Prayers are answered...
Coming back to grad school was not only a sacrifice on life style but the wallet as well.
Cost of living is South Texas is pretty outrageous, especially for what you are paying for.
We have been blessed to make it by with my subbing, but even then 1/2 my daily rate was going to Childcare so it wasn't putting us too far ahead.
In February an opportunity came out of no where, while Daniel was out of town and I had to make the decision quickly on my own, but really it was just the answer to many spoken and silent prayers.
A long term substituting job, til the end of the school year, taking home 3 times as much pay. Teaching at a private Lutheran school, 2nd/3rd/4th graders.
I had many doubts; my degree is teaching high school, I hadn't really enjoyed teaching at the public elementary level, it's a Lutheran school, would Chauncey handle going to day care every day?? So many questions-
But, when I interviewed and also sat in the classroom the next day to feel it out, I knew it was the answer and I could do this.
It's been quite the adventure as I've been with these 9 students the past five weeks. I've learned to love them, with their quirks and wildness in all.
I have 5- 2nd graders, 3- 3rd graders and one 4th grader. Mornings we start with Religion. Yes I get to teach New Testament stories everyday but Wednesday when we go to the chapel for Pastor to teach us. I still can't get over how much teaching them has helped me find different things in the bible that I haven't picked up on before. I've got to experience Ash Wednesday and Lent, as my Christian faith doesn't outwardly do these things.
After religion it's off to Language Arts- 3 grade levels going at once. This is where the craziness starts.
9:50 it's PE time, I take the Pre-K back to their room for snack, story time, play dough, computers or music depending on the day. I am Miss "Dolphin" to most of these 4-5 year olds. It makes me smile whenever they don't quite get the Dalton pronounced correctly.
After PE it's math time, more craziness trying to help everyone learn what is needed. Then Lunch and recess at least 30 mins of recess if not more. The public school rarely hold recess so these kids are very lucky.
The afternoons are a little less crazy as we are all on the same level with Science, Social Studies, Health and Character Building. On Tuesday's I take my class to computers, on Thursday's my class goes to Art and I take the K/1st graders to computers. Friday I get a 45 minute break while my kids go to music.
Also another cool part, is that these students have weekly scripture verse to memorize and their church attendance (to any faith) is recorded on their report cards.
So many cool things I honestly love about this little school. The curriculum ABecka is top notch, I wish every school taught it.
One very different thing about elementary compared to high school is the flowers and hugs from your students.
One week our reading stories and spelling words were about Cowboys so Daniel came as a guest speaker with his tack and taught the kids. It was a fun time for the students. I keep crossing my fingers it might turn into something for next school year, but I am counting my blessing that we'll have some money put away for the summer months.
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