I am getting a degree in Secondary Education. I worked for 3 years with 6th graders and I have 2 kids. I also substitute in the schools here. I feel this gives me some insight into the workings of their minds. Needless to say, I am older than most of the other students in my classes. This makes for some interesting discussions in class. I don't claim to be an expert on the behavior of kids, but I have figured out a few things that people who have not been in a classroom or are not parents have no idea about.
One of the major topics in my classes is classroom management. Being able to keep your class from going wild and destroying the classroom is an important skill. The younger students in my classes still have idealistic expectations of these kids. There are days I want to smack them or just call them idiots and have done with it. I do try to have patience, but it can be extremely difficult.
One day we were discussing this topic. Of course the students in my class were spouting off their incredible ideas. The instructor was actually listening to all of this nonsense. I was restraining myself through great effort. Finally, the most amazing comment I have ever heard was spoken. One of the really young students(she might have been 20) announced her plan for classroom management. "I'm just going to tell them no, they can't do that." I laughed out loud. I couldn't help it. This had to be the silliest comment I had heard so far. I couldn't stop myself "I've never thought of that. I guess I should try that with my kids. Sometimes saying yes doesn't work with them." My comment was not appreciated.
I worry about the next generation of teachers. If you are a parent, you are well aware that "no" only works on kindergarten and younger. After that, they want a reason. Once they hit middle school, it has to be a really good reason. Maybe all young teachers have these ideas, but I've always thought rules might be a good plan. I'd love to be in these classrooms to see how well "no" works on 16 year olds. I expect a riot.
Jenifer Breshears
July 15, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Holy Thoughts
I was on a committee in my church that didn't do much. That's probably the reason I didn't mind being on that particular committee. Until the last 3 months, out of a 3 year turn, I don't remember doing much of significance. What happened in the last 3 months was a woman in our church decided to go to seminary and become a minister. I didn't know this, but there is a lot involved in becoming a minister. Going to seminary and graduating does not a minister make. This woman had to meet with our committee, then the congregation, then about six other committees. It's quite a todo.
Anyway, during the meeting with our committee, the woman in question had to answer a bunch of questions. They were mainly concerned with how she felt she was being "called to God" and her beliefs, etc. I don't remember the questions except one. The question was, "Are you holy in your thoughts?" Holy crap, that's a tall order! Hence, the reason I remember it. Our minister explained that it was something that was always a work in progress since no person was holy in thought all the time. I still thought this was a HUGE expectation and it really made me stop and think.
I am very sarcastic, as I said and friends know. I have a hard time controlling thoughts that pop into my head concerning people I see. Especially when it's one of those hit yourself in the forehead moments or your eyebrows are climbing. After this question was posed, I realized that I was not even close to having holy thoughts. I may not always voice those thoughts, but God knows what you're thinking. It's not like you can hide that when you die and get face to face with the big man. What's your defense? I didn't say that, I only thought it. No one knew. Oh ya, except you God. Sorry 'bout that. I'll work on it in my next life. I just don't see him saying, no problem.
This question has really been bothering me. I finally decided to ask God himself for help. I have incorporated this into my prayers. "Please God, help me be holy in my thoughts." The next night, I ask forgiveness for all the bad thoughts I had, and ask for more help. I'm not sure it's working.
I was talking to a good friend of mine who enjoys my sarcastic humor. She told me she was praying last night to not be the kind of person who tips over people in wheelchairs. I didn't ask the story behind that, but it sounded similar to my predicament. At least I now know I am not alone with these thoughts(and sometimes comments). I've never had to ask for the strength to keep from tipping over a wheelchair, but who knows what life will throw at me? I've met some very trying people. Anyway, my friend told me to call her when I had those thoughts. Apparently my snarky comments make her day.
Anyway, during the meeting with our committee, the woman in question had to answer a bunch of questions. They were mainly concerned with how she felt she was being "called to God" and her beliefs, etc. I don't remember the questions except one. The question was, "Are you holy in your thoughts?" Holy crap, that's a tall order! Hence, the reason I remember it. Our minister explained that it was something that was always a work in progress since no person was holy in thought all the time. I still thought this was a HUGE expectation and it really made me stop and think.
I am very sarcastic, as I said and friends know. I have a hard time controlling thoughts that pop into my head concerning people I see. Especially when it's one of those hit yourself in the forehead moments or your eyebrows are climbing. After this question was posed, I realized that I was not even close to having holy thoughts. I may not always voice those thoughts, but God knows what you're thinking. It's not like you can hide that when you die and get face to face with the big man. What's your defense? I didn't say that, I only thought it. No one knew. Oh ya, except you God. Sorry 'bout that. I'll work on it in my next life. I just don't see him saying, no problem.
This question has really been bothering me. I finally decided to ask God himself for help. I have incorporated this into my prayers. "Please God, help me be holy in my thoughts." The next night, I ask forgiveness for all the bad thoughts I had, and ask for more help. I'm not sure it's working.
I was talking to a good friend of mine who enjoys my sarcastic humor. She told me she was praying last night to not be the kind of person who tips over people in wheelchairs. I didn't ask the story behind that, but it sounded similar to my predicament. At least I now know I am not alone with these thoughts(and sometimes comments). I've never had to ask for the strength to keep from tipping over a wheelchair, but who knows what life will throw at me? I've met some very trying people. Anyway, my friend told me to call her when I had those thoughts. Apparently my snarky comments make her day.
Introduction to myself
I have decided that I have a lot to say about what I see. Everyone notices things while they go about their daily lives, but who do you tell it to? How many times have you seen the weirdest thing happen, heard a comment that made your eyebrows climb to your hairline or thought of the perfect comeback or comment that you didn’t say out loud? Who do you share these gems with? Maybe friends or family, but very few people have the same sense of humor I have. Sometimes you can’t relay the hilarity of the moment and then it’s no longer funny if you have to try too hard.
My name is Jenifer and I have decided to write down these moments in an attempt to capture and share them. I don’t want to be snarky (this is a great word I heard on NPR). I don’t have bad things to say about my boss, I’m not even employed. I don’t have deep, dark secrets to reveal about my family. I love my family. I even like some of them. This is not about gossip or badmouthing other people. I doubt I’ll even use real names. I just want to share those moments that strike my funny bone and hope others see the humor.
I am married. We are going on our 12th anniversary. It seems like a long time, but it doesn’t sound like a long time. We have two boys ages 6 and 12. To complete our household we have two dogs, Sammi and Willie, two cats, Dixie and Leo, and fish (the number changes daily depending on Leo’s fishing skills). We live in a town of less than 10,000 people in Idaho. We do all the usual stuff. It’s a good life. If you just saw us on the street, you would think we were a normal family. However, things are never that simple, are they? If they were, and we were, would I have any interesting stories to tell?
Jenifer Breshears
June 3, 2008
My name is Jenifer and I have decided to write down these moments in an attempt to capture and share them. I don’t want to be snarky (this is a great word I heard on NPR). I don’t have bad things to say about my boss, I’m not even employed. I don’t have deep, dark secrets to reveal about my family. I love my family. I even like some of them. This is not about gossip or badmouthing other people. I doubt I’ll even use real names. I just want to share those moments that strike my funny bone and hope others see the humor.
I am married. We are going on our 12th anniversary. It seems like a long time, but it doesn’t sound like a long time. We have two boys ages 6 and 12. To complete our household we have two dogs, Sammi and Willie, two cats, Dixie and Leo, and fish (the number changes daily depending on Leo’s fishing skills). We live in a town of less than 10,000 people in Idaho. We do all the usual stuff. It’s a good life. If you just saw us on the street, you would think we were a normal family. However, things are never that simple, are they? If they were, and we were, would I have any interesting stories to tell?
Jenifer Breshears
June 3, 2008
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