I wish I had a picture of Julie, but I don't. The closest I could find was one of me laughing. How is that related to Julie? Julie has the gift of making others around her feel loved, accepted, and before you know it, you're laughing.  She is that bubbly one that you love to be around. I had the honor of teaching with Julie and now she has given me the honor of sharing this with you. You will see that she also has the gift of weaving words together so beautifully that they will touch your heart.  I can just see her face in the interview! I don't think of that year as Julie's last year teaching. She continues to teach everyone who knows her!


I remember this day. ...and the day I was told I'd be teaching middle school math. I was terrified, and hoped it didn't show in my face since I was actually in the interview for the position. What came out of my mouth was, "I can do anything!" followed with the thought in my mind of 'Who said that?'; because that wasn't how *I* felt at the moment. It's amazing how God puts things together. I always struggled in math...heck, I'll just be real, I struggled in school. I struggled because I was more interested in writing the books than reading them, living the dreams I was told to dream but condemned for dreaming, I wanted to hold and admire the beauty of the butterfly and frog, not cut them up to see what was inside….my mind wandered to things it only knew of. I remember my fourth grade teacher telling me how much he hated dreamers, and gave many reasons why, then followed up with "You're a dreamer." and walked away. I couldn't imagine being a dreamer was bad because the dreams I dreamt, awake or not, were stunning. Whether we're a teacher, or have chosen a different profession, we need to encourage children to dream, to have adventures, to love unconditionally, and marvel in the perfection of being exactly who they really are. We shouldn't expect anyone to fit into a mold, especially when that mold is formed by earthly hands.
So I taught math that year, and for the first time in my life I understood exponents and the order of operations ...not only in math, but life itself. You see, God knew what I needed for my last teaching experience, and so He instructed the Universe to set that into motion and deliver it. I think every day of the kids I met that year, and all the things *they* taught me. I will forever be grateful.

                                                                                                         Julie Kellogg
                                                                                                  "The Tarnished Spoon"




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 By now, all of the schools in my area have been in session for at least one week. Just time enough for teachers to start thinking those annual thoughts. These are not ranked in any particular order. Just some random thoughts that I or colleagues have asked ourselves a million times. Some I've already heard expressed this year! Some serious, some not so serious.   Certainly not intended to be a guide or comprehensive list of any sort. Just random thoughts to enjoy and relate to!  If we're honest with ourselves, we've all had these thoughts or ones similar.  Just because we love children and love teaching doesn't mean that we aren't human. Some days are great and some are tougher than others. And, on those tougher days, we begin to count down, rather than up.  So, steal a moment or two to just relax, relate, and enjoy.

1. How many days of school until the first vacation?
2. When will I catch my first cold?
3. How many days of school are left?
4. Will PD be beneficial?
5. When should I schedule my first doctor's visit?
6. Should I get vaccinated?
7. What am I teaching?
8. When can I retire?
9. How will I ever reach that one child?
10. Can I make a difference?
11. Will students actually receive consequences for inappropriate behavior this year?
12. How many sick days do I have?
13. Is there life after teaching?
14. Will I always have the urge to correct kids in the grocery store?
15. Does anyone know or care how much I put into my classroom and my student's lives each year?
     (Yes, they do know and yes, someone cares. You are making a difference!)

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This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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After reading the title, some will argue that legally you can't put God back in school. But what we do forget is that, as Christians, we have rights too.  I started thinking about this after posting a reply to someone's post about what they should do in preparation for the school year. I replied that I always started my year off by praying in my classroom. I would sit at my desk and pray for wisdom and for guidance. Then I would walk around my room and pray for the students that would occupy the seats and for God's guidance and blessing in building positive relationships with my students and their parents. I prayed for our administrators and my colleagues. Admittedly, praying for some was not easy and I can't say that I meant every word I prayed, but God was faithful. He blessed me year after year.

We can also put God back in the classroom by showing kindness to our students and colleagues.  Let them see Jesus in you through your actions.  Some of your students will never see Christianity in action anywhere else. I always considered my classroom to be my mission field. I knew that I was limited, but I also knew that Christianity starts in your heart. Do I always act in a way that reflects the love of God? No, but I try and when I fail I seek forgiveness and try again.

Problem solving or behavior consequences can be a great opportunity to model integrity, honesty, and fairness to your students. Let them see how to peacefully solve issues.  I guarantee that several pair of eyes are watching you and watching how you respond. Don't beat yourself up when you fail. You are human. Failure is part of the package. By admitting this and showing your students that you are responsible and humble enough to admit mistakes and failures shows them, without words, how Christians should respond.

I pray for a blessed school year for each of you. For a year filled with numerous opportunities to model the love of Christ. For a year of learning and growing. For a year where you put God back in school.

If you are interested in reading more about your rights as a Christian educator these links may help.
How Far Can Christian Teachers Go in the Classroom?
Encouragement for Christian Educators
Christianity in the Classroom

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Are you ready for back to school?  Oh, I don't mean is your room ready? Have you prepared your lessons?  I mean are YOU ready?

Are you emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually ready to dive in to a new school year?   Going back to school is time to gear up and toughen up. I feel the pain of my colleagues as they discuss 'getting back into the swing of things'.  This is the second year that I haven't had to deal with this phenomena. Since leaving public school and going to a private institution, I have school year round. But, as bad as that sounds, it is wonderful! The most I teach is 4 days a week and in the summer it is considerably less. I will confess that I would love to teach more in the summer so I could hibernate in the winter. 

I often sub on my days off. This keeps me in the "loop" so to speak. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this or not, but I have been able to try out some of my teaching resources and pass some on to teachers I meet.  I meet wonderful young people that never fail to put a smile on my face (at some point during the day). I have the opportunity to see what area schools are teaching and keep up with school news.  I love the part, at the end of the day, where I can walk out of the building without worrying about grading papers, calling parents, or writing lessons. 

I drove by our local school this morning and noticed all the cars there. Awww... the "before school meetings". Something else that I don't miss. I am not a meeting person. Tell me what I need to know and let me go. Don't waste my time with stories and presentations and activities.  Just inform me and let me move on.  I have too much energy to be confined to a seat listening to a "Welcome Back to School" speech for 2 or 3 or 4 hours.  I guess if you aren't ready to return to school before the meeting, you certainly will be AFTER the meeting :)

So, are you ready? Long days ahead. Full of surprises. Never a dull moment. Never a typical day. Never a set schedule.  Are you ready to meet new faces? Greet parents with a smile on opening night? Help mentor new staff members? Put your personal life on hold?  If not, I hate to tell you that it is time to get ready. Do all of your before school preps and set your alarm. It's here.

Teaching is one of the most demanding professions. Teaching demands a great deal, but gives a great deal in return. In fact, there is nothing in the world like it.  I wouldn't change my profession for anything in the world.  So... Welcome Back to School. 

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This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers