Friends,
At the end of every
school year since the first grade I’ve cried.
The saying goes, “It seems
impossible until it’s done”. My tears convey a sense of overwhelming joy,
grit, gratitude, and hope. The joy comes from accomplishing another goal. The determined sprit comes from understanding
that overcoming obstacles isn’t for the faint at heart. The gratitude exists for the people in each
chapter of my life who promise that not only can I achieve success but I
will. It might be fair to say that I cry
because each year brings about a challenge that seems impossible.
Today I had the opportunity to celebrate
graduation with my first group of Walnut Grove Christian School Seniors as a
mentor and teacher. This year our time
in the classroom was cut short by unforeseen circumstances nonetheless, I tried
to remind my students often that I was grateful to be their teacher. I’ve
always loved graduations because they honor dedication to future dreams. They celebrate both who graduates are and the
promises that await them. Today, as I
watched our seniors I held back tears because celebrating dreams of young
people has always been my greatest dream. A teacher can’t teach without her
students! Congratulations class of 2020! It brought me great joy to dream big with you!
As a first year teacher
with cerebral palsy, I worried that students would judge or misunderstand my
limitations. At the end of this school
year I cried because my students care enough not to care. It is the one of most
remarkable feelings I have ever experienced.
As a first year
teacher, I wondered how well I’d connect with fellow teachers. We all teach differently but support and
acknowledge the abilities of one another. We love what we do and can count on
each other. It isn’t just about knowing good teachers it’s
about knowing good people. I cried because it takes courage to teach. It's so encouraging when the teachers you work with affirm your call!
As a first year
teacher, I was nervous about sharing prayer requests in our staff prayer
circle. I’ve borrowed strength from
that circle often. It is a daily reminder
that God is the center of what we do at school.
As a first year teacher
I wondered how much of a difference and now I have an inbox of thank you
e-mails from students.
At the end of the every
school year I cry. This year has been
full of opportunity to conquer challenge.
I am so proud to be a Walnut Grove Christian School teacher... It seems impossible for it to be end of my first year of teaching. I'm not done yet. Truthfully, I really hope this is just the beginning!
Joy & Prayers,
Teacher Julie
