Well as always this week has been a crazy week. On top of everything I was sick for most of it. Ugh! A couple weeks ago I began recording clips of segments in my classes, as a way for me to track student progress and also to evaluate my teaching. Also after doing these recordings, I usually play them back to the students, so that they can hear what they sound like and make improvements. Not really for anything else. The other teachers found out and loved the idea. They thought it would be something great to share quarterly with the parents and students. So while I was sick in bed that is what I worked on. This past weekend was parents weekend. That basically meant that they could come and follow their child around to the different classes they attended. So this was also where I had the kids perform Jack and the Beanstalk in front of their parents and other classmates. Well do to my sickness, I was not able to attend the collaboration meeting and was not really involved in the planning in how this weekend would run. This really is not so new. There are only two other teachers and they are married. What they say goes...sometimes we plan things together one way and then last minute it is switched on me. Kind of makes it difficult for me to plan as a teacher.
Anyway so sorry, it just did not turn out well. I originally wanted the kids to practice the play one time through and then perform it. To make a long story short I was assigned the kids for two forty minute segments to perform the play (all of which were in front of their parents). I reflect back now and I wish I would have planned better and made more use of that time to show case the kids. But sometimes when I am taken in surprise I just do not think clearly. Some of the parents thought it was a waste of time, because their child was not getting the attention they need. It was such a rough weekend with the parent, not all of them thought that way. Jack and the Beanstalk was not the only thing I had planned, I also had a phonics lesson with our younger students. I was also in charge of teaching all the kids Halloween songs, which they performed for their parents as well.
So the gist is I walked away from school this week, just down. I badly want to be able to help all the students improve and grow, but it is killing me that I do not really know how. Man it has been difficult. If anybody has some suggestions, I would love to hear them! Well I got up this morning ready for a new day. Parent weekend still not over, but I knew I was going to go to church today and that was my light.
Sundays I teach for two hours, one in the morning and one in the afternoon that was our compromise. Sunday mornings I teach four year olds and Sunday afternoons teenagers. This morning was a rough one as well. What makes it so rough is that parents put a lot of stress on your shoulders for their child. They can care less about the other children, but if you do not pay attention to their child all the time you never hear the end of it! I can go on, but I will not. This morning I just let it roll of, I thanked them for their comments and left for church. FYI not all the comments are negative, but they are the ones that weigh the most.
I know I have said it several times, but church fills my bucket. I went to church and just soaked the warm feelings all in. Cheesy I know, but very true. The messages, songs, and overwhelming peace that I feel weekly gives me the confidence I need to conquer yet another week. Not only that but I am starting to make friendships here. I got invited to lunch by three different people, such tender mercies because it can be a little lonely being out here alone. I made plans to go shopping with a girl that knows the best places to go! Yes! These individuals are honestly tender mercies for me.
Sorry this really is turning out to be long, but I honestly I am just recording random thoughts and I am fine if no one else really reads this. Haha. I just really want to say that I know the Lord really knows us and loves us. There is no way I can deny that. I see His hand everywhere I turn. I have really been pondering and studying the scriptures lately and maybe it is because where I am in my life right now, but something I have really noticed is how often we are told to keep the commandments and the Lord will bless us. There is absolutely no way we can go wrong if we keep the commandments, repent, and come unto Christ. Parent weekend was a hard one on me, but instead of feeling down, I think the Lord wants me to know that He is supporting me through this. I need to rely on Him!
Okay so I did not actually mean to share all of that, but I guess it needed to come out. The point of writing was to write about the tender mercies I have recently received. Yesterday night I wanted to watch a movie, but I guess the dvd was to scratched up it got stuck in my laptop. I did not know what to do to get it out, an my computer kept making weird noises the whole time it was in. It scared me, so I thought I will just restart the computer. Well it would not come back on. I did not have Abram nearby, so I did I knew I could do...pray. I prayed and asked the Lord that He would take out the dvd. I am not even joking, when I was done I decided to turn off the computer again and turn it back on. This time it immediately came out. As soon as it did, I got back on my knees and gave thanks for I know that was a direct answer to my prayer.
After church today, I felt like my burdens were lifted. I was in such high spirits. After my afternoon class, I came back to the apartment and had dinner with the family I have been living with. After dinner Sabrina (the daughter) played the piano, while the nanny and I danced around. Haha. Afterwards they performed for me, China's national anthem. I think I will share this tender mercy with all of you!
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