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| Celebrate with Ruth Ayres |
Today's post is both a slice and certainly a celebration!
I am blessed to have a small Bible study group which meets before school once a week. The husband of one of our teachers is a pastor, and he leads the group. He usually shares a lesson based on a scripture passage. We celebrate life's blessings, share tears, and laugh and pray together. Teaching is not easy, and this group gives me the support that is needed to sustain a positive attitude. Many weeks it is the highlight of my day.
This week was our state testing and as much as we try to keep things on an even keel, this week has been anything but that.
We started our week with a snow day on Monday (our tenth!), a two-hour delay on Tuesday, and a one-hour delay on Wednesday. Testing was delayed a day, and the kids and teachers have been stressed. To top all of that, we are in our second week of hour-long extended days to make up for the snow days. Needless to say, it has been a long week for everyone.
As always, we prayed for our students, our principal and each other.
"God, please help our students to understand they are made of more than just a test score."
His words lifted me, yet also haunted me that day. I had students in tears and literally sick this week because of their fear of not passing this test. The pressure placed on these students diminishes their unique personalities, their love of learning, and the reason they are in school in the first place. These scores do not define who they are.
Being a kid during testing week is not easy. My students have been real troopers! They are my super heroes! And not a single score can tell me otherwise!
This really is a slice and a celebration. Your writing flows so well and I can hear your commitment to your students and your gratitude for your Bible study group in this piece.
ReplyDeleteLove those T shirts to keep them living beyond a test!!!!! Bravo to you for the right message :)
ReplyDeleteI love the t-shirts and your message. I keep telling my students they are more than a test score, but they still feel the pressure, especially since our school has been under immense pressure to raise scores or have our school taken over. We start testing this coming week.
ReplyDeleteLove that picture!
ReplyDeleteKevin
Yes indeed they are more than a test score! Lovely that you support each other!
ReplyDeleteI may have said it before but I admire teachers for continuing to do everything they do for their students despite all the challenges thrown at them. Teachers are heroes!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it sad what testing week can do to students and teachers as well. This is definitely one week of school that I do not miss.
ReplyDeleteYour photo shows the heroes they are now and also the future heroes for our country. I love hearing about your prayer group in the mornings--so valuable!
ReplyDeleteAwesome shirts. Awesome kids. Awesome teacher.
ReplyDeleteLove your super heroes. Hang in there! You support these kiddos and balance out the craziness testing could be, letting them know they are valuable super kids. Super teacher!
ReplyDeleteIn a time when people are so quick to bash the state testing a post like this is so refreshing. I love their attitude, and yours!
ReplyDeleteThe picture is adorable. These tests just sound so stressful. So glad we don't have this in Canada (not yet anyway!) Seems like you do everything you can to keep your students empowered.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great picture! I love that you have a Bible study before school once a week. What a great way to focus on what's important.
ReplyDeleteYou have stated what is true! What a blessing to have faith support at work!
ReplyDeleteI have seen 1st graders with stomach aches and anxiety about testing. I'm going to remember your haunting words and make sure my students understand that also.
ReplyDeleteI wish lawmakers and others would understand the pressure that our students feel and how it is physically impacting them. Glad you have support through the Bible Study.
ReplyDeletenot a dry eye in this house :) testing superheroes...how to make fun within the parameters of our lives@
ReplyDeleteYour kids are super heroes with a super hero of a teacher. You have such a wonderful enthusiastic attitude. Sounds like you have a supportive teaching environment, too.
ReplyDeleteI wish legislators could read your blog and others like it. Yes, our kids are so much more than test scores. Thank you for your voice. Your kids are lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteMore than a test score. I wish we could imprint that message on all of our students. Great celebration!
ReplyDeleteI love your post and the reminder for teachers and students that students are more than just a test score.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your week was so stressful. Hoping your week is more normal and stress-free than last week.
We did a superhero theme last year! I have a matching shirt :).
Jen