It's finally here! My first day of school as a licensed teacher is tomorrow! The last two weeks have flown by as we have been preparing our classrooms and curriculum for the school year. My classroom looks more like a place for learning and my lesson plans are filled in. I am gaining confidence as I learn more about the school and plan curriculum. It has been hard work, but I am ready for students to come. I can't express how much excitement I have to finally be able to have my own classroom!
Today was registration day at SCCLC, so I was able to meet most of my students and their parents. I have 17 students, 12 boys and 5 girls. They are going to be a handful, but seem like good kids overall. The majority of students speak Spanish as their primary language, but they speak English very well. Many of the parents enroll their children at our school with the goal that they will learn English. In addition to learning English, they are also engaging in a Christian community and many come to know Jesus. I have heard several stories that parents have been saved through helping their children memorize Bible verses and study for Bible class. It brings me much joy to hear these stories and to know the potential influence that the school has on families in Santa Cruz!
Many of the parents only speak Spanish. My limited knowledge and ability was put to the test today! They were most gracious and patient with me though.
I have some prayer requests and praises to share:
I still feel like this is where God wants me to be this year. Learning more about my students today, I found out that one has diabetes and wears hearing aids, another has had a kidney transplant, and another student lost his father two years ago. We all come from different backgrounds, have experienced various hurts in our pasts, and may not share the same beliefs, but God has a reason for us being in the same classroom together. I am looking forward to seeing all that He is going to do!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
Today was registration day at SCCLC, so I was able to meet most of my students and their parents. I have 17 students, 12 boys and 5 girls. They are going to be a handful, but seem like good kids overall. The majority of students speak Spanish as their primary language, but they speak English very well. Many of the parents enroll their children at our school with the goal that they will learn English. In addition to learning English, they are also engaging in a Christian community and many come to know Jesus. I have heard several stories that parents have been saved through helping their children memorize Bible verses and study for Bible class. It brings me much joy to hear these stories and to know the potential influence that the school has on families in Santa Cruz!
Many of the parents only speak Spanish. My limited knowledge and ability was put to the test today! They were most gracious and patient with me though.
I have some prayer requests and praises to share:
- Praise that the crate of textbooks and curriculum arrived today!
- Praise that God's timing allowed me to come early to prepare my classroom and to get a head start on my visa paperwork.
- Pray for a good start to the school year and for my 17 students as they adjust back to the school schedule (Luis, Roberto, Maria Eugenia, Constanza, Florencia, Leo, Christian, Daniel, Jorge, Santiago, Esteban, Samuel, Ailin, Luis Santiago, Marianna, Len, and Carlos Russell).
- Pray for wisdom and understanding when solving conflict and problems in the classroom.
- Pray that the language barrier between parents and teacher would not hinder communication.
I still feel like this is where God wants me to be this year. Learning more about my students today, I found out that one has diabetes and wears hearing aids, another has had a kidney transplant, and another student lost his father two years ago. We all come from different backgrounds, have experienced various hurts in our pasts, and may not share the same beliefs, but God has a reason for us being in the same classroom together. I am looking forward to seeing all that He is going to do!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!