My fourth grade class is, well...unique.
Don't get me wrong, I love these kids completely, but this class can be one of my most challenging classes.
As class started, and I am collecting everyone's homework, an outburst occurs. Chiekzie starts yelling at this other boy sitting at his table. The offense? The other boy had accidentally knocked into his own desk which consequently gently tapped Chiekzie's desk. The following dialogue takes place:
"Chiekzie, you are not going to yell at anyone in this classroom. Do you understand me? Please apologize to Carl for yelling at him." I am somewhat calm at this point.
With great defiance and intense anger, Chiekzie responds, " I didn't do ANYTHING. I am NOT apologizing. He is the one who knocked in to my desk. That is not my fault."
My patience is running out quickly, and I am rapidly approaching the mean teacher voice. "Chiekzie, did you get hurt when your desk was bumped?" He shakes his head no. "Then, I need you to apologize to Carl for yelling at him. That is not how we treat our friends." He mumbles, "he's not my friend" before saying something that could have been sorry, but you would have had to be within five inches of his mouth to hear it.
My patience is almost non-existant.
He finally apologizes and the rest of class he doesn't do anything I ask him to do.
As I walked with him to my office to discuss his attitude in class, I had a catch in my spirit. My teacher speech needed to be discarded. My frustration level came no where near to his frustration level.
As I am talking with him he tells me something bad happened at his house this morning, and there is nothing I can do about it.
So, I said I could help. Let's pray together I suggest. So, we prayed.
And then, I saw Jesus. The peace that washed through Chiekzie as he threw his hands around me and begged for my forgiveness. You see, I understand why the blood of Jesus covers all sin. The beauty of a heart earnestly pleading for forgivness is irristable. He can not ignore the cries of His children.
When I cry out to Him for forgiveness, I feel like I have a glimpse in to the love that swells in His heart.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
A rough day in fourth grade...
Posted by Ashlee Liddell at 6:22 PM
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3 comments:
Thats pretty amazing that you are able to pray with your students. I have a few friends that are elementary teachers at public schools and would get in quite a bit of trouble if they did that in their own classes.
That was a really great decision you made to show him you care instead of yelling. I'm sure he'll remember that for a long time
ashlee, some day if i ever have kids i'm moving to where you are so they can be in your class. i love that you "love" your kids and that you actually communicate with them on their level. you are such a fabulous teacher!
thanks for being you...love ya girl :)
Tmproff, I teach Bible at a private Christian Academy, so praying with students is quite acceptable! It is amazing the things I learn about God Himself from my students.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I must not take all the credit though, because it was not my first reaction to the situation...praise God for the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives!
Ierrip...I, of course, think you need to move by me and have your children. I would love to be their teacher, and favorite auntie!!!!
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