Thoughts on being a giver...
I've always been a giver. My sister describes it as a 'save the world' mentality. I want to do for others and take care of others, no matter what the cost to myself. It's instinctual for me, so it's the only way I feel comfortable. However, it's a catch 22, b/c I also have an inherent need to have my efforts acknowledged. I wonder, does that make me a martyr? I don't want to be a martyr. I don't want to be someone who only gives to others for the accolade. On the flip side, I want to be selfless without being a doormat. So I wonder...Where, exactly, is the line drawn? I have a terrible fear of being taken advantage of and being someone's fool, to the point where it lessens my desire to give when my efforts are not reciprocated or acknowledged. However, I sometimes give at the cost of my own happiness or desires, and as a result I become resentful of those for whom I'm caring. It's so frustrating, and there is no other time than when I struggle with this vice, that I wish more wholeheartedly that I could be more like Jesus.
So that's my goal for tomorrow, to fix my eyes on Jesus, to open my heart to caring and giving selflessly and cheerfully. At the end of the day, isn't Jesus a bit of a doormat for mankind?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Teacher musings
On the subject of teaching kids to fight...
To each his own. My father taught me not to take crap, and to always stand up for what I believe. And if I'd have been a boy, he likely would have taught me how to throw a punch in case I ever needed to. However, he would have FIRST taught me to follow the appropriate steps, such as verbal communication and asking for help, before resorting to physical violence as a last resort, to be used only if all else had failed. I don't think there is anything wrong with teaching kids to stand up for themselves. I do, however, think it's wrong to teach a kid that they can whine and cry behind closed doors, never approach authority for help, and then punch somebody in the face and be patted on the back for it. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
On the subject of 'what'...
I know we here in the south are oddballs, and the only ones left in the free world who think it's necessary to use yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir and no sir. However, I would like for parents to at the very least teach their kids that the following are not appropriate responses to give the teacher, or anyone else for that matter... What? Huh? Why? Why not? Do I have to? No.
I can't count the number of times in a day I call a student's name, only to be retorted to with, "Whuut?" I'd prefer, under almost any circumstance, that when I ask a question, call a student's name, give a set of instructions, or ask for a favor, that the students would simply and to the point say, "Yes ma'am" or even just a simple "Yes" would do fine. Yes ma'am it would.
On the subject of whole class punishments, for those who are against it...
Compare it to team sports. During a football game, when there is a foul resulting from the actions of one player, the entire team is penalized with lost yards. Nobody seems to mind when they're watching the Super Bowl. Just sayin'...
To each his own. My father taught me not to take crap, and to always stand up for what I believe. And if I'd have been a boy, he likely would have taught me how to throw a punch in case I ever needed to. However, he would have FIRST taught me to follow the appropriate steps, such as verbal communication and asking for help, before resorting to physical violence as a last resort, to be used only if all else had failed. I don't think there is anything wrong with teaching kids to stand up for themselves. I do, however, think it's wrong to teach a kid that they can whine and cry behind closed doors, never approach authority for help, and then punch somebody in the face and be patted on the back for it. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
On the subject of 'what'...
I know we here in the south are oddballs, and the only ones left in the free world who think it's necessary to use yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir and no sir. However, I would like for parents to at the very least teach their kids that the following are not appropriate responses to give the teacher, or anyone else for that matter... What? Huh? Why? Why not? Do I have to? No.
I can't count the number of times in a day I call a student's name, only to be retorted to with, "Whuut?" I'd prefer, under almost any circumstance, that when I ask a question, call a student's name, give a set of instructions, or ask for a favor, that the students would simply and to the point say, "Yes ma'am" or even just a simple "Yes" would do fine. Yes ma'am it would.
On the subject of whole class punishments, for those who are against it...
Compare it to team sports. During a football game, when there is a foul resulting from the actions of one player, the entire team is penalized with lost yards. Nobody seems to mind when they're watching the Super Bowl. Just sayin'...
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