Dear Future Students

It's the beginning of the school year soon, and there are several mixed emotions. My team is changing quite a bit, and there was some real disappointment with that. Fear, anxiety, and selfishness began to settle in when I heard of the big changes. At the same time, there was hope that things could become something greater than they had been in the past.

My classroom was not a safe, happy, or enjoyable place for me last year. I worked hard to make it these things for my kids, but I left more days than not defeated, exhausted, and in tears. There were many contributing factors, and God brought me through the storm. But at the end of the storm, I was ready to throw in the towel. This is painful to say, because I believe I am a fabulous teacher that believes that children can succeed no matter the ability level, income, race, or language barrier. I believe I was made to do what I do every day. But Satan was at work last year.

As the summer ends, there's this growing knot in my stomach as I await this year. What kind of year will it be. The past few weeks have given me an unbelievable peace about what is to come.

I feel like God has carefully moved each piece into place, and I'm in awe of how his plan is always far greater than what I thought would be best. I came across this online, and I can't seem to move past the power of these words. This is my prayer for this year.

Lord,
Let me be just what they need.

If they need someone to trust, let me be trustworthy. If they need sympathy, let me sympathize. If they need love, and they do need love, let me love, in full measure.

Let me not anger easily, Lord, but let me be just. Permit my justice to be tempered in your mercy.

When I stand before them, Lord, let me look strong and good and honest and loving. And let me be as strong and good and honest and loving as I look to them.

Help me to counsel the anxious, crack the covering of the shy, temper the rambunctious with a gentle attitude.

Permit me to teach only the truth. Help me to inspire them so that learning will not cease at the classroom door.

Let the lessons they learn make their lives fruitful and happy. And, Lord, let me bring them to you. Teach them through me to love you.

Finally, permit me to learn the lessons they teach.

Amen.



Dear future nine and ten-year-olds that are assigned to Mrs. Knowles in room 206,

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:14-19

You are loved,
Mrs. Knowles