This week I got to experience something that was taught to me at training camp (TC).
I am a substitute teacher. This past week I was subbing at an alternative school for girls. The first day was a disaster. Let me take you on a visual.
I pull up to this building that looks like an office bulding not a school.* Mind you I had no idea it was an alternative school when I picked up the jobs. I was looking onl at the length of the assingment. *I was a bit confused as to why this was the listed address. So I parked my car and went inside. They began to walk me through the procedures and gave me this letter that was very long to read on top of telling me they would have my sub plans before I was to start teaching but that they hadn’t been made yet. THe director takes me up to my room and asks me if I have any questions. I still had no idea what I was getting myself into. So I asked the only thing that came to mind. Were the students troubled students? She looked at me and said” I am going to stop you right there. These are students period.” I got what she was getting at, but she was not getting what I was getting at. So I told her I knew that but was trying to figure out how I was going to need to be teaching. There are no two classrooms that are the same. I was just trying to get a general idea of the population I would be working with. I still got no answer. I was told to meet in the community room at 8:15 to get the girls. I was starting to realize this was not a private or mainstream school but still wasn’t sure how to wrap my head around how to teach.
I walked down to get the girls when it was time. I quickly understood where I was at and what the day was going to look like. I still had no idea what kind of math I was supposed to be teaching and classes started in 10 minutes. As soon as the bell rang I was told that I would have a sudoku to give to the girls. That was going to be their math for the day and that they all loved them. Well I was met with opposition and disrespect and a hatred for the assignment from every class. I was even critized by the director. I had no control of the classroom and my expectations of them were to high according to the support staff.
When I went home I was tired, exhausted, and afraid for what the next 6 days were going to look like at that school. When I got home I ate and bascially went straight to bed. I had no idea how to fix anything or what to do. All night I was praying and asking the Lord to show me what to do and how to reach these girls. He gave me a vision. It was weird yet exctiting at the same time. I wasn’t sure what to do with it so I just went with it.
I saw this image of my credentials, all the places I have been, along with the fact that I have written and published my own book on the white board. So, once at school I did just that. THen with each class I asked them to look at and then asked them what kind of childhood do they think I had. Most of them said I was a rich white girl. I then had the opportunity to share with each of them that that was just not the case. I was able to tell them about what God was calling me to.
The attitude of the students changed and I had now gained respect. It was still a struggle with the girls but I was not feeling like I did the first day. I later had a great conversation with one of the girls experiencing something similar to me by having contact with her bioligical family and her wanting to know how i handled it. I now felt like I was making a difference.
I felt like God put me there in that school just for her. I know that it had to do with me trusting God and knowing that He was doing something with and in me.
All next year I am going to be in situations where I am uncomfortable and unsure of how to handle them. But, if I remember to just pray and ask for his guidance I will be right where he wants me when he wants me there.
Thank you to all of you who have partnered with me financially. I am officially under $10,000 left to raise. I have really enjoyed seeing all the people that God has called to help me. I have been blessed and he will continue to bless me and those He has called.
