A Reflection on the New Year

 

Friends, 

I haven’t posted to the blog in some time.  It’s a gloomy day during the last few days of Christmas break.  The perfect time to write.  As we head into the new year here’s a reflection. 

At the end of October, we took students on a retreat to help nurture spiritual growth.  A day away from the classroom for a day of outdoor adventure and prayer. As a school, we believe that one of the fundamentals of impactful learning is to build connections within our community.  The retreat opportunity provided students the space to foster interaction through  fun and physical team building activities.   The retreat  experience allowed  students to build character in a non traditional way. It promoted vulnerability and bravery without judgement. 

As a teacher, I spent the morning watching students play together.   I hoped this day would help students develop into strong - spiritually  minded people. Our afternoon session included  an opportunity to participate in a modified zipline. 

“Ms. Lang, you gonna go? ” my students asked. 

“Yup, It looks fun!” I said.

“Really?!” they questioned.  My answer was still an unequivocal yes. 

The activity guide had agreed that he would fully support me swinging from the trees as long as I felt safe and confident.  I put my helmet on and climbed the ladder. He harnessed me in.  He then questioned,” Still feel good?”  I  was still certain. “Remember, shout as loud as you can.”  he said. 

And just like that I swung shouting   from the trees……   It was so exhilarating! 

This year has been so challenging. I have felt deep emotions as the one I cherished most, conquered cancer, dealt with the anxiety of the  pandemic,  argued with people I’m supposed to love, and really wondered if I was making a difference as an educator.  I have prayed that fear would become hope and that sadness would soften into joy.  I’ve  struggled to be content.    This year I’m thankful for the chance to swing from the trees. In the trees my burdens felt light. 

As I hit the ground, there was a sense of excitement and slight surprise—” Ms. Lang is brave,”  a few girls said  to each other as they walked on.  I was refreshed and smiled. Swinging from the trees was a tangible example of how I strive to live in bravery despite burden.  

In the new year set your sights on ways that you can help others carry their burdens. Remember that happy and hopeful aren’t one in the same.  You’ll be surprised how brave you can be in hope.  May your burdens be light and your blessings many! 

Peace & Hope,

Julie

Keeping Our Hearts Whole

 Friends,

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. It’s a gray and soggy summer day. I woke up this morning with the urge to write. The rain inspired me.

At this time last year our school administrators prayerfully made the decision that we would be able to safely return to in person learning. We made it through the year with minimal disruptions. I  remain grateful for  a successful school year.  It was different but worth it. 

It’s mid summer and a quick stroll down the school supply aisle at Target  makes my heart swell.   The classroom is always the place where I’ve felt most content. This remained true even in the midst of pandemic teaching. In a time when many educators openly expressed stress I found that I grew the most.  This doesn’t mean I wasn’t overwhelmed, it simply means I slowly learned how to manage what was in front of me.  I learned to lead and care differently.  The rules were the rules were the rules. Our health depended on it.   Students and I worked together to talk about their emotions. You can be like flat soda but, try to tell me why. The phrase,” I don’t feel well” was rarely enough.  This is to say, there’s a difference between:  My stomach hurts because I forgot to study for this quiz and I think I have COVID symptoms. You can write it or speak it but please be honest.   By the end of the year, I hoped that most students would trust me enough to tell me How they really were. I’ve always considered “How are you?” among the  most valuable of  questions.  At the same time, I fully acknowledge that it can be a tough question to answer honestly.  The year was filled with such BIG emotions. Every student and  every staff member in every school  likely   felt a sense of  anticipation, concern, loss, grief, worry , gratitude or joy.   Some days  these BIG emotions were connected to our classrooms and others days they extended beyond our comfortable classrooms.   Then came the day when feelings from our personal lives  intermingled with our classrooms --- even though we didn’t want to allow it or admit it.  I was no exception to this rule. 

In the spring semester a family member started conquering cancer treatment.  My life was  forever changed.  The day treatment was set to begin my administrators knocked on my classroom door and began to pray with and for me.  It's a common practice to pray for one another in our school.  Our sense of care makes us an authentically Christian school.   There’s an unforgettable part of this prayer that I don’t recall anyone else ever saying to me :  “Lord, We are thankful  for Ms. Lang’s life…”   And yet more  BIG emotions appeared: appreciation  &   value.   Perhaps, the prayer is  so memorable because it encompassed  my feelings as a whole person rather than just a teacher.   It demonstrates how we should strive to see others.  I bring my whole heart to my classroom and the prayer was such a sincere acknowledgment of that.  

 Keeping our hearts whole helps create  comfortable, creative , and caring spaces for students    and teachers to  thrive. This year strive to respond to BIG emotions in prayer and gratitude. It’s my prayer that as we recharge and prepare  to step into the new year that we will help each other carry our woes and celebrate our wonders.   

Joyful Blessings, 

 Teacher Julie 

Keeping My Head Above Water : Living the Promise Well

Friends,

 

 Spring break seemed like the perfect time to post an uplifting message to the blog. It marks the time in the school calendar when we can reflect on just how much we’ve accomplished and still look forward to the milestones that still  await us.  

As a senior in college, I spent the summer working with UrbanPromiseCharlotte.  My summer at UrbanPromise strengthened my call and commitment to teach.  My days were filled with the delight of helping  elementary school  students  learn to read, be creative with crafts,  be active with a soccer ball and be in awe at how much the LORD loved them.  Each day of summer camp  programming promised to be something special for students and staff.  Students especially loved Field Trip Friday--- An extra dose of fun with camp friends away from camp. Students were always  excited for the day we headed to the swimming pool.  

In our pre camp meeting  the morning we were scheduled to head to the swimming pool our fearless and faithful leader confessed that our trip to the pool could easily be counted as one of the most stressful two hours of his job. We had to be extremely diligent about watching students around the water.  Families trusted us with their children each day. It’s safe to say, that when the school bus turned the corner back into the UrbanPromise parking lot staff could  breathe a sigh of relief. Everyone was  safe and kids cherished  the memories they made at UrbanPromise. It’s a win win situation. 

Sometimes, teaching can feel like a day at the swimming pool.  As teachers we always consider   how to make lessons more creative , or if we communicated the right amount of encouragement to our school community.    In the midst of  pandemic teaching,   I worry when students are out   it’s something more serious than a dentist appointment or the common cold. I consider   If I washed  my hands enough or   maybe,   I haven’t  listened well enough to students who tell me they miss lunch with friends in the cafeteria?  It seems that there’s always something to wonder about.  It’s easy to feel like  I'm keeping my head above water and praying that I’m living out the promise well enough. 

As we reach the homestretch of the year stay excited for the ways that you and your students will continue to learn together.  Celebrate and cherish what teaching really means to you.  Help  fellow teachers see their value.   Remember that even in days that are ordinary there is a special sense of joy!

Joyfully,

Teacher Julie

Ps. Please pray for UrbanPromise students in Charlotte ( and beyond ) Hopefully they’ll be able to create FUN summer memories!