So, I just finished up one long term teaching position at a junior high last week and already started a new long term position at a High School! (Hence, my posting hiatus) Things couldn't have worked out more perfectly. I feel so blessed to be working this much and actually be teaching instead of subbing day to day. I love doing the long term thing because then I really get a chance to get to know the kids. My last project before I left the junior high was grading 7th grade memoir papers. I can't tell you how much I enjoy being around this age. Sometimes, yes, they are too squirrely for their own good, but that is what makes my job so humorous. The following are excerpts from their memoir papers that are definitely too great to not share with the rest of the world. Welcome to the creative minds of 7th graders..lol..I love them..
* * * * * * *
Since the age of six, I have been playing basketball. It has been there for me throughout childhood and I've been there for it.
We hang out a lot, and when we don't hang out of course what are we doing, TEXTING.
I always thought broccoli would taste horrible. I thought it had the same taste as a pickle covered with ketchup, at least, that's what I thought. Now I know it's just a regular vegetable that tastes delicious!
You're probably wondering how and when did we meat.
I smelt the crisp, green grass.
When I heard my grandma passed away my heart rumpled just like a dead leaf, it still is an no one can change that.
Suddenly, our white door yelled loudly. Glimpsing outside the window, I observed a UPS man with a package between his hands.
The intense smell of hamburgers filled the air.
On the day before the due date, I felt regret. I saw fear everywhere. I smelled the bad smell of book pages. I tasted my saliva. I heard pages turning. I was reading almost the whole book on that day.
As you can see, predestination is not a very good choice. - What??? lol. I'm pretty sure that was supposed to be procrastination...
I could hear the heartbeat in my ears.
RED LOBSTER stuck to my mind like sand on glue.
* * * * * * * * *
You gotta love the innocence in their wriitng..lol.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Students Say the Darndest Things..
I've been compiling this list for quite sometime know. Sometimes I wish I could write all these down as soon as they happen. My list would be MUCH longer if that was the case. Students say/ask so many interesting things throughout the day, and sometimes their personalities overwhelm me. But, these are the people that inspire me. They inspire me to be a better person and work harder than the day before. So without further ado, my first installment of "Students say the darndest things.."
7th Grade boy during spirit week (one day during spirit week was dedicated to dressing up as something you want to be when you grow up) - "Miss Mainero, can I bring my puppet to class tomorrow? I'm planning on being a puppeteer when I grow up." Me - "Well...(trying not to laugh) No, you are going to have to leave your puppet in your locker."
7th Grade boy while subbing - "If you lived in Florida or Hawaii, do you think you would invest in solar panels on your house so you could be more enviromentally friendly?" Same coversation a few minutes later.."Miss Mainero, in all reality trying to be eco-friendly is sometimes less cost efficient, but would you invest in a Chevy Volt or would you stick with the car you have now?".."How much do you spend in gas per week?"
9th Grade girl during long term subbing - "Miss Mainero, what do you think about grannie panties?" - I'm pretty sure my face on this one was priceless..I put a stop to that one real quick..
7th Grade boy during long term subbing - "Miss Mainero, you have very shiny hair! Do you use conditioner? Does it smell like strawberries or coconuts?" - Me - "Thank you?.." uhhhhh....
7th Grade boy during long term subbing -"Miss Mainero, do you text?" -Me: "What kind of question is that? Go sit down.." lol..
Lol. I should get an Oscar for the amount of times I keep a straight face because I have become one great actress!..
7th Grade boy during spirit week (one day during spirit week was dedicated to dressing up as something you want to be when you grow up) - "Miss Mainero, can I bring my puppet to class tomorrow? I'm planning on being a puppeteer when I grow up." Me - "Well...(trying not to laugh) No, you are going to have to leave your puppet in your locker."
7th Grade boy while subbing - "If you lived in Florida or Hawaii, do you think you would invest in solar panels on your house so you could be more enviromentally friendly?" Same coversation a few minutes later.."Miss Mainero, in all reality trying to be eco-friendly is sometimes less cost efficient, but would you invest in a Chevy Volt or would you stick with the car you have now?".."How much do you spend in gas per week?"
9th Grade girl during long term subbing - "Miss Mainero, what do you think about grannie panties?" - I'm pretty sure my face on this one was priceless..I put a stop to that one real quick..
7th Grade boy during long term subbing - "Miss Mainero, you have very shiny hair! Do you use conditioner? Does it smell like strawberries or coconuts?" - Me - "Thank you?.." uhhhhh....
7th Grade boy during long term subbing -"Miss Mainero, do you text?" -Me: "What kind of question is that? Go sit down.." lol..
Lol. I should get an Oscar for the amount of times I keep a straight face because I have become one great actress!..
Monday, February 7, 2011
Exhausting Monday
Today. Was. Exhausting.
Today was one of those days that started out with a nice clean desk, all organized and situated. Pens were put away, books were neatly stacked - then suddenly BAM! Lunch came and went and my desk looked like a tsunami hit - papers flying everywhere, pens, markers, sticky notes scattered about - with checklists and reminders strewn about. I couldn't recover until after 3:01pm when all the students stampeded out of my classroom (in full volume, mind you), racing to their lockers to catch the bus ride home.
When I came home, I had blue fingertips from those "washable" overhead project markers. Washable..I think not. What "washable" really means is that you need to go take a bath and soak off that soluble ink because your day was just way too crazy. And ya know what? I'm fine with that. It means I put a hard days work and I literally got my hands dirty while endlessly tiring over my students. And I say that's pretty good!
But after all that, I had a great inspirational moment in one of my classes that was precious beyond words. A moment that made my tsunami hit desk and marker blue fingertips all worthwhile. During today's silent reading time, I sat at my desk reading along with my students. (That's one thing that I love, setting a good example and reading right a long with them - especially when they inquire about the book I'm reading to see if I like it or not.) Towards the end of reading time, I began scanning the rows of chairs to see which students had properly brought all their materials to class and were on-task reading as well as the students who weren't prepared at all. When I came across a sweet girl named Rachel, tucked away in the back of her row. She's the kind of student that teachers wish to have a million of. As she read her novel, her facial expression was priceless. Plastered on her face was a grin from ear to ear. I quickly scanned all the rest of the students to make sure everyone was prepared, then my gaze went right back to her. Suddenly she clasped one hand over her mouth still smiling - trying to contain her laughter and utter disbelief from whatever was happening in her book.
I'll never forget that precious sight. I couldn't help but smile for the remainder of silent reading time as I engulfed myself back into my own book. I'm going to have to ask her how she likes her book tomorrow.
Did I mention, I love my job?
Now..about getting that marker off my fingers...
Today was one of those days that started out with a nice clean desk, all organized and situated. Pens were put away, books were neatly stacked - then suddenly BAM! Lunch came and went and my desk looked like a tsunami hit - papers flying everywhere, pens, markers, sticky notes scattered about - with checklists and reminders strewn about. I couldn't recover until after 3:01pm when all the students stampeded out of my classroom (in full volume, mind you), racing to their lockers to catch the bus ride home.
When I came home, I had blue fingertips from those "washable" overhead project markers. Washable..I think not. What "washable" really means is that you need to go take a bath and soak off that soluble ink because your day was just way too crazy. And ya know what? I'm fine with that. It means I put a hard days work and I literally got my hands dirty while endlessly tiring over my students. And I say that's pretty good!
But after all that, I had a great inspirational moment in one of my classes that was precious beyond words. A moment that made my tsunami hit desk and marker blue fingertips all worthwhile. During today's silent reading time, I sat at my desk reading along with my students. (That's one thing that I love, setting a good example and reading right a long with them - especially when they inquire about the book I'm reading to see if I like it or not.) Towards the end of reading time, I began scanning the rows of chairs to see which students had properly brought all their materials to class and were on-task reading as well as the students who weren't prepared at all. When I came across a sweet girl named Rachel, tucked away in the back of her row. She's the kind of student that teachers wish to have a million of. As she read her novel, her facial expression was priceless. Plastered on her face was a grin from ear to ear. I quickly scanned all the rest of the students to make sure everyone was prepared, then my gaze went right back to her. Suddenly she clasped one hand over her mouth still smiling - trying to contain her laughter and utter disbelief from whatever was happening in her book.
I'll never forget that precious sight. I couldn't help but smile for the remainder of silent reading time as I engulfed myself back into my own book. I'm going to have to ask her how she likes her book tomorrow.
Did I mention, I love my job?
Now..about getting that marker off my fingers...
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The Big Fat Jerk
Alright, let's talk the real deal. Real life (sometimes scary) straight-up attacks from the enemy. I mean the worst enemy anyone could ever imagine because he plays the trump card off of your deepest and darkest fears. Sometimes I think he knows my heart just as well as God does and can (and has) steer me right down the wrong path so quickly until suddenly I'm sitting at the bottom of a valley. You know who I'm referring to. I almost want to go Harry Potter style and call him "the one who shall not be named" because really he does not even deserve the breath I'm about to give him in this post. I've gone back and forth on whether or not to write about this subject matter, but then I remembered that it's okay that I acknowledge that he's there because it's real life. And if I don't acknowledge that he's there than I'm probably subject to even more trouble. Satan knows he's a big fat jerk. And will never be the king of my heart.
Only Christ has the power to sustain me. I live and breath by this verse, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." - 1 John 4:4
Ever since my last break-up, I've been left to deal with a lot of internal questions. Such as, "Am I a good enough person?" or "Am I complete?" All of which, I think are usually pretty valid after a break-up - it seems to just come with the territory. I find myself looking for the verses that reassure me that I am. Most days I do believe it. Thankfully, today is one of those days. :)
But, Sunday (so very fitting, Satan). Sunday was not one of those days. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it always seems to happen like this..Saturday night, just before I went to bed, I had a great God-moment experience. I felt great after studying my Bible all comfy in my nice warm bed. I had just finished the book of James and thoroughly enjoyed the words God was speaking to me. So, I had a really, true, honest, whole-hearted one-on-one conversation with God about being made whole in Him. I even smiled as I went to bed feeling a sense of relief as if a weight had been lifted off of my chest.
Then, Sunday morning came. I sat in Bible class, which I always enjoy when about halfway through I felt as though my skin was crawling. I have no better words than describe it as just that. I felt uncomfortable inside and out. My heart felt heavy. I didn't want anyone near me, even hugging people that I knew and love dearly became painful. Slowly, evil thoughts began seeping into my brain one by one. Then it came time for service. All the thoughts continued to pound down on me, telling me I'm a lost cause, I'll never be whole, I'll always be incomplete. They continued on repeat through every worship song (esp. my favs), through every prayer, and on into the sermon, until it felt like I was spiraling down a staircase unable to climb back up to the top. I was getting choked up with every song - which hadn't happened in a long time. And the kicker - I was even dreading communion, thinking to myself, I can't participate in Christ's flesh and blood, because I am not worthy! I am not worthy!..the voices shouted and shouted at me as I stood up and dragged myself up to the table. I felt so out of place because everyone around me seemed so happy and there I was stewing in my own filthy grief. I was starting to hyperventilate. Very hesitantly, I reached down for the "bread and the wine" trying my best (without crying) to think about Jesus' death and resurrection for poor little ol' me. And suddenly. It stopped.
I was tricked! I was duped! I was fooled into believing all these down-right lies going on in my head all trying their hardest to oppress me. Satan knows my weaknesses. He knows what I fear. And suddenly, when I took the bread and the cup and was reminded just how much God loved me and how even though I felt unworthy, and then these words came instead - I am good enough because the Great I AM said so.
As I walked back to my spot in the pew, I realized how disillusioned I had become in a matter of a little under an hour. All because of that big fat jerk better known as Satan. Now I can say, I'm definitely going to be on the look out. Stay behind me, Satan. You don't have a foothold over me anymore.
James 4:7-8 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you."
Only Christ has the power to sustain me. I live and breath by this verse, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." - 1 John 4:4
Ever since my last break-up, I've been left to deal with a lot of internal questions. Such as, "Am I a good enough person?" or "Am I complete?" All of which, I think are usually pretty valid after a break-up - it seems to just come with the territory. I find myself looking for the verses that reassure me that I am. Most days I do believe it. Thankfully, today is one of those days. :)
But, Sunday (so very fitting, Satan). Sunday was not one of those days. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it always seems to happen like this..Saturday night, just before I went to bed, I had a great God-moment experience. I felt great after studying my Bible all comfy in my nice warm bed. I had just finished the book of James and thoroughly enjoyed the words God was speaking to me. So, I had a really, true, honest, whole-hearted one-on-one conversation with God about being made whole in Him. I even smiled as I went to bed feeling a sense of relief as if a weight had been lifted off of my chest.
Then, Sunday morning came. I sat in Bible class, which I always enjoy when about halfway through I felt as though my skin was crawling. I have no better words than describe it as just that. I felt uncomfortable inside and out. My heart felt heavy. I didn't want anyone near me, even hugging people that I knew and love dearly became painful. Slowly, evil thoughts began seeping into my brain one by one. Then it came time for service. All the thoughts continued to pound down on me, telling me I'm a lost cause, I'll never be whole, I'll always be incomplete. They continued on repeat through every worship song (esp. my favs), through every prayer, and on into the sermon, until it felt like I was spiraling down a staircase unable to climb back up to the top. I was getting choked up with every song - which hadn't happened in a long time. And the kicker - I was even dreading communion, thinking to myself, I can't participate in Christ's flesh and blood, because I am not worthy! I am not worthy!..the voices shouted and shouted at me as I stood up and dragged myself up to the table. I felt so out of place because everyone around me seemed so happy and there I was stewing in my own filthy grief. I was starting to hyperventilate. Very hesitantly, I reached down for the "bread and the wine" trying my best (without crying) to think about Jesus' death and resurrection for poor little ol' me. And suddenly. It stopped.
I was tricked! I was duped! I was fooled into believing all these down-right lies going on in my head all trying their hardest to oppress me. Satan knows my weaknesses. He knows what I fear. And suddenly, when I took the bread and the cup and was reminded just how much God loved me and how even though I felt unworthy, and then these words came instead - I am good enough because the Great I AM said so.
As I walked back to my spot in the pew, I realized how disillusioned I had become in a matter of a little under an hour. All because of that big fat jerk better known as Satan. Now I can say, I'm definitely going to be on the look out. Stay behind me, Satan. You don't have a foothold over me anymore.
James 4:7-8 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you."
Monday, January 24, 2011
Silly Heart
Dear Heart,
Remember last year when you were so attached to the idea of doing whatever you wanted? Do you remember how miserable that was? Spending hours upon hours worrying and agonizing and thinking that if you just thought of one more scenario to "ease" your mind it would justify your actions and allow you to go on with the rest of your day..except for the fact that you really couldn't go on the rest of the day because the idea of being selfish and stubborn was so consuming it took over? Do you remember trying to have conversations with people who really did mean well, but their advice was turned into..it's okay you can do whatever you want - you're just "figuring" things out. That was the way you spent year twenty-three, consumed in doing whatever you wanted. In all reality, you were desperately trying to get closer to the One who made you (you know, the One that knows every hair on your head)..but instead you just didn't really want to put in the work.
Well heart, you made it past twenty-three and it's safe to say you are putting in the work. And I've never been more proud. Dearest heart, you have sailed into twenty-four having learned that it is way easier to feel, think, and breath when you are beating side by side with the same Loving Heart that made you feel, think, and breath.
with love,
Your silly, (always-trying-to-get-ahead-of-herself) Daughter of the King heart
* * * * *
There is one conversation that I will hold dear with a woman I was able to grow closer to at a camp back in August. And her kind words came truest from her beautiful heart - a heart I knew was walking and beating side by side with the one who made her. While swapping life stories, she encouraged me that all twenty-something year olds have a lot of "figuring" out to do. Even more so when you get done with college. Everything seems to get harder, futures start to get blurrier, but she reassured that it wasn't uncommon to feel out of sorts when you are twenty-something. And that's how my dear heart felt for a long time. My heart couldn't hold a genuine smile because deep down inside, it wasn't truly me. But now, I feel like my heart smiles so pure it bubbles over and out into every part of me.
January 16th was my twenty-fourth birthday and I was able to spend it with two of the truest friends a girl could ask for. These girls are beautiful inside and out and sometimes I think they know my silly heart better than I do. Amy and Sara inspire me to be a better person everyday whether they like to believe that or not. They exhibit more patience and elegance in situations that they go through that I could hardly dream of having. These girls have beautiful hearts and I am so proud to know them and call them my best friends! I am so happy I was able to spend an entire weekend with them in honor of my birthday. I grew just in that weekend of talking with them - even if we did just sit around in our pajamas and watch an entire season of Grey's Anatomy. I cherish these girls with all my heart.
* * * * *
So dear heart,
I can't wait to see what unfolds in twenty-four. I can't wait to hear the next whisper, feel the next nudge, and see the next big thing from the One who made you. Now, you are beating the same beat and breathing the same breath as the greater Loving Heart..and it's a whole lot easier.
Remember last year when you were so attached to the idea of doing whatever you wanted? Do you remember how miserable that was? Spending hours upon hours worrying and agonizing and thinking that if you just thought of one more scenario to "ease" your mind it would justify your actions and allow you to go on with the rest of your day..except for the fact that you really couldn't go on the rest of the day because the idea of being selfish and stubborn was so consuming it took over? Do you remember trying to have conversations with people who really did mean well, but their advice was turned into..it's okay you can do whatever you want - you're just "figuring" things out. That was the way you spent year twenty-three, consumed in doing whatever you wanted. In all reality, you were desperately trying to get closer to the One who made you (you know, the One that knows every hair on your head)..but instead you just didn't really want to put in the work.
Well heart, you made it past twenty-three and it's safe to say you are putting in the work. And I've never been more proud. Dearest heart, you have sailed into twenty-four having learned that it is way easier to feel, think, and breath when you are beating side by side with the same Loving Heart that made you feel, think, and breath.
with love,
Your silly, (always-trying-to-get-ahead-of-herself) Daughter of the King heart
* * * * *
There is one conversation that I will hold dear with a woman I was able to grow closer to at a camp back in August. And her kind words came truest from her beautiful heart - a heart I knew was walking and beating side by side with the one who made her. While swapping life stories, she encouraged me that all twenty-something year olds have a lot of "figuring" out to do. Even more so when you get done with college. Everything seems to get harder, futures start to get blurrier, but she reassured that it wasn't uncommon to feel out of sorts when you are twenty-something. And that's how my dear heart felt for a long time. My heart couldn't hold a genuine smile because deep down inside, it wasn't truly me. But now, I feel like my heart smiles so pure it bubbles over and out into every part of me.
January 16th was my twenty-fourth birthday and I was able to spend it with two of the truest friends a girl could ask for. These girls are beautiful inside and out and sometimes I think they know my silly heart better than I do. Amy and Sara inspire me to be a better person everyday whether they like to believe that or not. They exhibit more patience and elegance in situations that they go through that I could hardly dream of having. These girls have beautiful hearts and I am so proud to know them and call them my best friends! I am so happy I was able to spend an entire weekend with them in honor of my birthday. I grew just in that weekend of talking with them - even if we did just sit around in our pajamas and watch an entire season of Grey's Anatomy. I cherish these girls with all my heart.
 |
| Sara, Amy, & Me! |
* * * * *
So dear heart,
I can't wait to see what unfolds in twenty-four. I can't wait to hear the next whisper, feel the next nudge, and see the next big thing from the One who made you. Now, you are beating the same beat and breathing the same breath as the greater Loving Heart..and it's a whole lot easier.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Words for the Day...
I'm feeling a little bit anxious and exhausted today..could it be that I survived my first week back of teaching 7th graders? Probably so..
Here are some things that I say all too often throughout the day, for my own comic relief I wanted to write them all down in one blog post just to see what would happen.. and now I know I'm a broken record..
Stay in your seat..That's your warning..Why aren't you prepared?..Do not touch each other..Stay out of my doorway!..Where's your novel?..See me after class..Come with me..Don't tap your pencil..Don't click your pen..That's your point..You owe me a minute after class..If you KNOW what to do, then you WILL do it..How can you change your behavior?..Stay in your seat..Stay in your seat..No one is leaving this class unless you are in YOUR OWN seat..If I see that again, it's mine..Put that away..I need your focus and attention..SERIOUSLY? You did not just do that..We are going to fight and I am going to win..Stop playing the drums..No stampeding toward the doorway..You are one step away from a phone call home..Be patient..Raise your hand..Be polite..BACK AWAY from the projector!..Spit out your gum..Throw that away..You just lost another point and you owe me two minutes..
But between all those "see me afters" and "that's your warning," and probably my personal favorite..SERIOUSLY?? It's time for a classroom chat..I get to say these kinds of things things, too, which somehow makes it all worth it..
You are AWESOME!..Thank you for being a blessing to me today! Your writing is fantastic! Keep going!..You are doing it!..PERFECT!..I'm giving you a bonus point..You are all getting a class cupcake point! (For my 7th grade cupcake challenge)..Just a little bit more and you've got it!..Now, this is creative!..All my classes are my favorite classes..What's going on with you? How was your weekend?..Good Morning!..Let's get started!..You can do this..I have FAITH in you!..Good Afternoon!..You are going to rock this out! I just know it..Who has something to say? Let me hear it!..Thank you for being good listeners..I need a volunteer..How are you today?..I'm going to help you..What do you think? You are going to be an expert after today! Have a good weekend!..What can I do to help you get better at this?
If you can't tell, I absolutely love my job. And I absolutely love 7th grade. I am so blessed that I am able to help out with a few friends' maternity leaves, so I can teach in a normal classroom and work with the same silly kids every day - and boy do I have some silly ones, haha! Going into this profession I never imagined just how much those kids would touch my life each and everyday - to have 30 some faces counting on me everyday is a challenge that I do not take lightly. But, it is worth every stitch of effort to hear what those kids have to say. God sure did steer me in the right direction.
So, after very little sleep and a lot of preparation..I survived my first week!
Here are some things that I say all too often throughout the day, for my own comic relief I wanted to write them all down in one blog post just to see what would happen.. and now I know I'm a broken record..
Stay in your seat..That's your warning..Why aren't you prepared?..Do not touch each other..Stay out of my doorway!..Where's your novel?..See me after class..Come with me..Don't tap your pencil..Don't click your pen..That's your point..You owe me a minute after class..If you KNOW what to do, then you WILL do it..How can you change your behavior?..Stay in your seat..Stay in your seat..No one is leaving this class unless you are in YOUR OWN seat..If I see that again, it's mine..Put that away..I need your focus and attention..SERIOUSLY? You did not just do that..We are going to fight and I am going to win..Stop playing the drums..No stampeding toward the doorway..You are one step away from a phone call home..Be patient..Raise your hand..Be polite..BACK AWAY from the projector!..Spit out your gum..Throw that away..You just lost another point and you owe me two minutes..
But between all those "see me afters" and "that's your warning," and probably my personal favorite..SERIOUSLY?? It's time for a classroom chat..I get to say these kinds of things things, too, which somehow makes it all worth it..
You are AWESOME!..Thank you for being a blessing to me today! Your writing is fantastic! Keep going!..You are doing it!..PERFECT!..I'm giving you a bonus point..You are all getting a class cupcake point! (For my 7th grade cupcake challenge)..Just a little bit more and you've got it!..Now, this is creative!..All my classes are my favorite classes..What's going on with you? How was your weekend?..Good Morning!..Let's get started!..You can do this..I have FAITH in you!..Good Afternoon!..You are going to rock this out! I just know it..Who has something to say? Let me hear it!..Thank you for being good listeners..I need a volunteer..How are you today?..I'm going to help you..What do you think? You are going to be an expert after today! Have a good weekend!..What can I do to help you get better at this?
If you can't tell, I absolutely love my job. And I absolutely love 7th grade. I am so blessed that I am able to help out with a few friends' maternity leaves, so I can teach in a normal classroom and work with the same silly kids every day - and boy do I have some silly ones, haha! Going into this profession I never imagined just how much those kids would touch my life each and everyday - to have 30 some faces counting on me everyday is a challenge that I do not take lightly. But, it is worth every stitch of effort to hear what those kids have to say. God sure did steer me in the right direction.
So, after very little sleep and a lot of preparation..I survived my first week!
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