The Lord Answers Prayers

I needed help, and the Lord answered the prayers. He is amazing, and He listens. Don't believe? Please believe, by my word, it is true. I asked for the Lord's protection, and for his guidance, and this past week, I was "removed" from the students 2 of the 5 days, without my own doing. Another power interceded and made it possible for me to do my job, but protected me at the same time.

One day last week, a full-day substitute was ordered for me - by mistake, Oh joyous mistake! I had a meeting for one hour, not one day; but the wonderful lady scheduled a whole-day substitute for me, and I was grateful for the error. I attended my meeting, did some special work as a result of decisions made at that meeting, and worked on computer training the remaining part of the day. This enabled me to be on track and prepared, as a death on the family took me out on Friday, the second day that I was "removed" from the clutches of those who have been so troubling and difficult. On that day, instead of having to deal with students who have shown me disrespect, I was in the presence of the Lord, at the Mass of Christian Burial of my cousin, and with loving family all day. The Lord held me, and was within me all day; He protected me all day, and was with me that day, I witnessed his Transubstantiation, and received Him. He lifted my spirits as I dined with family and relatives who came from miles away to be together on that day.

I witness our Lord presence again on Sunday, and receive HIM again. Tears to my eyes for the Goodness he has brought to me.

More Disrespect

Today, My students were prepped on their Novel Portfolio project narrative, where they research a topic, related to Civil War, from a perspective of a participant of the time period. They can use journal, news report, essay, or artistic presentation, such as poetry to express their understanding of the novel Killer Angels. They have worked on many components, and this is the end project. It is looking so good, but yet, in most classes, students talked over me, carried on their own conversations and knocked my Civil War books on the floor. Yesterday, some of the same individuals, tossed a heavy dictionary and a paperback vocabulary book around without setting it back on the proper shelf, less than two feet from where both books were thrown!
I continue to wonder why?
I introduced them to some excellent poetry selections, and options from a wide variety of sources, web links and other resources that integrate technology, as well as permit the use of online quick-time or download to Itunes. Most kids were respectful, but I found my resources under desks, on desks, on the floor, without names, and without the short important notes I gave them all for the future projects.
I feel defeated.
I try not to let these students get to me, but their behavior is bizarre. I continue to ask the Lord to guide me, and be with me.
Be with me Lord, when I am in trouble, be with me oh Lord, I Pray.

Joyous Easter!

I am so happy it is Easter! I look forward to the next few weeks, as we wind down another year of school. I am not very pleased that we lost our EASTER Monday to a snow day. But, I am ready to begin the week, nonetheless. My husband will be off on Mondays, due to slowdowns at work, and it will help him find time to get a few house chores done this spring, without jamming too much with Spring Baseball, volleyball, and band concerts.

It bothers me that the School boards responsible for putting together the 2008-09 calendar disregarded the religious significance of Easter either from ignorance or ulterior motives, thus denying thousands affected by this decision to call snow days when 2-hour delays could have been utilized over some far-fetched notion that teachers would not be "working" during those 2 hours! Do they honestly want teachers to track every spare minute given up that is not part of the actual work hours with students, but is instead, for students? They could not afford my overtime research and development!

A prayer again: For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion,
Have Mercy On Us, and On the whole world.

Student Accusations

This morning, a fellow teacher and wonderful woman, was falsely accused by a senior student, who happens to be "out of the closet" about her sexual orientation, that she was not only Catholic, but prejudiced toward lesbians. This woman is one of the finest people, and the kindest, most giving teacher these students have every had. This accusation should never have been entertained, yet it was, and another call came from the guardian grandmother of another friend of this lesbian, who got on the bandwagon to further tongue lash this teacher, who absolutely would never garner prejudice.

She was flabbergasted and in tears most of the morning. Many of us rushed to console and support. It is how we get through the day. We look out for one another, keep in touch with one another, and support one another. It is all we can do.

Those ready to retire and seeing a glorious light at the end the tunnel. Some of us, trying not be so cynical, are headed into darkness. Many people have heartbreaking situations that keep us rushing to one another to offer support. We have a teacher who has a stage 4 cancer which could eventually claim her life. We have an 8 grade student with a Leukemia which could keep him from adulthood. Both are in remission as of this year. Another fabulous staff member found out that his wife has a squamous skin cancer, surfaced on her tongue, and she never drank or smoked in her entire life. A person with no habits or precursors, young and three lovely children, and seemingly everything, another victim of cancer. There is no doubt that all of us need one another, and will work to support one another.

During Holy Week, I have had to go to work, unable to focus on these holy times.
Tomorrow is Holy Thursday, the feast of the Lord's Supper-The opening of the Tridium.
I pray that on this day, my students are forgiving and kind. It is the least I can ask after so much grief & disrespect I have faced in their presence.

Disheartened

It is holy week, and I need everything to find the strength to be holy. Yesterday and today, as I have worked with my students to build the understand of the work in class ( a novel portfolio ) they received report cards and instantly jumped on a "complaint" list about me! I didn't see the list, but it greatly hurt me when I learned of it; as I have felt defeated most of the year.
I know I am doing the right thing, I know I have the safety net of the Lord, and I keep wondering what message it is sending? Every day I wonder if I'm headed to the right place. Every day, at the end of the day, I'm glad I'm going home. Every morning I wake up, not wanting to go.

I have the support of those around me, and the Lord's loving arms.

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Hey, Here is a great link, and listen to Sir Ken Robinson. He is amazing, and he speaks about one of the biggest problems with Education in America. School Killing Creativity in Children.

BOYS!

More to add....one of the freshman girls had been touched and poked by three boys, who targeted her breasts, and her ribcage, and buttocks. The touching happened during a class on Friday, which was being supervised by a highly competent substitute, who was working closely with learning support students. By Monday, she confided in me, as she started to come to class and one of them was in her class. So, I, fully understanding her plight, directed her to the nurse, to the Student Assistance Team, and that got the ball rolling. By Wednesday, three boys were hauled to ISS, and these are boys not related to dropping their drawers in my presence, but more kids going after sexual thrills in a school setting. This is what I have been seeing in all the students; good, bad and in between. What next? I can't wait for this school year to turn a page.

Where Union Dues $ Goes?

Is this my next move? Yes, it may be. I have belonged to a teachers' union for over 20 years. I have benefited in salary and health care. But is this worth the immoral use of my dues money going to support sinful behavior that I, as a Catholic stand against - abortion, birth control, and homosexuality? Please go to this link to read about a brave woman, who is now in the middle of a court battle over how her compulsory dues money is spent.

Catholic Holy Week disregarded by School District

The District Calendar disgraces and disrespects the Holiest Days in the Christian Calendar! And it seems that no one cares. Here is the link the calendar, to which I am referring. If you note, the calendar begins telling the community that Easter break begins on Good Friday! To begin, that is highly ignorant. Easter begins on the vigil of Easter Sunday. Students and people in most businesses get normal Sundays off from work, so how could this day (part of the weekend, and Easter Sunday) still be considered an EASTER break from school? School is in session on Easter Monday, the second day of EASTER, and this calendar provides NO EASTER BREAK in 2009 for the community and school district where I work.

Christians are attacked by this practice of not acknowledging the Holiest Days of the Christian Celebration, and what it means to be a Christian. As a Catholic, I am keenly aware of this affront, yet unable and powerless to do anything, except take a personal day, or sick day to have the time to pray, and practice my faith.