Last night, on August 15th, we had our back to school, meet the teacher event. Earlier in the day my teaching partner and I had been making calls and connecting with families (both new and returning). To start out this year, I have 4 students returning from last year and 6 new ones to welcome in. We got a pretty good idea of who they were (on paper anyway), then we each selected names and made all the phone calls.
Most of my families (well the new ones anyway), said they would be able to attend, which was very exciting! We waited in anticipation to put faces with the names 🙂 Of my 6 new students, 5 of them attended the event! This makes everything all more real!
These families are entrusting us, our team with their children. What a huge honor this is to be a part of their life journey!! Most likely I will never know what each chapter of their story will bring for I work with military families, which is a pretty transient population. Regardless of the time spent getting to know one another and working together, I know I have the power to change lives for the better, build connections, deepen relationships, and work collaboratively for the betterment of every child.
This may only be the beginning, a first impression, but God’s given me great peace and a joyous heart in the present moment and what is to come.
I had but a few minutes with each family last night. Tomorrow and the next day, we have the opportunity to meet with each family individually, getting a better understanding of who they are, their vision and hope for their child, and ready ourselves for a new beginning, a new chapter in each of our lives.
Now I know I may not be a miracle worker, nor do I “fix” what may be wrong, according to a diagnosis given, but I do know it is child first then disability.
Every child has the ABILITY to achieve great things!
The trick is in getting to know what makes each one tick, what makes them come to life, excited about and beaming with joy! Once we connect with and get to know every children, they have learned they are safe in their environment and trust us taking care of them, that’s when the true miracles happen!
Children let us into their hearts, their world and the possibilities are endless!!
In my heart, I believe, there is so much potential with every child, so many hidden treasures waiting to be revealed. With God’s loving guidance, His wisdom, may I be the person the teacher, my students and their families need me to be. They have been placed in my care for a short while. May I make the most of my time, to take part in shaping every heart, every mind, every soul into the very purpose you created them to be.
God, I thank you for your presence, your being, for speaking through me and my heart today. I hope what I do is pleasing to you in your sight, to do all that is good and honorable, to love and serve you as best I can.
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 (ESV)
Magnificent Meraki 