connor.

Hope your all enjoying that its Friday as much as I am! Have a good night, I know we will:)

Let the Redeemed Say So

Taken from: Walking with the Savior by Max Lucado,

"I wonder if Jesus doesn't muster up a slight smile as he sees his lost sheep come straggling into the fold - the beaten, broken, dirty sheep who stands at the door looking up at the Shepherd asking, "Can I come in? I don't deserve it, but is there room in your kingdom for one more?" The Shepherd looks down at the sheep and says, "Come in, this is your home."

Salvation is the process that's done, that's secure, that no one can take away from you. Sanctification is the lifelong process of being changed from one degree of glory to the next, growing in Christ, putting away the old, taking on the new.

The Psalmist David would tell us that those who have been redeemed will say so! If we're not saying so, perhaps it's because we've forgotten what it is like to be redeemed. Let the redeemed of the earth say so!"

You have begun to live the new life,

in which you are being made new and are

becoming like the One who made you.

Colossians 3:10

:)

Jeans and Starbucks make Friday so much sweeter.