Happy Holidays!

I have completed 100 days of teaching! The fact that I am already sitting here and typing this is incredible. I cannot believe that time has passed so quickly. When I look at my experience thus far, I am in disbelief. My life has changed completely for multiple reasons and I do believe that I am flying back for Christmas with a renewed heart.

I thank God for this experience every day and for the wonderful relationships I have built. If you want honesty, I did hit my slump mid-November and began questioning a lot of things. Why did I choose this path and what is my purpose here? It did not take long for me to snap back into reality and remember the million reasons why I am in Arizona teaching first graders. Now, I am in a place of complete happiness and gratitude. I am the luckiest girl in the world. I am not only teaching children to read (whoa!) but I am teaching them how to function in life and how to break the cycle of poverty. I have spent so much time teaching life skills, and I stop my lessons every time that there is an opportunity to teach them something about themselves or the massive world around them. One thing that has really upset me is the fact that 6 year olds can be so unkind. I have witnessed my kids saying and thinking hurtful things and it has broken my heart.

I will not forget the day that I had to stop my lesson and show my disappointment to my little ones. I had heard multiple students picking on one little girl and the class refused to sit by her. I was very clear about my expectations for them and how they had let me down. The next day, I came to school with a kind class promise. Every morning, we recite this to start our day.

1.    I will choose to be kind.

2.    No one has the right to hurt anyone else.

3.    We may all be different, but we can all be kind.

Along with this, we have a box that we are trying to fill with kind notes. If someone is kind, we can write it down and put it in the box in hopes that our class can fill it up! A lot of my students have internalized these kind behaviors and throughout the day I hear them say “That’s not kind, we need to be kind, or please just be the bigger person.” This honestly makes me smile so much, and I hope that it can be continued on throughout their lives. Think about it. If they choose to be kind, and teach others to be kind, we are going somewhere J

The biggest accomplishment for me so far is the student I wrote about at the beginning of the year, the student who kept me up at night because I was worried that he wasn’t getting this excellent education that I had promised. This student has not been suspended since September, nor do I plan on any more suspensions for the rest of first grade. There are so many wonderful things that I could say about this student, and I enjoy every second with him. I began a paper trail immediately and we were able to go through the testing process to determine that he is emotionally disabled. Thankfully, this will not change his placement in my class, but will protect him throughout his life. I learned quickly that he loves to help, and it is obvious that he is so academically talented. He has become a teacher in my class, and helps students work through problems. I sent him after a kindergartener who had run away, oh and he also killed a bug for us J I don’t know what I would do without him, and I am so lucky that we was placed in my class. I truly think that God placed him in my class for a reason, and I am so proud of the growth he has made.

I could go on and on about my 25 amazing students, each and every one of them. I love them so much and am inspired by their willingness to learn and grow. My adventure here in Phoenix has been so wonderful. I have connected with amazing doctors with unending determination. I have been placed on a team of outstanding first grade teachers. I have met people who have allowed me to grow in my faith. I take in the beauty of the desert every single day with picture perfect sunsets and scenery. I have been connected with sponsors who support every decision I make and care about the welfare of my students. I have formed relationships with amazing people from all backgrounds. I have a deep appreciation of Indiana and Midwestern hospitality. I continue to find even more reasons as to why my family is perfect in every way. And, of course, I have been able to live out a passion of mine while being surrounded by 25 amazing individuals who have found a perfect spot at the center of my heart.

 

If I can give you any advice, it is to please serve others and give all that you have. Go outside of your comfort zone and talk to perfect strangers, find out what they need. Forget that new shirt that you had to have, and give to others instead. Be grateful for what you have, and come to the realization that you have everything you need. Find out what you are passionate about, and make a change. In order to live your life passionately and whole-heartedly, you must go outside of yourself and get to the core of a problem. It will not change itself.

My one hope is that everyone will be hopeful that we can make a world a better place to live in.

 

Be kind, be passionate, be hopeful, and give.

 

All my love,

Jace xxo