My name is Jennifer; I am a child of God, Wife, Mother and Teacher. I have the privilege of raising two beautiful children Hunter 10 ½ and Shelby 7, with my best friend and husband, Seth. I also have the great privilege of teaching 360 kids Physical Education every day. This past week I was asked by Laurie to share my “Teacher Perspective” on her blog and I was happy to oblige. The question Laurie posed was “What inspires you?” Now, the question didn’t stop there, I was asked to share pictures, phrases or people who help in this journey.
So, as I sat down to respond to Laurie’s post I found myself asking “what inspires Jennifer?” I found that different things inspire me in different places.
As I walked around my house I found that many phrases on my wall inspired
me, gave me peace and made me remember that I am not in this journey alone.
Thank you God!
The first phrase that comes to mind is “Every day is a gift from God”. The phrase seems simple enough I know, but when you get right down to it, every day you open your eyes, hug your kids, give your spouse a kiss, have a job; it is a gift from God!
So, as I sat down to respond to Laurie’s post I found myself asking “what inspires Jennifer?” I found that different things inspire me in different places.
As I walked around my house I found that many phrases on my wall inspired
me, gave me peace and made me remember that I am not in this journey alone.
Thank you God!
The first phrase that comes to mind is “Every day is a gift from God”. The phrase seems simple enough I know, but when you get right down to it, every day you open your eyes, hug your kids, give your spouse a kiss, have a job; it is a gift from God!
I also love the phrase “In Everything Give Thanks”, it is a reminder that no matter what I am going through God‘s got my back, so I need to remember to give Him the glory and praise.
Although, I would love to continue to share all the phrases that inspire me in my home life I would really love to share what inspires me at my job as a Physical Education Teacher. Before I get ahead of myself I want to leave you with a phrase that I remember hearing though-out my life “Those who can’t do, Teach”, when I was younger I never understood the ramifications behind this statement, so I simply ignored it. Now, I don’t want you to forget the phrase, but I am going to move on.
Throughout my life I have always had a heart, more like a “calling” for children, I love to make them laugh, smile, play with them, and simply make them feel appreciated. Many times the goofy demeanor I have with kids can come across confusing to adults, because they believe I should behave differently. What you may not understand is I am making a connection with the child or your child, I have established a relationship based on trust and my occasional goofiness.
When I was 21 I decided I indeed wanted to go to school to become a Teacher, which meant I was changing my major from Nursing to Teaching. But then it happened again, in my final semester of undergraduate school I realized “oh no, I don’t want to teach”. I tried to ignore the calling God had placed in my heart by finding other jobs to fill the void. Every job I had felt like a dead end leaving me empty and longing for more.
In 2010, it once again happened. I had the pulling on my heart from God telling me “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take
care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for”
Jeremiah 29:11. It was in that moment I surrendered it over to God and I told
Him I will do whatever it is you want me to do. I applied for Graduate school
and started my long journey to get my Masters in Teaching.
Do you remember the phrase “I told you”?!? “Those who can’t do, Teach”. I finally understood what the phrase meant and I was so offended by it. Let me clarify I will not go off on tangent; I believe my job is very important and I believe God designed each and every one of us for a distinct purpose. My purpose was to teach.
My Super Power is: Teacher.
Throughout my life I have always had a heart, more like a “calling” for children, I love to make them laugh, smile, play with them, and simply make them feel appreciated. Many times the goofy demeanor I have with kids can come across confusing to adults, because they believe I should behave differently. What you may not understand is I am making a connection with the child or your child, I have established a relationship based on trust and my occasional goofiness.
When I was 21 I decided I indeed wanted to go to school to become a Teacher, which meant I was changing my major from Nursing to Teaching. But then it happened again, in my final semester of undergraduate school I realized “oh no, I don’t want to teach”. I tried to ignore the calling God had placed in my heart by finding other jobs to fill the void. Every job I had felt like a dead end leaving me empty and longing for more.
In 2010, it once again happened. I had the pulling on my heart from God telling me “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take
care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for”
Jeremiah 29:11. It was in that moment I surrendered it over to God and I told
Him I will do whatever it is you want me to do. I applied for Graduate school
and started my long journey to get my Masters in Teaching.
Do you remember the phrase “I told you”?!? “Those who can’t do, Teach”. I finally understood what the phrase meant and I was so offended by it. Let me clarify I will not go off on tangent; I believe my job is very important and I believe God designed each and every one of us for a distinct purpose. My purpose was to teach.
My Super Power is: Teacher.
In my job there are no phrases or pictures that inspire me. All 360 kids I teach each and every day, rain or shine - they are what inspire me. I come to school every day excited to teach, I genuinely love what I am doing and it doesn’t feel
like a job to me. How many people can say that?
God has placed a fire in my heart for kids and it is my job, no, my responsibility to show each and every one of my
students God’s love through me. My students know I am different; I love and care for each and every one of them and I value them. I feel God gave me this fire for a reason: I am in a very unique position where I may be the only encounter some of my students have to see God’s love and grace.
What inspires me? My children inspire me, with their big smiles, warm hugs; their heart felt hellos, and their knack for noticing when I am not there and their
genuine concern. Their desire to ask me for advice and the comfort they have in sharing things with me. I am inspired each and every day I go to my job as a Physical Education Teacher.
To God be the glory, for the great things He has done!
like a job to me. How many people can say that?
God has placed a fire in my heart for kids and it is my job, no, my responsibility to show each and every one of my
students God’s love through me. My students know I am different; I love and care for each and every one of them and I value them. I feel God gave me this fire for a reason: I am in a very unique position where I may be the only encounter some of my students have to see God’s love and grace.
What inspires me? My children inspire me, with their big smiles, warm hugs; their heart felt hellos, and their knack for noticing when I am not there and their
genuine concern. Their desire to ask me for advice and the comfort they have in sharing things with me. I am inspired each and every day I go to my job as a Physical Education Teacher.
To God be the glory, for the great things He has done!
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