You know how you can say a word so many times that it begins to seem like it's not really a word at all? Without fail, the word "change" brings to mind the song "Chain chain chaaaaiiinnnn, chain of fools," and once that got stuck in my head just now, I began to sing "chain chain chaaannnggeee," and now the word "change" doesn't even feel like a real word anymore. and that song doesn't even make sense for this post. OH WELL!
what er ya gonna do??? =]
January brought some really big changes. *typical of you, january....*
One of my new FAVORITE people moved back to the states to get mawwiieeeed. I'm SUPER excited for her, but I already miss her! I was BLESSED to get to know Leneigh Brackney and am thrilled to get to see her again in Texas! It's so great when you can meet someone and just *click.* How divine that she ended up becoming my teacher assistant in the 2nd grade classroom. Leneigh played many roles on my Thailand adventure.
I especially knew 2nd grade would live happily ever after when I found out her favorite movie is Baby Mama (insert Amy Poehler's pre-natal yoga "what what" sound) and one of her fave tv shows is NEW GIRL (disclaimer: I may not agree with everything on it, but you know what, that show is HYSTERICAL). #schmidtzie #schmidtism #schmidtbaby
#hashtagsoutsideoftwitter
#yeahso
Aside from being tons of fun, Leneigh is diligent, mature, disciplined and motivated. I learned so much from her initiative and discipline. Having her in my classroom everyday ushered in an awareness&accountability of my daily decisions within the classroom, my responses to discipline opportunities, how my character shone (or shadowed), and the thing is, she didn't say anything about any of those. I think it was Christ in her, as well as an unexpected but useful self-conciousness that grew me and shaped me further than I would've on my own. I am grateful to have had a "buddy" in the classroom who got my jokes and recognized the times that I needed help or encouragement. I'm so, so thankful for someone to change up the dynamic when we traveled, to make things feel at-home when we shared dinners or watched movies. She is a lovely, new lifelong friend who once again, when I met her in the staff room before school began, I had no idea how she would be used in my life.
Maybe someday we'll serve together again. :)
iloveit that Anthony came to visit Chiang Rai for two months before they both headed back to the states. Blessed by them, indeed!
With Leneigh's departure came some rearranging. Here we go with some oldies again: "When it's time to change, you've got to re-arraaange!"
Leneigh had been teaching the three K-6 Elementary Music classes, so I took them on. Music Education is something I've considered studying, and particularly I've had some interest in Music Therapy. I'm looking forward to exploring a) music ed. b) different grade levels c) teaching outside of regular core content. Today was my first music class....grades 4-6...quite different from my 1st and 2nd grade babes. ;)
Any advice on how to get 6th grade boys thinking that Beethoven and Schubert are cool is gladly welcomed. =]
Some elementary supervisors at school helped me spend some hours getting my schedule worked out, but we have a plan that seems to be working so far... and guess what, Leneigh, it's actually better than it was before.
Like I said way back in my very first Thailand post, change is good.
Growth
Learning
Exploration
Discovery
Understanding
FUN
APPRECIATION.
I'm expecting all-of-the-above with these new changes. I think these are reasonable, likely and attainable expectations.
Leneigh Brackney (and any of my former music teacher readers), I'll do my best to make ya proud!
Our first music class today began with the following apropos:
Psalm 95
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts....
And just one more thing for the road - Bananagrams and John Denver at Charlie's Resort
what er ya gonna do??? =]
January brought some really big changes. *typical of you, january....*
One of my new FAVORITE people moved back to the states to get mawwiieeeed. I'm SUPER excited for her, but I already miss her! I was BLESSED to get to know Leneigh Brackney and am thrilled to get to see her again in Texas! It's so great when you can meet someone and just *click.* How divine that she ended up becoming my teacher assistant in the 2nd grade classroom. Leneigh played many roles on my Thailand adventure.
I especially knew 2nd grade would live happily ever after when I found out her favorite movie is Baby Mama (insert Amy Poehler's pre-natal yoga "what what" sound) and one of her fave tv shows is NEW GIRL (disclaimer: I may not agree with everything on it, but you know what, that show is HYSTERICAL). #schmidtzie #schmidtism #schmidtbaby
#hashtagsoutsideoftwitter
#yeahso
Aside from being tons of fun, Leneigh is diligent, mature, disciplined and motivated. I learned so much from her initiative and discipline. Having her in my classroom everyday ushered in an awareness&accountability of my daily decisions within the classroom, my responses to discipline opportunities, how my character shone (or shadowed), and the thing is, she didn't say anything about any of those. I think it was Christ in her, as well as an unexpected but useful self-conciousness that grew me and shaped me further than I would've on my own. I am grateful to have had a "buddy" in the classroom who got my jokes and recognized the times that I needed help or encouragement. I'm so, so thankful for someone to change up the dynamic when we traveled, to make things feel at-home when we shared dinners or watched movies. She is a lovely, new lifelong friend who once again, when I met her in the staff room before school began, I had no idea how she would be used in my life.
Maybe someday we'll serve together again. :)
iloveit that Anthony came to visit Chiang Rai for two months before they both headed back to the states. Blessed by them, indeed!
 |
| New Year's Eve |
 |
| First trip to Chiang Mai, first tuk-tuk ride |
 |
| 2nd graders and Mustache Day |
 |
| CRICS Christmas Program |
 |
With Leneigh's departure came some rearranging. Here we go with some oldies again: "When it's time to change, you've got to re-arraaange!"
Leneigh had been teaching the three K-6 Elementary Music classes, so I took them on. Music Education is something I've considered studying, and particularly I've had some interest in Music Therapy. I'm looking forward to exploring a) music ed. b) different grade levels c) teaching outside of regular core content. Today was my first music class....grades 4-6...quite different from my 1st and 2nd grade babes. ;)
Any advice on how to get 6th grade boys thinking that Beethoven and Schubert are cool is gladly welcomed. =]
Some elementary supervisors at school helped me spend some hours getting my schedule worked out, but we have a plan that seems to be working so far... and guess what, Leneigh, it's actually better than it was before.
Like I said way back in my very first Thailand post, change is good.
Growth
Learning
Exploration
Discovery
Understanding
FUN
APPRECIATION.
I'm expecting all-of-the-above with these new changes. I think these are reasonable, likely and attainable expectations.
Leneigh Brackney (and any of my former music teacher readers), I'll do my best to make ya proud!
Our first music class today began with the following apropos:
Psalm 95
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts....
And just one more thing for the road - Bananagrams and John Denver at Charlie's Resort
October 2012
1 comment:
1. You have already made me proud!! So proud!! You are perfect for that music class and I am thrilled that those kiddos are in your very capable and gifted hands!! .. good luck with the sixth grade ... if you add candy to anything they seem to find it more interesting ;) ... but who doesn't?!
2. It was my prayer from the first moment I knew that I would be heading home that the adjustment would bring about life -giving change for you ... by means of schedule adjustment, personell switches, or teaching changes ... I will continue to pray that for you but it sounds like the Lord is already doing wonderful things in providing that healthy change and renewed energy for you!! That brings me such relief and joy!!!
3. I stinking MISS YOU! I cant believe it hasnt even been a week since seeing you. It feels like way to long already! SO excited to see you again in TX!! You continue to bless me and give me much more credit than I deserve! Love you dearly!!
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