When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.
Corrie ten BoomMonday, March 22, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
More than just English
Yes, I'm an ESL teacher. But I also find myself filling other roles at times - big sister, mentor, surrogate mother, etc. Here are some of the other things I have found myself doing for my students, other than helping with verb tenses and pronounciation and eradicating comma splices. :)
- finder - I've tracked down more than 1 lost binder this school year.
- caterer- I sometimes say that I'm "loving people with baked goods" - I enjoy baking, and I usually share what I've made with neighbors, coworkers, and students. I also have a seeming "fruit bowl" consistently on my desk (current status: 1 apple, 1 banana, and 4 oranges), and a stash of granola bars and chocolate in my desk drawer. If a student needs a snack (or forgot their lunch, as sometimes happens), I share my food. And my co-workers know about my chocolate stash, in case they're in need of a pick-me-up. :)
- dental hygienist- not really, but when my 7th grader lost his tooth brush in the fall, I bought him a new one.
- travel agent - I recently helped 2 of my students (a brother and sister) buy train tickets for spring break to visit a family friend who lives further north in Germany.
- storyteller - Sometimes I probably tell too many stories, but it's one way I can share life with my students and help connect what they are learning to real life.
- advocate/sleuth - Since my students and I are both new to BFA this year, sometimes they have questions that I don't know the answers to. And sometimes it is easier for me to track down the answers than to send my students on a wild goose chase around the school - it's easier for me to be sent to three different offices (not that that is always the case) than it is for them to be. Sometimes I have to help them understand this system and culture of schooling they are in; to advocate for them, as well as teach them how to be their own advocates.
There are probably other roles I fill, but I think this gives you a more specific idea of how I'm teaching and loving these students who are away from their own families, and most of them in a new culture. Thanks for your prayers and support that allow Mike and I to be here doing this!!
- finder - I've tracked down more than 1 lost binder this school year.
- caterer- I sometimes say that I'm "loving people with baked goods" - I enjoy baking, and I usually share what I've made with neighbors, coworkers, and students. I also have a seeming "fruit bowl" consistently on my desk (current status: 1 apple, 1 banana, and 4 oranges), and a stash of granola bars and chocolate in my desk drawer. If a student needs a snack (or forgot their lunch, as sometimes happens), I share my food. And my co-workers know about my chocolate stash, in case they're in need of a pick-me-up. :)
- dental hygienist- not really, but when my 7th grader lost his tooth brush in the fall, I bought him a new one.
- travel agent - I recently helped 2 of my students (a brother and sister) buy train tickets for spring break to visit a family friend who lives further north in Germany.
- storyteller - Sometimes I probably tell too many stories, but it's one way I can share life with my students and help connect what they are learning to real life.
- advocate/sleuth - Since my students and I are both new to BFA this year, sometimes they have questions that I don't know the answers to. And sometimes it is easier for me to track down the answers than to send my students on a wild goose chase around the school - it's easier for me to be sent to three different offices (not that that is always the case) than it is for them to be. Sometimes I have to help them understand this system and culture of schooling they are in; to advocate for them, as well as teach them how to be their own advocates.
There are probably other roles I fill, but I think this gives you a more specific idea of how I'm teaching and loving these students who are away from their own families, and most of them in a new culture. Thanks for your prayers and support that allow Mike and I to be here doing this!!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Rest
"In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
~Psalm 4:8
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress, I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all time, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us."
~Psalm 62:5-8
"Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
~Psalm 46:10
"Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant."
~1 Kings 8:56
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
~Matthew 11:28
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
~Psalm 4:8
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress, I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all time, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us."
~Psalm 62:5-8
"Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
~Psalm 46:10
"Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant."
~1 Kings 8:56
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
~Matthew 11:28
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Back in the Swing of Things...
Wow. So much has happened in the past month. So many good things! :) I spent three weeks in the US - enjoying Christmas with my family and getting married! It was a FULL time, but one that was full of many blessings and special memories!!
Today is the first day of classes for spring semester. The jet lag is hitting me pretty hard (perhaps because of the busyness of the past three weeks?:) and my immune system seems pretty weak, but what a joy it was to see my students today and hear about their breaks!
I'm currently a bit identity-confused - can I just go without a last name for a few months? :) On that note, keep your eye out for a new blog, as I will probably stop this one and we will start a new one as a couple. You know - I/me/my has changed to we/us/our. :)
Today is the first day of classes for spring semester. The jet lag is hitting me pretty hard (perhaps because of the busyness of the past three weeks?:) and my immune system seems pretty weak, but what a joy it was to see my students today and hear about their breaks!
I'm currently a bit identity-confused - can I just go without a last name for a few months? :) On that note, keep your eye out for a new blog, as I will probably stop this one and we will start a new one as a couple. You know - I/me/my has changed to we/us/our. :)
Friday, December 11, 2009
Fear of Failure
I've realized over the past few years how much my fear of failure influences my thought patterns. God has been working in me recently, to try to get rid of those lies and fears, and live a life that is embedded in Truth instead. I came across a quote yesterday that really hit a bulls eye for me:
"We cannot let the enemy constantly remind us of our failures and convince us that our shortcomings define who we are. Instead, we have to meditate on God's Word, allowing Him to renew our hope that one day we will be like Him." - David Jeremiah
That reminded me that I need to "take every thought captive to obey Christ"...this might not be exactly what Paul meant when he wrote that verse, but it reminds me that I need to evaluate my thoughts - to compare them to God's truth - to be able to discern whether they are thoughts of truth, or thoughts that contain lies from the enemy.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete."
2 Corinthians 2: 4-5
A Tale of Extremes
I started the school year with a list of seven student's names; students who needed extra help with their English language skills. I LOVE that at this point in the year, they are seven distinct individuals to me. They each have their own unique personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. I love working with and loving each of them. Loving them includes talking to them, praying for or with them (as just happened this afternoon), and giving them food. :) (I've always been one to keep snacks on hand for myself, but these days the fruit and granola bars are often consumed by students who either forgot their lunch or are just plain hungry. Six of my seven students are teenage boys. Need I say anymore?! :)
Now, back to those unique personalities. The end of the quarter is drawing near, so I have been doing end-of-the-quarter self-evaluations and goal-setting with my students. Here's how three of those sessions went:
J: A very self-confident student who sees only his strengths, and not his weaknesses.
S: A student who puts a lot of pressure on himself, and sees only his weaknesses and not his strengths. (Hmmm...reminds me a bit of myself.:)
H: A very quiet and reserved, but yet a very intelligent student. But he doesn't like to write. So what is he good at? "nothing" What has he improved in this quarter? "nothing" What does he still need to improve in? "nothing" What are his goals for next quarter? "nothing" After much figurative teeth-pulling, poking, and prodding, we eventually managed to get a self-evaluation and goals down on paper.
I know that teaching anything is intense, but I think that sometimes one-on-one ESL instruction is intense. One of my students asked me today if teaching ESL requires a lot of patience. I said, "Yes, sometimes. But I love working with my students. I think that more so, it takes a lot of quick thinking to rephrase or simplify things on the spot when students don't understand." I find that I have to work with each student differently. Not only because of their varied language needs, but also because of their various personalities and temperments.
But you know what? I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. Sure, sometimes it is challenging (and a bit frustrating) to figure out what to focus on when a student has so many needs, or how to help them strengthen a certain skill, or how to plan something that will engage that reserved or resistant student.
I think that at this point (almost to the end of the semester), we all - staff and students alike - are tired and in need of a break. Please pray for us. For perserverance, for grace & patience (with ourselves and others), for health, for a good end to the semester, and for safe travel as we all disperse around the globe at the end of next week.
As for my plans, I fly to the US next Friday - the 18th - to spend Christmas with my family and then get married on Jan. 2nd and then flying back to Germany on Jan. 8th and starting the new semester Jan. 12th. Yes - it will be a FULL but JOYOUS break. Please pray for Mike and I during this time.
Now, back to those unique personalities. The end of the quarter is drawing near, so I have been doing end-of-the-quarter self-evaluations and goal-setting with my students. Here's how three of those sessions went:
J: A very self-confident student who sees only his strengths, and not his weaknesses.
S: A student who puts a lot of pressure on himself, and sees only his weaknesses and not his strengths. (Hmmm...reminds me a bit of myself.:)
H: A very quiet and reserved, but yet a very intelligent student. But he doesn't like to write. So what is he good at? "nothing" What has he improved in this quarter? "nothing" What does he still need to improve in? "nothing" What are his goals for next quarter? "nothing" After much figurative teeth-pulling, poking, and prodding, we eventually managed to get a self-evaluation and goals down on paper.
I know that teaching anything is intense, but I think that sometimes one-on-one ESL instruction is intense. One of my students asked me today if teaching ESL requires a lot of patience. I said, "Yes, sometimes. But I love working with my students. I think that more so, it takes a lot of quick thinking to rephrase or simplify things on the spot when students don't understand." I find that I have to work with each student differently. Not only because of their varied language needs, but also because of their various personalities and temperments.
But you know what? I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. Sure, sometimes it is challenging (and a bit frustrating) to figure out what to focus on when a student has so many needs, or how to help them strengthen a certain skill, or how to plan something that will engage that reserved or resistant student.
I think that at this point (almost to the end of the semester), we all - staff and students alike - are tired and in need of a break. Please pray for us. For perserverance, for grace & patience (with ourselves and others), for health, for a good end to the semester, and for safe travel as we all disperse around the globe at the end of next week.
As for my plans, I fly to the US next Friday - the 18th - to spend Christmas with my family and then get married on Jan. 2nd and then flying back to Germany on Jan. 8th and starting the new semester Jan. 12th. Yes - it will be a FULL but JOYOUS break. Please pray for Mike and I during this time.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Grace...because He's not finished with me yet
God has been teaching me a lot about His grace recently. Yes, I've heard about the cross and grace all of my life. The knowledge of grace is in my head, but lies about perfection and expectations keep it fromy truly reaching my heart. I want to learn how to live a life of someone who truly understands God's grace and love, and the freedom that comes with this.
Our pastor is preaching on Philippians during this season of Advent. Yesterday, the first Sunday of Advent, he spoke on Philippians 1:6 - "...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." The Truth that resounded in my heart was the Lord saying to me, "See Kari? I'm not finished with you yet. I don't expect you to be perfect now. But I am at work in you, and someday, when you are with Me, you will be perfect. Because I am faithful."
Thank You, Lord, for your goodness to me! His goodness and encouragement to me especially hit me yesterday because I knew I was supposed to be in that church service. I had woken up feeling exhausted, completely lacking energy, and not feeling well at all. I considered staying home, but something inside of me told me I needed to be at church. So I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for church. Mike's house is on my way to church, so on Sundays, I walk to his house and then we walk to church together. Yesterday morning, when I rang his doorbell, he looked at me (I obviously wasn't looking my best - he could tell I didn't feel well) and said, "Why didn't you stay home?" I replied, "Because I need to go to church and get some God and grace." And then, at the end of the service, I turned to him and said, "See? I told you I needed to be here today." :)
Along these same lines of the Truth of God's grace and love, there have been two YouTube videos in recent months that have hit the target of the deep places of my heart. I hope that they encourage you as they did me. Here they are: God chiseling and Lifehouse's "Storm" .
Our pastor is preaching on Philippians during this season of Advent. Yesterday, the first Sunday of Advent, he spoke on Philippians 1:6 - "...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." The Truth that resounded in my heart was the Lord saying to me, "See Kari? I'm not finished with you yet. I don't expect you to be perfect now. But I am at work in you, and someday, when you are with Me, you will be perfect. Because I am faithful."
Thank You, Lord, for your goodness to me! His goodness and encouragement to me especially hit me yesterday because I knew I was supposed to be in that church service. I had woken up feeling exhausted, completely lacking energy, and not feeling well at all. I considered staying home, but something inside of me told me I needed to be at church. So I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for church. Mike's house is on my way to church, so on Sundays, I walk to his house and then we walk to church together. Yesterday morning, when I rang his doorbell, he looked at me (I obviously wasn't looking my best - he could tell I didn't feel well) and said, "Why didn't you stay home?" I replied, "Because I need to go to church and get some God and grace." And then, at the end of the service, I turned to him and said, "See? I told you I needed to be here today." :)
Along these same lines of the Truth of God's grace and love, there have been two YouTube videos in recent months that have hit the target of the deep places of my heart. I hope that they encourage you as they did me. Here they are: God chiseling and Lifehouse's "Storm" .
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