I recited Philippians 4:13 every day as I wolfed down a peanut butter sandwich and drove that six miles. I prayed continually for strength to face whatever challenges were waiting for me in that room full of thirty “alternative school eligible” juniors and seniors.
I arrived ten to fifteen minutes after they had been in the room with no supervision until I came. Only another teacher would truly recognize the significance of that fact. To add to the problem, it was located in a cafeteria converted into two huge classrooms with a short wall dividing the two—not the most ideal teaching situation in itself. To make matters worse, I had very little support from onsite administration. These students, of course recognized and took full advantage of that fact.
I tried to brighten it up with posters only to find them pulled down and scattered throughout the room when I arrived the next day. I tried leaving pens, markers, pencils, sticky notes, paper, in the desk to find them all stolen the next day. So much for a positive atmosphere!
I quickly learned to react calmly or not at all to whatever I found as I arrived each day. They may have been academically challenged but I can assure you that they were very creative in finding ways to make each and every day different in a new and stressful way!
That particular class was General Math. I quickly learned that my apprehension about being knowledgeable enough in math was the least of my problems. The only math that they were ready for was addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions and I was, in fact, very proficient in that.
Although, as you would expect, absenteeism was an issue for several of them but one student stands out very clearly in my memory. After marking him absent for several days in a row, the students informed me that he would not be back because he was caught robbing a bank in Oklahoma and was in jail. Although, it was never confirmed, I have no doubt that it was indeed true. What I do know for a fact is that he never returned.
Biblical Inspiration: Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through God who strengthens me.
Biblical Inspiration: II Corinthians 1:5 – We share in the many sufferings of Christ, In the same way much comfort comes to us through Christ.
Lesson in a Nutshell: Life isn’t always easy; even when we are in God’s will.
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