I Love My Job!

Robert always encourages me to have a job, whether it be full time or part time, because he knows me better than I know myself. He doesn't want me to work just for the money (although it helps!), he wants me to work because he knows that I am NOT a stay at home mom. I have been reminded by being home that I get into a rut when I'm home all the time. I get depressed, stressed, and even lazy (although I have had other reasons this summer as well!).

I went to a conference last week, and I have started some training this week, and I LOVE my job (ministry). I can't imagine NOT doing what I do. I am going to be teaching 1st grade at a University Model School, and it is perfect. Not only do I only work 12.5 hours a week, I get to teach! I love teaching. And, teaching at this particular school is an even bigger plus. Faith Academy focuses on teaching with excellence. If the students aren't learning, we do everything we can to correct that. We focus on making learning interesting, relevant, and even fun. We focus on who the individuals are. We focus on teaching spiritual and Biblical principals through everything, and in my first grade class it will be so important (with the help of the "co-teacher") to build a strong foundation spiritually and academically. I just can't believe that God has blessed me with such an amazing place to serve Him. I couldn't have asked for this. It was totally given to me from the Lord. My supervisor(s) are amazing. I can totally be myself, and they see something in me that I don't. They expect the best from me, and that is what I desire to give because of that expectation.

If you don't know what University Model is, it's often explained as part homeschool and part private school. The teacher plans the curriculum and teaches in class, and most of the independent work is done at home (as well as some guided practice). The parents are called co-teachers and we work very closely with one another to teach their child. The child gets the benefit of being in a class and making friends, but also being at home with mom and/or dad most of the time. At Faith, the junior high and high school students go to school on M/W/F and have "homeschool" days on T/TH. Elementary (3-6) go to school on T/TH and have homeschool days on M/W/F. The early elementary (K-2), which is new this year, will be in school on T/W/Th mornings or afternoon (K is afternoon).

Last year I taught 8th grade and loved the students, but I realized about half way through the second semester that teaching 8th grade English wasn't for me. Elementary was what all my training was in, and I just missed it! I woke up one morning just feeling very strongly that maybe I should move down to elementary. I talked to my supervisor about it that morning, and she said, "we're looking for a first grade teacher!" She told me that she thought that would be perfect. So, I prayed about it, and I knew pretty quickly that I needed to move to 1st grade. And now, I couldn't be happier with my decision!! Although, I will miss my students :(. But, I wouldn't have them this year anyway... they are freshman now! I will still be able to see them on Wednesdays, and many of them go my church.

So, with this being the first year for 1st grade, I am working hard developing curriculum. We are using specific curriculum books from Bob Jones University Press and Abeka, but with the UMS model, we have to pick and choose from those books what we teach (since we have limited time). We teach for retention, not to just pour tons of content into their brains only to forget it tomorrow. So, we focus on the most important things. It's not easy! But, as the year goes by, I will have it down. I just can't wait!

Thanks for letting me share my excitement! :)