I have come to fall in love with teaching in Catholic schools. What are YOU in love with?...

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything." - Pedro Arrupe

Friday, November 18, 2011

Doing Something Right

Every once in awhile, it's good to hear that parents (and even the principal) think you're doing something right.

When students are eager to get to school in the morning...
When students feel challenged at a level that's not too hard but, rather, just right...
When students open up and feel safe to take risks...
When students make a personal connection to their peers and their teachers...

During parent/teacher conferences, my co-teacher and I felt validated. It's not often we get a pat on the back. And it's not that we need one, but today we saw that all of the effort and care we have put towards planning, preparation, and lesson delivery during these past few months really hit home for the students, and they (and their parents) feel successful. There is room for improvement, of course, but most everyone has made a great start.

Our classroom has become a place of warmth and welcome. Our students want to learn for the sake of learning (even over and above to score well on a test). And I feel so blessed to be with these 19 students and my co-teacher. I am learning so much every day.

And the most important lesson I am learning? Take the time to build the community - when the trust is there, the learning will come...naturally.

Corny but true -->

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