Teaching

The other day I was in the dollar store and I came across some teaching materials. I was only supposed to be in the store getting one thing and I think I came out with six or seven of the teaching materials. After leaving it made me think back to the 6 years I taught before having my children. I loved being a part of kids lives and seeing them grow. Now, I was raised in a very strict school atmosphere as far as the discipline aspect and I feel bad for my first year students. Talk about tough and hard. Since, I have learned to have a balance in my classroom. I still pushed my students to excel and go beyond and was tough but it was with love and encouragement. A few words or a note of encouragement can go a long ways with your students when you are trying to reach them. Being there for there sports activities or just playing with them at recess can show them what kind of teacher you are. It was definitely frustrating at times dealing with certain issues at times, especially working with some inner city kids. When you get that note saying, "I love you Miss Behrens (when I was single) or Mrs. Burkhardt thank you for being my teacher and helping me", it makes it all worth it. When you are able to lead your students to the Lord it makes it seem like there is no other job in the world you would rather do. This past October I was able to take the kids and fly to Alabama where I taugh my first year to hear my Dad preach. The kids I taught are all taller than me now. One of my students who I taught in 1st grade and is now in 7th came up with her parents and we were talking. In the classroom every now and then I would teach the kids a poem that I had and that wasn't out of there school books. As I was talking to this young lady her Dad had her quote a poem that we learned 6 years ago. She quoted it word for word. The Dad proceeded to tell me that when she brought it home they liked and the lessons it taught and have used it several times with this young lady throughout the years. Hearing this after so many years made me cry but yet be so grateful for the lives I could touch. I have taught grades ranging from K-4 all the way to 8th grade and each class has been so special in there own unique way. I miss it and hope that the Lord will allow me to be back in the classroom sometime in the future. Right now I am just enjoying the opportunity to be with my own children while they are still little ones.