Jesusluvsall's Blog

As I drove to school yesterday morning on the icy snowy streets, I wondered how many of the moms in my class would make it. They live in the neighborhood of the school, but the landlords for the buildings in the neighborhood don’t do a good job of making sure sidewalks are clear. Also, all of my students come from warm climates where it never snows.

I was happy to see that ten of my moms braved the cold morning after the snow day and came to class.

Our wonderful volunteer Kathleen came braving the elements. She went to her grandson’s school first to listen to him sing. When she walked in the room, the moms were happy to see she made it. I had told them that maybe she wouldn’t because she lived across town and the streets are not good.

We mostly practiced conversation since many moms were missing. We split into two groups, one my assistant led and the other I did along with Kathleen. When my students get tested, it is an oral skills test and all of the testers are women, so it helps the moms to have a woman asking them questions for practice.

The tester came yesterday braving the icy snowy morning. We only got three tested because the first two took a long time, which is always a good sign. It means they are talking more. I held back my highest level student from testing.

Part of being a teacher is being in tune with who my students are as people.

My highest level student is a shy woman with a very gentle spirit and having a bad start to the day affects her. If the morning is a good one, she amazes me with how much she has learned and how well she communicates. When the morning is a rough one like yesterday, she withdraws more into herself. Yesterday she came a little late due to the conditions and I could see right away when she came into class that it was a difficult morning for her. So I held her back from testing.

Today we will have Kelly the Instructional Technology Coach in the school come and help the moms with computer use. So far this year they have started email accounts, learned how to use google translate to help their kids practice spelling at home, and much more. The moms always love their time with Kelly.

Tomorrow will be our day to go to the school library for the moms to check out books to take home and read with their  kids. The moms love going to the library because they can see Shari who is the school librarian. Shari is so friendly and kind with the moms.  Library days are special for the moms.

The moms are the reason I get out of bed on cold winter mornings and a big motivation for me to pray in the morning. I know their life stories and needs, so I start my day off by praying for them and their families.

Just a glimpse into my mornings with 20 moms.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.