There’s Something in the Water…

'Tis the Season...

In my life, it is a season of rebirth.  Well, actually it’s a season of birth.  Literally.  First it was Martha, followed by Teresa.  Then Amy had her baby.  Then Janeene, followed by the other Amy, Maya, Chris, and even Mark (well, his wife) – all with newborns.  As of this moment, Stacy, Anna, and Naomi are pregnant – and who knows who else?  What’s going on at my school?!?

 

Peer Pressure

With everyone bringing new bundles of joy into their lives, I decided to bend to peer pressure.  On a Thursday night two weeks ago, I went down to a great local joint.  I chit-chatted with a few of the attractive girls that were there, and was lucky enough to take one of the cutest young things I had ever met home with me that night.  That’s right… I adopted a dog from the local animal shelter!  This is a G-rated blog… what did you think happened??

The View from the Soapbox

I’m not a parent.  Therefore, although there are 48 students that I teach, I really can’t speak to the joys and tribulations of parenthood.  I can only stand on my soap box as a teacher and judge them based on how their children’s behavior and work habits in school.  If a kid acts up constantly, falls asleep in class, rarely does homework, or doesn’t give their best effort, that’s because of bad parenting, right?  I mean, how hard is it to go home and spend time with your kids taking interest in their lives, disciplining them, and reinforcing the importance of school?

Full Circle

I want to be a responsible parent to my dog.  As I was rushing home the other day to walk my dog, it hit me.  That day, I sheepishly went into my team leader and mentor’s room and asked if it would be ok if I went home early to take my dog out.  I was worried she would think I wasn’t working hard enough.

Me (sheepishly): “Hey I need to run and take Butterball for a walk.  I promise I’m not slacking… I’ll be working from home afterwards.”

Ms. S.: “What?  You don’t need to explain anything!  You get in early every day, and I KNOW you’re not a slacker.  In fact, don’t bring anything home with you!”

I often judge parents of the students at my school.  In fact, I have often judged all sorts of people – former co-workers, friends, and strangers alike.  I make snap judgments based on snapshot of their lives without knowing the full story.  It might have been (back when I worked in corporate America ) someone on my sales team leaving early that I judged as lazy.  Or, it might have been that parent who never spends time with their kids.  But… how would a parent be a responsible parent to their children without leaving at a reasonable hour from work?  And, how hard is it for a single parent working to support AND raise his/her children to spend enough quality time with each of them?  These are opposing forces which create a conflict of interest in which a very difficult decision must be made on almost a daily basis.  Being a parent sure isn’t easy!

I have a new goal for how to be a better teacher - to be more like my saint of a mentor, who, like me, desires to be like the best teacher of all:

 

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37