From the Top Down. And by Top... I mean Christ.

I teach in a Title 1 School.  I teach in a Focus Title 1 School.  The demographics of my school are difficult and often sad.  Title 1 refers to a school that is high poverty.  Focus schools are high poverty schools that rank in the bottom 15%.  You can go to this awesome pdf file to read about it if you want more information!
http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/superintendent/release/priority-focus-and-model-faq.pdf

I have not taught anywhere else, but I certainly did not attend a Title 1 Focus school as a child.  Regardless, I love my job.  I wake up in the morning and struggle inside myself, asking questions like "Am I pushing them too hard?"  "Am I compassionate enough?"  I recently was told to be careful with my language when referring to my class. I had an epiphany about their behavior and realized they were defiantly choosing to be lazy and not work hard.  So I began battling their work ethic skills, rather than their academics.  It is frustrating to see them understand what to do, and then defiantly choose to fidget, play, fiddle, distract and otherwise not try to do anything at all.

I started thinking, these kids are too young an age group for me.  Second grade is too young.  I'm too sarcastic.  I'm too hard on them.  And then I met with my principal.  She said something that changed my heart.  As we were discussing her plan for next year she revealed that she wants to keep me on staff for next year, if I like teaching here.  I assured her that I do love it, that this is where I am meant to be.  She laughed and said that although sometimes she wonders why, she knows that God put her here at our school for three reasons.  Her daughter.  Her son.  And our School.

I realized... this woman just said God.  She just said that God has a purpose for her being here.  Last spring, I prayed and prayed to be placed in the right place, the right school, the right job, with the right principal!  And His blessings just keep raining down!

It's true.  I am right where I need to be.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Mathew 25:40