This talk does not need any explanation from me. Teachers, enjoy!
Rita Pierson: Every Kid Needs a Champion

Your First "Nightly Commission" Assignment of 2015-2016

Students, please click the link below and read the article before our next class meeting. Read all four pages (14-17). There will be an assessment over the material. If you make a comment on the blog regarding this article, you will receive extra credit. #chaneyland #GOALdiggers #WeAreFrenship

Ten Things You Need to Know About China

The First Week of School

As I prepare to wind down the first week of school, I find myself reflecting on the teen-aged souls that have walked through my classroom door all week. Each and every one of them is amazing, unique, talented, beautiful, and, for lack of a better word, fun! I am thrilled about this school year. God is working in me in ways that I never knew were possible (1 Peter 3:1, "Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words."). I hope so! This sixteenth year of my career appears to be a golden one! Happy Fri-Yay--tomorrow!

The First Day of School, 2015

I am quite excited for this school year to begin--giddy, actually! It won't be much longer until I finally get to meet my seniors and my freshmen this morning. Let's see what God has in store for us over the next nine months.

My Scripture today is from 1 Peter 3:12, "The eyes of the Lord are over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers."

Father, my prayer for this school year is that I will be the salt and the light in my students' eyes. May everything that I say and do, while in the presence of these children, bring You glory and honor. I pray that I will not lose sight of this mission that you have commissioned me to, for your children are the greatest gift to the world, and I get the privilege of being part of their lives. When difficulty comes my way, please help me to remember that the children who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving of ways. I ask for Your divine patience, wisdom, and love to help see a child as well as myself through those difficult moments.

Please bless Frenship High School and everyone who is part of it, Father. It is in Jesus's name that I pray, AMEN.

Let's do this!

#WeAreFrenship

The Hiatus Is Over!

I have decided to truly give blogging a try--in my classroom--with my students! Let's see how this goes. Stay tuned...

The Dash, Part II

It's been almost two years since I've posted a blog. Today, I read my last blog, which was titled "The Dash." I was surprised at just how powerful that blog is. After reflecting upon where my mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional states were two years go, I'm excited to report this morning that I've been living that blog--family first, take care of myself, and stick close to God--I can proudly attest that my life is great! Actually, it's beyond great! I've never been better! 

I can testify that my change of heart, thinking, attitude, spirit, friendships, health, and lifestyle have improved 100% after challenging myself to "live the dash" two years ago. 

Ironically, I'm sitting in staff development at this very moment listening to Dr. Saenz speak about The Power of a Teacher.  Saenz is touching on all of the points that my blogs from both two years ago and this blog that I'm currently writing discuss about living the dash: taking control of life and living it better, basically. 

I have to go now because I can't think well nor write well while listening to a presenter, but this felt good--writing down my thoughts and reflecting on how I'm trying to live better. Now, it's time to get back to the dash! 

Until next time, live your dash! 

The Dash

Last night while watching "The Middle" I was struck by a profound statement made by one of the characters, Mike. He was speaking to a group after his brother's wedding about family. He mentioned that on our tombstones, we will all have a birth date listed below our names.What was so striking though is that he said it is the dash that comes after that birth date and before the second date (death) that means so much. The dash represents life and what we do with it.

This gutted me because for so long I have allowed other things to take me away from the most important element in my life, and that is my family. I felt like I owed more to others than I did to my family. I gave more of myself to them (the others) rather than to my family. My family deserves better, and they will get it.

I pledge to myself, my son, my husband, and the rest of my family that beginning this summer, Thursday, May 24, 2012, you come first, as you should have before. 

When I am no longer on this earth, may my dash represent my time and my contributions to my family.