Idol Generation

So for those of you that don't know....I am a teacher. A brandnewstillfeellikebabymyselfandsometimesgetfunnylooksbecausepeoplethinkimastudent teacher. I don't know what happened between may (Belmont graduation) and august (good morning students my name is Miss Wells)...but my life has taken a HUGE swirve into grown-up land. The Music Education program at Belmont was absolutely amazing, don't get me wrong. It was what ignited the passion in me to teach in the first place. But I've realized that all of the observations and case studies and interviews and education classes in the world can NEVER fully prepare you for your first year of teaching. It's one of those things you have to learn by doing...and when you have an hour on the clock, and a room full of 20 seventh graders staring at you....it's sink or swim.

Things that I've learned so far (12 weeks of experience and counting)...

1. You must specify everything. Tell a middle schooler to sit down, and they will sit on the floor. Tell them to sit in a chair, and they will sit on the highest stacked chair in the corner of the room. Your commands must be iron-clad....something like, "Bob...in 3 seconds I want you to be seated in this chair with your feet on the floor and facing my direction."

2. Kids want to hate you more than they actually do. Get them to crack a smile...and you're in the club.

3. Kids know alot. More than they are given credit for.

4. My degree entitles me to alot more than a paycheck. People actually trust me to educate their children. AND I get to spend more time with their kids than they do. Crazy.

5. There will never....EVER be a dull day in middle school.

ANYWAYS... the whole reason I even began this post is this: Talent show 2009. We just had auditions tonight, and I was a judge! I can't tell you how weird it is to sit on the judging side of the audition table. I have spent the last 10 years of my life being on the OTHER side. Knees shaking, clearing my throat, trying to remember the words, looking into the judges' eyes for any hint of affirmation. And there I was....seeing myself in every shaky, breathless, vulnerable little body. I tried my absolute best to shine the light of Jesus out of my face during every audition. I wanted them to know that I thought they were wonderful. That they were talented. Mostly, that they were loved. And no joke...I am beginning to fall seriously in love with these kids. And if they get anything from me at all...I hope, I really hope they know that much.

Maybe its because they've grown up in the American Idol era....maybe it's because they live in Williamson County. Maybe it's because they all have vocal coaches and their parents have gold records hanging in the hall. All I know is, these kids are GOOOD. The amount of talent they possess at 12, 13, and 14 is unreal to me. Way ahead of me at that age, anyway. And still...they are kids. They are in such need of me...and my "good job."

Thank you God for providing me with a job that blesses and fulfills. I am amazed at what you are doing in and through these kids, and that you allow me to be a part of it. I love you Lord and praise you for them! Do incredible things this year in me, these kids, my fellow teachers, and Page middle as a whole. I love you so much! Amen.