Owls and More

Thank you for visiting! If you are reading this you are probably aware I am moving from Idaho to La Paz, Boliva in just 7 short weeks to teach at an International Christian School. I am very excited about all that God has in store in the next few months. I can’t say this transition has or will be easy, but I am confident it will be worth it. I read this recently in Proverbs. “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” This brings me much comfort, especially as I look back on my life and see how God has never failed to direct my steps to exactly the right places and people, all for his glory.

As I transition from teaching in the States to teaching in Bolivia, I am reminded that though the setting, the culture, the resources, the language, etc., may be different, kids are kids, no matter where you are. If my students in Bolivia are anything like my students here, I’m in for a lot of laughs! When working with kids, the old cliché is true: “There’s never a dull moment”. My last week of school was no different. We spent our final week exploring all things “owls”. I have gained a slight reputation these past couple of years as the “owl teacher”. My classroom is decorated (covered really) in owls and our class mascot is an owl (appropriately name “Hootie” and yes, there is a special voice that only Hootie talks in :)). So, to keep my students’ attention on the last, energy filled week of school I decided to do all owl activities, all day, all week. We made owls out of bread, peanut butter and olives. We studied owl wingspans using string, rulers and yardsticks. We created owl journals. We did an owl gallery walk (various stations with images or information set up around the classroom in which students walk to and explore in small groups). We learned about and practiced making and identifying owl calls. It was a hoot! :)

Edible Owls!

At the end of our owl filled week I found myself on the receiving end of many owl gifts: necklaces, candleholders, bags, backpacks, charms, drawings, etc. After thanking my kids for their generosity, I stood at my classroom door one last time and said goodbye to each of my students as they gave me a hug and walked through our door. It was pointless to hold back the tears so I didn’t even really try. One of my students, a boy I grew particularly close to this year, who also happened to be a very challenging student and often the cause of frustration, hung back just a little. He was the last student to walk out the door. Most days I could barely get a high five out of him, but today he wrapped his arms around me and clung to me until I had to ask him to let go. When he finally pulled away, it was with tears in his big eyes. I told him I would walk outside with him to his car if he would meet me in the playground in just a few minutes. By the time I made it outside he was nowhere to be found. It made me sad, but I also knew it was time to let him go. God placed us together for a season and I can only hope this little boy was impacted as greatly by me as I was by him. Whoooo knows what similar stories and students await me in La Paz? :)

Thank you again, for visiting and taking time to read this. Your support means the World to me. Please stay tuned for future postings! 

My crazy 2nd grade bunch!