Lessons From My Classroom

 Teacher life 💚💙. Whew! It can be fun, challenging, tough and rewarding all in one. Every day looks different and brings the need to be flexible and adjust accordingly. I would go even further to say that the hours and minutes in my day can change up in an instant. I have to stay alert, observant and open-minded. Yes, I'm a teacher, but I'm also a student. I am a lifelong learner and you should be too. Whether that is taking actual classes. attending workshops, or learning from experience and others, there is always something new to learn. Do you want to guess who my best teachers are on most days?!! My students. Yes! I tell them all the time I don't know everything and I'm learning right alongside them. I tell them it's "our" classroom and we are to help each other out. I let them know that I have responsibilities, but so do they. Today, I want to take you into our classroom and share with you lessons I have learned. Buckle up, get ready, and enjoy the ride😊!!

1. Greet each person you see with a hello and smile. As my students come in my classroom, I greet them with a hello. When I do hall duty in the afternoon, I greet students and tell them bye and to have a nice day. In both cases, sometimes I get a greeting back and other times, I don't. Sometimes, students will greet me before I can greet them 😊. I greet students I know and don't know. A hello and smile can go a long way and make someone's day. I know it makes my day and I hope it makes my students' day. As you go throughout your day, go ahead and say hello to someone with a smile. 

2. Communicate your needs and wants clearly and listen carefully. In any setting and relationship, communication is key. Being able to state what you need and want is important. We can assume nothing. I have to let my students know what I need them to do in regards to turning in work, how to complete the work, participating in class discussions, how to enter the classroom, etc. For example, they have to know during class discussions that there is a way to participate and listen so everyone can have an opportunity. Ecclesiastes 3:7 tells us there is a time to keep silence and a time to speak. They know only one should speak at a time and everyone else should remain quiet. Now this does not always happen. However, I remind them that everyone's voice deserves to be heard and they should raise their hand and wait to be called on by the teacher. When we are communicating with others, let's make sure that we are communicating and listening to each other. Let's ask questions to clarify and make sure everyone understands, so we're all on the same page💙. 

3. Model and demonstrate how you want something done. I have a document camera and it is my favorite tool in the classroom 💖! It connects to my laptop computer. The camera is able to display information on the screen for the whole class to see. It is especially helpful when we're taking notes or I'm explaining how to complete an assignment. I also have to model how I want students to come in the classroom and begin their day. They know they should look at the front screen, which will show what supplies they need to be ready for the day. I also have to model respect and good listening skills and be a good example. In the Scripture in I Timothy 4:12,  Paul reminded Timothy that he needed to be an example in word, conversation, charity (love), spirit, faith and purity. I encourage and point out when my students are setting a good example and I do my best to be a good example also. Let your actions speak louder than your words everywhere you go and be a good example. 

4. Give compliments. Everyone needs to hear good things from time to time, especially with everything going on in our world today 🙏. I do my best to compliment my students and staff I work with. However, there are days when I receive the compliments and that feels good too. I remember one day in November that I received a compliment from a student that was right on time. It was a very frustrating day for me and one of my students in an afternoon class asked me a question. He said, "Ms. Clark, has anyone told you today they like your sweater?" I said, "No." He then said, "Okay. I like your sweater. It reminds me of Christmas." That made me smile 😊!! It was the first time I had wore that actual sweater to work for this school year and it does have shiny rhinestones on it. I like to say it has bling-bling 💫!! That compliment truly made my day! While you're out and about in your day, don't forget to give out compliments 💙.

5. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Now, many of my students are great at this! I also have to remind them that the questions should relate to the current topic at hand. In order to understand someone or something better, we have to ask questions. If students are not 100% sure about something, I encourage them to ask anyway. Chances are that other students in the class had the same question. I let them know that I will do my best to answer. If I don't know the answer, I will ask someone who does know. I am learning to be more bold now about asking questions thanks to my students 😊. We're never too young or old to ask questions, so ask away.

6. Sort through and clean out spaces as soon as possible. Paper trails are a real deal in teacher land!! Students' work, copies made, forms and other paperwork can pile up quick! It's easy to set a paper down (especially if you're having a conversation or trying to multi-task) and walk away from it. However, when you do that with the next 10 papers, it can became a huge issue because things get lost and deadlines are missed. So, before the papers get too much (sometimes it gets too late!), go through the papers and see what you need. Some may be multiple copies, no longer needed papers or upcoming student work. That's where folders and binders help a lot! I've learned to put certain piles in certain places and go through them quicker. I don't get it right all the time, but I'm making progress 😊. My students have cubbies in my classroom and many of them also have papers stuck out of their cubbies. Necessary papers they can't find are often found buried in their cubby. Once we start taking things out, we find it! Perhaps, our lives have gotten filled with clutter and we need to sort through different areas of our lives. We need to see what's important and what's not important. We'll see what needs our immediate attention and what does not. What we're truly looking for( like that homework assignment or form that needs to be turned in) may be buried under all the clutter. So go ahead, be brave and start sorting through your heart because the joy, purpose, contentment and perseverance you need is all there 💚.

7. Someone is always watching. My students watch a lot! They watch me, other students and teachers. I will hear them tell other students' directions I have given. They were watching and listening when I didn't think they were. At any given moment, anyone could step into our classroom and observe my students or myself. Someone is watching you whether you realize it or not. Someone is looking up to you whether you realize it or not. We all have to make sure we are doing the best we can. It goes back to lesson #3 as we're reminded that we have a choice of what example we set. My prayer is that you set a good example for others and striving for progress always 🙏,

8. Have fun! This is something else I am learning to do more thanks to my students 😊. Even with my lessons, I am learning to include more fun activities. I realize not all the skills we learn are exciting, but we can make the best of it. Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us that there is a time to laugh. I love to have fun and remind them that learning can be fun! I love hearing my students talking about games they play and places they visit and the time they spend with family and friends. I love hearing my students talking about playing outside and coloring (which I absolutely love 😊!) Make time for fun in your days and enjoy the moments. Make time for those you love. Recently, I went on a weekend road trip with my family and we had the best time 💙!!  I'm doing my best to include more fun in my days! A big shoutout to all in my life who currently remind me of this 😊.

My classroom is not perfect, but it is a place where encouragement, help, positivity and consistency thrive. I love teaching and I want my classroom to feel like home. I want anyone of all ages to be able to walk through my classroom doors and know they can be their authentic self. May everyone who crosses your path be able to be their authentic self. May you be encouraged by the lessons shared today. May you continue to learn in the classroom of life 💚💙. God bless you!