Since we've returned from winter break, I feel like it's been a drowning pool of data analysis and a river of review and reteach. The state testing thunderstorm is rolling in. Can you tell that we're studying the water cycle? However, I've been able to spend more time on each student in a focused and individualized way to prepare for the STAAR. Yes, I differentiate and plan for every child all year long, but when we spend more time in small groups and teaching and reteaching one-on-one, we get to know our children's strengths and weaknesses better. Looking at the positives, right?
Because of the upcoming tests, we must be fearless! We have to teach and not be afraid of the test. We can't be afraid of our students' scores. We can't be afraid of the late nights and the stress and the overwhelming anxiety that sets in come test day (for us and for the students). The most perfect example of fearlessness that I can relate to occurred last Saturday when I attended some former students' basketball game. Their team has only played together for about a year and a half, and several of them have only been in the country for just a few years. These boys are some of the sweetest and most thankful students you'll ever meet. They are positive and hilarious and fearless. One of the team's newest players, we will call him NR, seemed a little worn out and in need of a water break. He was keeping up with his teammates and doing a great job on defense, when suddenly, the ball was in his hands and he was at half court about to be surrounded by three of the other team's players. He looked around waiting for someone to get open, he looked at the basket, and then he shot. Fearlessly. It was one of those "arms behind your head, shoot it as hard as you can and pray that it makes it in" shots. It seemed like 2 minutes passed while we waited for the connection. Then, swoosh. The crowd went wild! His teammates shared in his joy as he jumped up and down wearing the largest, proudest, and most surprised smile ever.
NR had no idea if his shot would make it or not, but he went for it anyway. He didn't plan for the shot, he didn't train for hours from that exact spot about how to connect ball to basket, and he didn't waver or toss the ball to a teammate. He mustered up all confidence he had and fearlessly, bravely went for it.
"Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.”
-Isaiah 12:2
Just like NR, we have to ignore the haters on the other team and the voices in our head. We have to remember that God is our strength and our defense. He's on our team! When the going gets tough and that one student just doesn't get it or that data sheet seems to grow and grow, we have to trust in Him. Pray to Him. Look for Him. Listen to Him. He is our salvation, not the test scores or the evaluation comments. Instead of teaching fearfully in front of our students and letting them see how overwhelmed we might be, why not let them know about Jesus from our actions, our words, our devotion, and our fearlessness. We can do this. It's just a test.
Through Faith in Him and the Fifth,
Meg