God bless the teachers

Today I volunteered at the schools for a little while. It was interesting.

K had snack today so I needed to take it for her. Also I decided that maybe letting them all sleep a little later on Thursdays might be a good idea after being out to church on Wednesday nights. So I let them sleep at least 45 minutes later than usual and drove them to school. Since I knew I was going to drive them, I arranged to volunteer in K's room and then go over to E's school and help there also. You know, if I am going to get up at 6 and actually get showered and dressed, I need to do more than just drive 15 miles and back.

Well I don't know that I was much help to the teachers, but I was once again reminded how I never wanted to be a teacher. I never thought I would be very good at it. Any time I go to school that decision is confirmed as a good one.

The kindergartners were better than I expected. It wasn't wild or crazy or anything like that. There is one girl in the class that K calls the "mean one". This girl had to be dragged to the principals office the first week of school. She was not doing anything the teacher told her to from what K said. She even refused to walk to the office, hence the dragging. This girl was not doing her math and so I tried to help her. She said to me "Will you just go away!". Okay. No problem. But she wasn't disrupting anyone else, so I hope for the teacher's sake she is adjusting to school. I would hate to have to deal with mean little kids. I suspect there was something a little "wrong" with her though. That is mostly what I would not want to deal with. I just don't think I could take the heartbreak of it.

Last year then I went to a pre-k party I sat next to a little boy who is hard to describe. He broke my heart. He could not talk. He wore a bib and diapers. He fed himself, making the worst mess I have ever seen. I am not sure what his disability was, but it was severe. He was not given attention that I thought he needed--there was a whole classroom of other kids, I know they can't focus on him--but why was he in there? It just broke my heart. What had happened to him? Why did his parents not keep him with them? Did it help him or hurt him to be in a regular class? I know I am no one to question any of those decisions. My point is, I could hardly stand it. It broke my heart.

Today after being at K's school for an hour or so, I went to E's. 3rd grade was okay too. Love the teacher. But right before lunch something happened there to break my heart too. The class was interrupted by someone. The teacher sent the class out for a bathroom break and off to lunch a few minutes early so she could talk to one little girl alone. CPS was there to pick the girl up and take her away. She took all of her stuff out of her locker and the teacher gave her a beanie baby to take with her. The teacher said she is never coming back. The teacher was upset and heartbroken to lose the child, but she said it was definitely better for her. I have no idea why and would not dream of asking--I am sure they would not be able to tell me anyway.

But when I left I wanted to cry. I walked out to the car and prayed for that girl. I have prayed several more times since and will several more. It breaks my heart. What kind of home life did this child have? How bad could it be to be taken away so suddenly forever? It obviously needed to be done. I am glad she is out of the situation whatever it is. I pray that whatever happens to her now is all good. I pray for whoever ends up with her will love her and take good care of her. I pray that God protects that child and comforts her. No matter what it was like before, I am sure she is scared. I pray God helps her. I pray that her life gets better, that she learns to know God and love him and trust him.

How on earth do you people stand it? I know I have several people reading this who are teachers, who work in the schools. You have stories I would not want to hear. I can't stand it. It makes me want to hide under a rock with my children protected around me. I guess the only way you could stand it at all, is to hope that you are doing something to help kids or make their days a little better, or take care of them at least a little. God bless you all. I mean that. I pray God blesses you and strengthens you and uses you to help these kids. I am very glad that so many of you take on that challenge to go out there and work with, teach, and "deal with" other people's kids. Thank you!!!!