Well, a large amount of time has passed since I finally made the large move and transition to the state of Illinois. I have now taught for almost three months. It sure has been a wild ride!
The start of school was crazy. With working at the first ever charter school in the area, we had many deadlines to meet and many changes that occurred (and still do) on a daily basis in regards to procedures, classroom sizes, materials, etc. I think I have attended enough after school meetings to last me for the rest of my life!
A few days before the children arrived to school, I was placed as the only 4th grade teacher. Another teacher took the 5th grade class. For two weeks, I had 47 rowdy inner-city students packed in an overheated room. Boy was that a blast! (!!!!) I thought I was going to loose my mind and really questioned my ability to teach.
Eventually, another 4th grade teacher came and I ended up having 28 students. The majority of which are classified as "problem students": a.k.a. behavioral disorders, kicked out of other schools, violent, horrific backgrounds, etc. Every day has been a huge struggle to get these students to trust me and to know that I am supportive of them and that I won't harm them. So far, all that hard work is seeming to pay off. I have students who write me letters on a daily basis and always end the day by telling me "thank you" and "I love you." That has meant the world to me. I really do love each and every one of my students. They are such blessings!
In regards to life-out-of-school, I can't say that there is a whole lot of time for much else! I have gotten involved in the church that I heard about when I first came to visit Illinois. I am halfway done with my membership classes at St. Mark Lutheran Church. I also am an active member of the young adult group. On Sundays, I have begun to teach the 4 and 5 years olds for Sunday school which is always a lot of fun! It's a big difference to teach the wee ones that come from good homes and then the big kids at school whose lives are a constant struggle.
I have also begun to make some friends. There are several teachers at the school that I have become good friends with. I also have made some friends at church and in my apartment complex (mainly grandma-like figures here at the apartment). My best friend and partner in crime is Joey. He is a HUGE follower of Christ that I met on my first day of church in the end of July when I first moved out here. I don't know what I'd do without him!
Overall, teaching is going well. There is a lot of stress and different things to worry about daily (not to mention the fact that there has been ringworm, lice, scabies, H1N1, regular flu, colds, sinus infections, and strep throat plaguing our school). No matter what, I know that God has definitely put these people and places in my life for a reason. Daily I try to remind myself that I am here for a purpose and that God has a wonderful plan for my life that continues to unfold.
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