Demotivator or Motivator?

I have seen a few "demotivators" hanging in different classrooms around the school.  My first thought, upon seeing the above image, was your typical "ha."  Then it was, "ouch."  And finally it became a "hmmmm...".  I typically tend to see and read these without a passing thought, but as a teacher, it struck a particular chord. 

I want to be able to tell all my students they are "special" or "unique."  Words that either have a positive or negative connotation, depending on the tone of voice in which they are said.  I want my students to find their special or unique niche in life, and I want them to either find and/or utilize it somehow in my classroom. 

But then I realized that perhaps teachers are using this thought train as an excuse.  How many times do teachers tell students that they may or may not do something because they are "special"?  Or we allow students to go on being socially awkward because they're "unique"?

Everybody is unique.  At least that is how the saying goes.  But if you want to make anything of yourself, it always feels like you have to be a cut above the rest.  That is a demotivator.  However, I think the lesson here is that it is not enough to be "special" and "unique."  Those talents or skills should lead you to be useful.  If you're good at communicating with people, good for you.  But perhaps we should stop leading people to believe that they should stop there.  I'm not talking world-changing (although there is that potential, isn't there?).  I just think that the time has come to motivate students.  Even if we have to demotivate them first.

Goodbye

Goodbyes are easy for no one.  Many prefer "see ya later" and "call me when you're around!"  Some might even go the romantic route- "au revoir."  Until we meet again.  Even if the person never comes back around, at least you tried to maintain contact.  At least you know there is a chance of seeing that person again.

Permanent goodbyes are a little more difficult.  By permanent goodbyes, I mean, if there was a euphemism for it, it would be "see you in Heaven."  This is the type of goodbye I am facing this week. 

My Grandpa (or "Pa") has been a farmer his whole life.  When my Grandma passed away, family members worried that Pa's health would fail as well.  However, the doctors said he was strong from a life of toiling on his farm.  This week, Pa has been diagnosed with pneumonia...as well as an aggressive form of cancer.  Give two days to a couple weeks to live, family members come, say goodbye, and wait.  Waiting is the hard part.  Some family members prefer not to come in at all, claiming they want to remember him the way they saw him last.  As we all know, funerals are not for the deceased--they are for the living.  You might as well just come in and say goodbye while he breathes (if you ask me).

So here's my goodbye to the man who allowed to me to catch kittens in the barn, and then convinced my mom we should keep one (or two).  To the man who let me eat (most of) the chocolate-covered raisin and peanuts on his lap, even though I was too skinny and that could not have been comfortable.  To the man who let me have two calves as pets and let me name them what I wanted (Cinderella and Crazy, if you must know).  Because I know I won't be able to think these things, yet alone, say them aloud.  Goodbyes are much too difficult for me, and I hate to cry in front of others.

Snapshots

Snapshots of my week:

This book cover...

...because the Librarian suggested this YAL novel.  And it is written in verse!  I love novels written in verse.

This house for sale...

...because Karl and I were dream-house hunting.  This one has a library.

 This coffee mug...

...because it is just now Fall.  And I'm ready for the Christmas season.

 These salads...

...because Mackenzie and I made these salads with cranberries for lunch.  We put in our Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing in empty, clean shampoo travel bottles.

 These cookbooks...

...because in preparation for Fall, we are searching for crock-pot recipes so we can "fix-it and forget-it."

Snapshots

Snapshots of my week:

This coffee...

...because Kenz and I "splurged" to buy ground Starbucks coffee this week.

This quote...

...because it is an excellent reminder for anyone, especially me this week.

These ceramic materials...

...because I think it would be so much fun to learn how to throw pottery.  I enjoyed watching the students.

This ID...

...because now I am officially a recognized staff member of Lincoln High School.

This purse...

...because Fall is coming, and I am excited to bring it out again this season.

Answered Prayer

Sometimes it is so easy to be distressed and upset that when a prayer is answered in a positive manner, my first instinct is to simply be relieved.  A weight lifts from my shoulders, and I look forward to going through the door God has opened for me.  However, since my own prayer has been answered, I have realized that I should also be thankful! Funny that I sat in this chair last week and blogged about my frustration with substituting.  Then I proceeded to cry heavily into Karl's shoulder while lamenting my lack of Englishy-ness.  Now I am sitting in this chair, once again planning to be an Americorps member who is to work specifically with English students-- not gym, French, algebra, or biology.  English.

And I am thankful.  Not just grateful for a job, but truly thankful that God saw fit for me to work with the material that I love.  I am sure there will be trials and frustrations (how can there not be any when one works with teenagers?), but there will also be those instances when I get to see an "ah-ha!" moment flit across a student's face. I live for those moments.  And I work hard to see those moments. I just thank God that I'll get my chance to be a part of those moments.

Snapshots

I am absolutely enamored by my friend Kate's "My Week in Images" posts.  I love to see what she is finding beauty in as a newly-married, out-of-college professional and friend.  I thought I would take this moment to thank her for her inspiration, as I would also like to show people snippets of my life through a blog post in images.

 

Snapshots of my week:

 

This lunch...

 

...because nothing makes a Monday morning better like a Panera bagel and Raspberry Lemonade yogurt.

This outfit...

...because I love the red blazer paired with gold pearl studs.

These bills...

...because they have been paid. Thank God.

This planner and card...

...not because they are important, but written on the card are the order numbers for wedding bands that Karl and I have chosen for one another.

 

 

 This shirt...

 

...because "once a tiger, always a tiger" means that I will be sitting on the Tigers' side against Ellwood.

Thanks again to Kate for her inspiration for both the post and formatting.

CENGA

This is not where I thought that I was going to be. I was getting a college education. I was going to be a fantastic teacher--all my observers told me so.  I was going to come out of school and go into a full-time job at a school that was perfect for me.

Reality check. I am a substitute. Prone to go where the yellow slip takes me, whether that be French class, special education, History, or gym.  Why did I learn words/phrases like "differentiated learning" or "standardized" or "objective"? I spent hours creating fake lesson plans and then spent even more time creating real ones.  Now every day is a new study hall.  A full day telling students that they can talk quietly or work on other homework.

I am lucky to have a job in a school.  I am lucky to be getting paid for work in my field. I just find it hard to believe that this is God's big plan for me sometimes. When I heard the new term for our generation, College Educated, Not Going Anywhere (CENGA), I had to smirk.  With many of my friends unemployed or working in an entirely different field than what they went to school for, this term seems to be true. 

But we are going somewhere.  Whether these jobs are speed bumps or stepping stones in our lives, they will lead to where God wants us.  So I guess we are going somewhere.  Even if it is not where we planned.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11