Survivied 1st Quarter

I figured it’s time for an update. I’ve survived first quarter- report cards and parent-teacher conferences are over, so that’s a good thing.  This wont be a very thought provoking post, just random updates from the last month or so.

• The girl I last posted about went downhill after that. It got to the point of daily kicking walls/classroom furnature (and me), screaming, throwing things, etc. We had to evacuate my class multiple times because it wasn’t safe for the rest of the kids to be in there (and she refused to willingly leave when help arrived). I’ve learned how to properly restrain a kid through my experiences with her.  Anyway, Wednesday was her last day. I love her to death and I will be visiting her at the alternative school weekly, but I am so relieved. It’s good for her, because they’ll be able to better meet her needs. It’s good for the rest of my kiddos because we can actually learn…and I can give them more attention now. And it’s good for the school staff. Our recovery room teacher, counselor and principal have been devoting so much time to this one student. Anyway….it’s been a really emotional journey, but I’m thankful she’ll get the support she needs there and I can’t wait to visit her.
• A sign I’ve been spending too much time at school- my stepdad broke his arm and I didn’t know until 3 days later. And I live with him. Pathetic of me, right? But now that first quarter is done, I feel like I’ll be able to better balance my time at school and maybe start to gain back some sort of social life.
• Related to basically living at school, I realized last week I make less than $5/hour. Maybe I shoudn’t spend so much extra time doing school stuff, but it’s so worth it…so I guess I’ve ok with it. 
• I find myself still kind of amazed when I meet people and introduce myself as a first grade teacher (I just did). I know it’s weird, but it somehow hasn’t sunk in that I’m doing the job I’ve so long waited to do.

I could keep going, but really need to get off (Halloween plans are calling my name). I’ll try to update more regularly. God has been doing some incredible things lately, which is great considering I’ve had a hard time making him my focus. I’ll share soon.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!