which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
This year teaching my Algebra class has been a good challenge. I am learning a lot about myself as a teacher, my students as learners, and of course Algebra. There are some evenings where I lay in bed hoping to fall asleep but find myself planning another lesson, trying to come up with a way to break down a type of problem or find a better explanation for what I will be teaching. I really enjoy being in the classroom, which has a very different feel from working one-on-one with students. This semester the class had a new student join. It has been a little bit of an adjustment for everyone, but the students are calling the class our "math family”. We have made some good memories this year. It has been so encouraging to watch these students grow in their understanding of math. This week we are learning about Algebraic fractions!
Resource Room
There is something about the second semester of the school year that I really like. (And no, it is not that it is closer to the end of the year.) It is that the students and I have had the first semester to build relationships and trust. During the second semester, there is a nice groove to work in in the resource room. There is a balance for most students between our academic instruction and personal conversations. I do not always feel skilled to navigate every topic of conversation that is brought up, but I do feel honored when a student trusts our relationship and is willing to ask me hard or controversial questions. This semester has already been filled with many lessons about math, German, the meanings behind British romantic poems, and existentialism versus nihilism, as well as with conversations on feminists, practicing yoga, and veganism.
Resource Room Supervisor
Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to observe the other resource teachers as they work with their students. As the resource room supervisor, I am able to give them feedback, answer some of their questions, and work with them to find ways to continue to improve our program. I also had the opportunity to co-lead a training for the academic support staff on progress monitoring. At the beginning of spring break, BFA will host the International Christian Educators Conference, and I will be leading two workshop sessions. One workshop will be on writing goals and the other on progress monitoring. I am thankful that I was first able to present these to our staff before presenting them at the conference.
Small Group
I continue to enjoy each Tuesday evening when I meet with my freshmen small group. Right now Libby and I are taking the girls through a series called “Brave Girl” which addresses the topics of their identity in Christ, relationships with friends, boys, parents, and God. Over the first weekend in March, the whole high school will go on a retreat and the small group leaders will act as the chaperones. We will spend the weekend at a youth hostel in the Swiss Alps. I'm looking forward to this time away with my girls and Libby.
Personal Life
This year I have moved from the German church in town to a bilingual (German and English) reformed church a few towns over from Kandern. I have found this to be a good move and a place to be better fed spiritually. The pastor gives solid sermons and has recently started an adult Sunday School which I have been attending. I was invited to share a meal with the pastor and his wife last week. This was a nice opportunity to get to know them better and learned a bit more about the history of the church. The pastor is American and has a heart for reaching local Germans with the gospel. He works along side of a baseball club as a way to connect with the community.
Please Pray...
For the upcoming high school retreat and the time with my small group girls. That this would be a time of building relationships with each other and of spiritual growth.
For the upcoming conference. That this would be a good time of professional development for everyone involved, and a time of encouragement as we meet teachers serving at other Christian schools around Europe.
For the next 3 weeks before spring break as they are filled with planning Algebra lessons, working on staff evaluations, and a number of other professional responsibilities.
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