Originally posted on Miss P’s Ponderings on August 18, 2012
You know, if I’m honest, I could complain about aspects of my job. I mean, there’s a lot of testing. K-Love has told us for a few weeks that teachers are the least respected profession these days. Government keeps cutting funds but raising requirements…or hoops we must jump through. Government cutbacks put stress on local school systems. Changes in laws and policies cause a whole new dynamic in the field I was called to for my career. Yes, complaining could steal my joy, but I won’t let it.
Those things I shared are true. Yet, they can’t overshadow the Truth. The Truth tells me that children are a gift from the Lord. It tells me that when I welcome one of these little ones into my heart that I’m welcoming Christ. It reminds me that I’m not to be a stumbling block in their journey. You see, my calling is to children and the public schools are my mission field. I’m to be a light in the lives of the ones He places in my room, whether for a day or a year. Yes, my heart is a teacher’s heart. I don’t teach to get two months off in the summer. I don’t teach because I never work a weekend (Let’s face it…I work plenty of weekends…I just don’t get paid for my time). I teach…because of my kids.
I often refer to my kids as my “crop” for the year. I have a year to tend the crop that’s been planted in room 302. Oh, how I hope to be a good gardener! (Let’s hope I’m better than I am with real plants! Ha!!) After only 11 days with my “new garden”, I can honestly say that I love the little ones He placed in my room. I have already been touched by so many sweet things this year, and I anticipate my heart breaking a little when May rolls around.
The title of today’s post…is due to the sunshine my kids and parents sprinkle into my days. Regardless of the “storm clouds” that politicians try to push into my atmosphere, sunshine is stronger. I thought I’d give you a glimpse.
Let’s see, one little boy professes daily, “Miss Pflaumer, you’re the best teacher in the world.”. On Friday, he didn’t get to participate in Fun Friday due to being a little too noisy one day. As he was heading next door to the “Un-Fun Room” [where students work on their reading and math goals], he came up and said, “Miss Pflaumer, you really are the best teacher in the world, even if I don’t get Fun Friday. You’re the best!” OK, how can that not put a smile on my face?
After he went out the door, another boy was at my side, he wrapped his arms around me and said, “I think so too, Miss P. He’s right, you are the best.” Awww, it was such a sweet sentiment.
Then, we can’t forget my girl who tells me every day after she returns from language arts’ class, “Miss P, I really missed you.” Yesterday, when I went to get my kids from the “Un Fun” room she added, “I missed you, I’m glad you’re back.” Wow! Only 30-minutes later, and her sentiment was sincere. My heart melted a little more.
Of course, my language kids tug at my heart strings too. As I stand outside my door at 7:45a.m., greeting the students as they arrive, one of my LA girls came up. “Here, Miss P, I made these bookmarks, and I want you to have one.” Of course, I pick the purple one, and her face beams. As I finish reading a chapter and tell them we’ll read more later, the LA class lets out an “ugg” and says, “Just one more, please?” [Umm, no…we have lessons to learn and skills to acquire, but it’s a sweet request nonetheless.]
Does it stop with my third graders? Nope. Every afternoon, I take my students to their special class at 1:52. On three of those days, I’m in the fourth grade hallway on the way back to my classroom. I have to chuckle as I take my “celebrity” walk down the hall. Last year’s crop dash out of their line for a quick hug. I sure hope their fourth grade teachers don’t mind too much because I find it sweet. A splash of sunshine!
Then, there was another fourth grader who stopped by my classroom after school to bring me a packet of seeds. If I can tend them well, they’ll grow into lovely purple flowers with some pink mixed in too. It’s a small gesture, I know, but the fact that they’re purple is a demonstration of affection. Again, my heart melts.
As I sat typing my lesson plans yesterday afternoon, one of my students returned to give me a hug. Her parent works in the school, so she just wanted to stop by and hug me before she left for the weekend. I’m amazed as I had just had to talk to her about some behavior issues, but it’s forgotten as she demonstrates her feeling of acceptance in my classroom.
Of course, I can’t share my sunshine without sharing that I’ve had some kind e-mails and FB comments/messages from parents too. I’ve had conversations in my classroom, the hallway, and even the cafeteria that have been encouraging.
I honestly get excited when I think of the possibilities of our school year together. I have high expectations for what my crop will grow into. I pray that by the end of May they’ll be able to be harvested as fourth graders eager for another “farmer” to develop them further. Alas, I will not worry about tomorrow, but I will enjoy each day along the journey.
So, as I ponder all the sunshine my kids and their parents have sprinkled on my first two weeks of school, I can’t help but see the Sonshine. You see, I know that I’m a teacher because my Creator gave me a joy to work with children, creativity to help engage them, and determination not to let “storms” take away my joy.
I pray He’ll use me to be the Light…and to shine His Sonshine on the lives of all whose paths I cross. Have you been shining for Him this week? This day? This hour? If not, start shining!
Jodi Lea Pflaumer, Author 