Today's Holiday: National Teacher Appreciation Day

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. In the past it hasn't really been a big deal. The superintendent writes a letter saying how we are hard working and how much he appreciates us. Generally the PTA has brought us lunch one day during the week. Two years that stand out are the time the Superintendent hand delivered a jump drive to me in my classroom and the following year when I received a USB hub with the district insignia etched on the front.

This Teacher Appreciation Week, however, has been ah-may-zing! Our PTA provided breakfast on Monday, gave us a Chick-fil-a coupon on Tuesday, and put a "Survival Kit" in our mailboxes for Wednesday. Thursday should bring another surprise in our mailboxes, and they've planned a lunch from Papa Vino's on Friday. They are knocking themselves out this year! And to top it all off, everyday this week Chick-fil-a is giving a free sandwich to any teacher who stops by with a lanyard or school ID.

Join my amazing PTA and Chick-fil-a in showing your appreciation for teachers this week!

ISTEP season is upon us

"Fill in the circle completely and make your mark heavy and dark. If you want to change an answer, completely erase the mark you made and make a new mark."

School News

Dear Colleagues,

You have likely already heard this, but I wanted to make it public so no one is left wondering. This morning during the English department meeting I volunteered to transfer to the high school. This is not a decision I made lightly or on the spur of the moment. I have been contemplating it for some time and feel it will be a good opportunity for me to grow both professionally and personally.

However, I will miss you all dearly! I've enjoyed working at (my school) for the last 6 years. It's the only school I've ever worked in, and it will certainly be hard to leave at the end of the year. I value your friendship and support more than I will ever be able to express.

Thank you so much for being a great team of people to work with over the past 6 years.

Britney L. Smith

Keep praying for Haiti

Anthem of the Week

Let the Waters Rise by Mikeschair

Waiting...

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands...
Psalm 31:14, 15

My school district is eliminating almost 40 teaching positions. I am not losing my job. But my position certainly won't look the same next year. Thursday was supposed to be the day my department discussed "placement opportunities" for next year. However, that meeting was postponed due to some unknown factors. It's impossible for my brain not to make up scenarios. I wonder if I'll be moving to the high school next year, if I could be teaching 7th grade, if I would be able to teach at risk students at the high school, if I'll have to work with a certain other English teacher in my building, if I will still be teaching Read 180, and if I might just have the same exact job I do now.

On top of all the drama at school, I've been considering becoming a missionary and moving overseas. Maybe "considering" isn't the right word to use. A more accurate term might be "tentatively planning." The Haitians captured my heart, and there is a need for someone to teach English at the Haitian school and to the 12 orphans living in the children's home. I don't know that God has said, "Britney, move to Haiti." but he also hasn't said, "Britney stop pursuing this."

So during this time of waiting, I just keep repeating my new mantra, "My times are in Your hands."

Jesus is Calling

These verses have been rolling around in my head for the past few months...

"In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:33

"...Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Luke 18:22

Then on Monday Pete Wilson shared an A.W. Tozer quote on his blog about the monstrous substitution we make when God's gifts take the place of God.

Then my daily reading of Scripture just happened to include the following passage from Acts 4.

³²All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. ³³With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. ³⁴There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.