Live and learn

School is 2/3rd's of the way over! I can hardly believe it.  This year has been by far one of the most stretching, growing, exciting, adventurous years of my life.  I am beyond blessed to be a teacher and a coach and I just know that God really did create me to be a teacher.  I know I am far, very far, from being a great teacher, but despite all that I am enjoying it so very much.  I am trying to learn as much as I can to help me for future years of teaching.  I do know something about myself, I almost always do something bad the first time, such as presenting a project, playing a sport, etc., but after the first time I usually catch on.  I am praying that this is how this coming year of teaching and coaching will pan out as well.  I could probably write a book on all I have learned this year.  To name a few things,

1. Kids lie.
2. I'm naive.(1 and 2 were not a good combination).
3. Most kids are not motivated, I have to motivate and encourage them to succeed.
4. Always thoroughly plan my lessons.
5. Have high expectations.
6. Kids blame me for their failure. (probably one of the hardest things for me to learn).
7. Negative reinforcement works better than positive (even though it shouldn't).
8. Other teachers have AMAZING ideas!
9. Kids needed to feel like they trusted me in order to fully succeed in the classroom.
10. Teaching seniors means I get sadder as the end of the year approaches.

Here are some pictures of my wonderful students,