Willington and Work

School is back. It has been so hard to get up in the morning this time around. I don't know why- maybe because I do not sleep well anymore. I rarely ever sleep an entire night through anymore. I try to go to bed about 10 but never close my eyes until about 11 and then I am up almost every hour on the hour. J says we are getting old and this is what happens- whateva- we are not that old. So needless to say, I hold on as long as I can in the mornings and sleep until the last possible second. Then when I get home in the afternoons, I am so tired. If any of you have any sleep advice, let me know.

However, this year of school feels different to me.  This was my 3rd First Day of School week. I believe the first week(s) and last week(s) are the most difficult. By far this was the easiest first week I have ever had and I hope it continues to be that way.

We did alot of fun things last week- tangrams, read books( yes math has books), got to use the laptops(white Mac books....so cool). They told me on Thursday I was their favorite teacher so far.
As much as I loved hearing that, it is not going to last long. They will not like me when we are doing parts of math that are not fun. When we are reviewing for standardized tests for the upteenth time, they will probably hate me.

But I have learned that God has entrusted me with these students for a reason. All of them need me for math but most need a responsible, caring, loving, firm, moral adult in their life. God puts us where we are needed and He has a purpose for us, no matter what our job might be. The first week of school I try not to pass judgement on these kids but I quickly find the students who are going to test me and am so quick to write them off as bad apples.

I am so thankful that God does not write me off when I mess up. As teachers, we don't need to write off our students so quickly. God wants me to influence them- no matter how hard it is and I am going to try my best.
Even when I am at my wits end, I have to remember I am here for a reason.

However.....

here is a pet peeve of mine: my name.

For some reason, I have no idea, kids cannot say Willingham. Last week, this is what I got:

Wellington, Willington. Willing...m, Mrs. Uh, Mrs. Ham, and last but not least.....Mrs. Whatchamacallit.

Mrs. Whatchamacallit caused to me to lose it and tell the precious one about disrespect and how calling me anything other than my name would result in a trip to the office. Every kid in the class sat there wide-eyed as I got my point across.
I just never thought when I became a Willingham that it would be that difficult to say. However, they do not think that saying Jaquaivnhgeomfmowfmn should be hard. I mean everyone can say that right. ( No I do not have a student with that name- but close.)

Praying for a great school year!! I am sure we will all learn alot especially how to pronounce Willingham!!