Pray Frequently!

What challenges have you faced in your years as a teacher?

At the top of my list are long hours and 100 miles a day back and forth to work. I have meetings that may start at 7:45 AM, 4 PM or 6:30 PM.  Educators spend hours of personal and professional time outside of their classroom/building responsibilities which are job related. I am not an exception.  However, as they say, “it goes with the territory”.  Other challenges: troubled students/families, dividing time between what needs to be accomplished and what others want you to accomplish, changes that effect instruction or support services due to lack of funding, as well as mandates from the state or federal level which make no sense at all and are not responsive to what is best for kids.  I pray frequently!

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving towards all he has made.  The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”  Psalm 145:17,18

Teachers:  Leave a comment at the end of this post to register for the free gift card to help resource your classroom.  And join us tomorrow for more from this interview.

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In His Wisdom…

Part 3 of our interview with a local teacher continues…

What is it about your career that causes you to be passionate about it?

In His wisdom the Lord knew I was one who needed room to take on challenges, be creative and comfortably “think outside the box.”  

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,; make known among the nations what he has done.  Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”  Psalm 105:1,2

I am unafraid of leadership as well as the challenges on a daily basis that are attached to my responsibilities. I am passionate about my students and how they are supported, educationally and emotionally, by all staff.  I can and will continue making a difference for kids and their families because I am in a position to do so.  Working with an excellent team of professionals allows us to create an environment that focuses on achievement, address concerns and laugh often.  Outside of my 12 to 14 hour “daze” I can appear more serious and reserved than the “real me.”  I’m just resting up for my next day’s adventure.

Teachers:  Don’t forget to leave a comment to register for the $50 gift card drawing.  And join us tomorrow for more of this great interview.

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Following God’s Leading

Our conversation with a local teacher continues…

Have you always felt passionate about being an educator?

I knew I desired to stay in education however, following a number of years in the classroom my inner voice, which I now know as the Holy Spirit, led me to step out and enroll in a master’s program for school administration.  This was not done lightly. Having completed one master’s in Special Education a number of years earlier (before kids), commitment and time factors were significant issues to consider.  Close friends in the profession were supportive and encouraging but there were a few who thought I was nuts.  My husband, who at the time was also a teacher, convinced me to move ahead with Cindy’s New Adventure.

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23.)

Talk alone wasn’t going to make anything happen so in 1984 I took the plunge, enrolling at Eastern Michigan for my third (and last) degree. I finished in 1987.  A family member inquired as to when I planned to begin my Ph.D?  Thankfully, the Lord held my tongue! In 1988 I accepted my first position as an elementary principal.  I have been blessed over the last 23 years thriving in a new career within a career.

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No Regrets!

This week ends our month-long series devoted to teacher’s with the 5th educator who will share about her passion for God and her career.  This is also the last week for the Resource Give Away with one final gift card to be given towards helping a teacher resource their classroom.  There are more details at the end of this blog post on how to register to win this week, but now let’s hear Part One of the interview with our teacher of the week.

How did you choose teaching for your career?

Heading for college in the mid-sixties, career options for women were somewhat limited to nursing, education or two year associate degrees.  Of course, there were some who took the less traveled path into science or business. I selected education as a career choice and reflecting back over my 42 years as a classroom teacher and at present, a school administrator, I have no regrets.

“Many, O Lord my God,

are the wonders you have done.

The things you planned for us

no one can recount to you;

were I to speak and tell of them,

they would be too many to declare.”

Psalm 40:5

Tomorrow we will hear more from this teacher’s heart about the calling God has given to her.  We hope you will join us!

*More Details about the Give-Away:

Register by leaving a comment on each weekday’s blog post and feel free to  include the grade you teach and/or the school where you teach.  One comment per day and per person, please.   Don’t worry…your email address is hidden and can only be seen by the blog administrator. You may use your initials if you like instead of your full name. You will be privately notified by email after Friday of each week if your comment has been randomly chosen to win.

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Opportunity…Addition and Multiplication

Whether in the classroom or in administration, as professionals we have the extraordinary opportunity not only to add value to lives today but to multiply, as we plant seeds by exhibiting God’s love to the future leaders of this country.  The Lord has called us to love people with His love, to encourage them and build them up, to listen to them and guide them to His truth through our actions.

Let’s live out our faith in an authentic way with an ever mindful vigilance that others may be watching to see Jesus in us.

Teacher’s:  We would love for you to register to win the $50 Gift Card Give-Away to resource your classroom.  To register you must leave a comment at the end of this post, or any post this week.  You can leave one comment per day.  Just scroll to the bottom of this article and find the word comment.  Click on that link to leave your comment and register for the drawing.  And don’t worry, your email will remain hidden and will not be used for any other purpose than to notify you if you win the random drawing at midnight.  Please let us know in your comment what grade you teach and/or the name of the school where you teach.

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Faith In Action

Yesterday’s blog posting ended with the idea that people will learn about Christ through observing you and me.  Vigilance in our conduct as well as our words is essential as we desire to share our faith with others.  That said,  here are a few bed-rock truths about sharing your faith in the workplace:

1)    Be authentic.  We have all heard the saying, “fake it until you make it” but that isn’t applicable when it comes to living your faith.  People know when you are being genuine in your speech, in your actions, and in your attitudes.

2)    Do what you say you will do—be accountable both with your word and your promises (be on time, with your finances, etc.); be a person of integrity.

3)    Be respectful—treat others as they would want to be treated and as you want others to treat you.

4)    Don’t mess with anyone’s money or spouse—this includes gossiping, sharing jokes and images that might be comical, but can be hurtful or mocking others.

5)    Be an encourager—empower people by adding value and serving.

6)    Be other focused—helping others achieve their goals is a responsibility of all Christians.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your desire is to draw others toward a personal relationship with You.  Help me to see how my daily actions can aid that process and not hinder it.  Help me to see any changes I need to make in my interactions with others.   Amen.

Teacher’s:  We would love for you to register to win the $50 Gift Card Give-Away to resource your classroom.  To register you must leave a comment at the end of this post, or any post this week.  You can leave one comment per day.  Just scroll to the bottom of each day’s posting and find the word comment.  Click on that link to leave your comment and register for the drawing.  And don’t worry, your email will remain hidden and will not be used for any other purpose than to notify you if you win the random drawing at midnight this Friday.  Please let us know in your comment what grade you teach and/or the name of the school where you teach.

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The Story of My Life…

St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel always, if necessary use words.”  The only gospel many see is the life we live in front of them.  What does your life tell about your faith and your Lord?

This is a challenge that I live with daily as I am certain do most of you.  As professionals we must interact with co-workers, students, parents and community members.  The way we connect with them by adding value to their lives and serving them communicates more effectively the truth of God’s love and His forgiveness than any actual words we may speak.

When I was a young adult working on a college campus, I was surrounded daily by the language of young people who definitely lived by this world’s standards.  The power of association was made very real to me when a fellow Christian, in love, pointed out that from my mouth poured both sweet and nasty language and how that violated the truth of God’s word.

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some among you who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.”   I Corinthians 15:33-34   (Additional guidance is provided in Eph 4:29; Eph 5:3-4; Phil 4:8.)

People can learn about Christ through observing you and me.  And so, vigilance in my conduct as well as my words is essential to sharing the true story of my life…how God’s saving grace led me into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Father God, in Christ’s strength, help me work towards achieving this goal.  Help my every action to speak clearly of Your great love and grace.  Let those around me see Your hand at work in my life story.  Amen.

Teacher’s:  We would love for you to register to win the $50 Gift Card Give-Away to resource your classroom.  To register you must leave a comment at the end of this post, or any post this week, Monday through Friday, right here at Giventhetime.com.  

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