[Written last night]
I'm currently sitting on the floor of a hallway in my apartment's clubhouse. There's free internet here; it's just not that great. I'm eager awaiting the face of my dear friend in South Africa via skype. Hoping this works!
We have parent teacher conferences starting tomorrow. Parent teacher conferences for my PRESCHOOL classes. One parent in my 4s actually told me she was nervous about them. I looked at her in shock, "Why are YOU nervous?!" She just laughed and said, "Every parent "wants" to hear the truth about their kid, but really, we long to hear someone else think the world of them."
This just in: I LOVE my preschoolers.
I wish I could scoop them all up and hold them close. I want to kiss their cheeks and hold them on my lap [I'm not allowed to in order to protect me and all teachers]. I would love to play with them all day instead of doing some of the things we do at school. I genuinely and wholeheartedly love my students. I often wonder what it would be like if these munchkins were mine. I mean, I already love them so much. I can't imagine what parents feel for their kids.
If convincing the parents of my students that I love their child deeply was all these little meetings were about, I think I would be at total ease about the next few days.
And for the most part, I'm feeling rather peaceful about the opportunity to sit down with each parent and talk about how awesome their kid is. But there are a few that I choose not to think about.
I am often overwhelmed with the reality that there are very few people who have access into the lives of these little guys like I do. What a privilege and an honor! I get to hang out with them, love them, and tell them more about this Jesus of mine. I also get to discipline them, instruct them, and help train them up in the ways of the Lord. It's a crazy thing for me to process. I know that most people don't remember their teacher when they were 4, so I'm reassured that I probably won't do long term damage! :)
Of all the things I'll teach them this year, I hope they remember that our God is biggest, strongest, and smartest. That He can be everywhere all the time. That He hears our prayers and knows when we're afraid. That we can call on His name anytime, and He always hears us. I want them to know that the stories in the Bible are real. I want them to know Jesus.
I learned really early on the importance and necessity of modeling. Not only do I show them what I want them to do for every project, every craft, and every writing worksheet, I show them what I don't want them to do. And whether I like it or not, I'm showing them what a relationship with Jesus looks like. I'm showing them what it means to love others, treat each other with kindness, show mercy, be patient, and choose to be gentle. I pray that I'm modeling to them a relationship with Jesus that's honoring and authentic.
That's what I want for my kids. To know God. So, when a parent is voicing concern about their child's progress in reading, I want to say, "Ya but ask them about David and Goliath!" I am fairly confident all of these kids are going to graduate high school on time. If they aren't reading right now, I promise this does not mean you (or I) are a failure.
I stayed in my classroom a little longer than necessary tonight. I put on Came to My Rescue by Hillsong (very loudly I might add), and I just walked around and prayed over my classroom. I asked that in my words, my love, and my life that He would be lifted high. That in my conversations with parents, in my classroom, and in my little guys that He would be lifted high.
In my life, be lifted high.
In my world, be lifted high.
In my love, be lifted high.
