Shepherding a Child's Heart

My desire is not just to work on the outward behavior of my students, but to care about the issues of their heart.  In elementary, we use the book Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp to help guide us as we seek to disciple and bring our students closer to Jesus.  I have been applying what I have been learning to help one of my students in particular.  The biblical principles in his book have helped mold my philosophy when I talk through situations with all of my students, but there is one situation where it has been really helpful.

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a had tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.  People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."   Luke 6:43-45

As I mentioned in my last blog, I have a student who is dealing with anger issues, violent behavior, and avoidance of work.  These are the outward signs of behavior that I am seeing and have been trying to manage these situations all year.  Lately, the behaviors have increased in quantity and frequency.  These issues are also coming from some family situations that she is having (feeling loved and accepted is part of the issue).  My special education background has been really helpful, allowing me to find some tools that will help teach my student how to handle the issues that are in her heart.

"But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean."  Matthew 15:18

With the help of the 3rd Grade Team, there are some things we are implementing to help shepherd her heart.  The first is teaching her what to do with emotions when she feels SO angry at something that seems so little or insignificant.  I have talked with her about examples of when we might get angry at someone but what they did really didn't hurt us.  For instance, my little sister used to jump out from around the corner and scare me when we were kids.  This made me jump out of my skin and become so scared that I would get mad at her.  Due to my reactions, it made her want to do it even more.  My mom finally told me that if I could control my reaction that she would stop.  I also realized that I was getting mad at my sister for something that really wasn't hurting me.  After explaining this example to my student, she agreed that there were times where she would get angry over something so little.  We now have a thermometer in our room.  She can point to the thermometer when she starts to feel angry.  Then, she needs to evaluate whether the situation is a BIG deal or something small that she can actually handle by showing me a thumbs up or a thumbs down.  I will then respond with how I see the situation.  This will help shepherd her heart to realize the emotions that are so strong in her heart and how she can perceive them.

Also, we are adding in a social story to help her learn about anger.  I used these kind of stories when working with autistic children.  Using pictures and talking through social situations when they are NOT happening will help the child with processing the emotions and how to handle them.  I wrote a social story dealing with anger, adding in key points like how we feel or act when we are angry and how Jesus came to help us with these issues of the heart.  This story will be in her reading folder as a fluency story she can practice reading everyday.  Every child has story that they are practicing, so this is a way for her to read about anger and practice reading!

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."  Proverbs 4:23

Last, I am starting to have a special lunch with her once a week so that I am building in some positive attention time and relationship building time.  I am hoping that this will give her the attention that she is seeking and will again help in shepherding her heart toward Christ.  When I suggested this to my student, she was so excited that we had our first lunch date that same day :-)  Later that day when she left for the weekend, she came over and gave me a REALLY BIG HUG and said, "Miss Bergmann, I am really going to miss you!."  This just humbled me to my knees and made me so grateful for the work God is doing to help this little girl.

Prayers/Praises:
I am hoping to make a decision for next year by the end of March.  Please continue praying for me as I decide.  I am seeking discernment on what I want verses what God wants, and where those desires and passions match up :-)

We will be inaugurating the use of our 3rd Floor this coming Monday!  Everyone has been working really hard to get things ready for the classrooms to be used.  We are all so thankful to God for this blessing and provision.


For the sake of the gospel,
Carrie

Teachable Moments

I want to share with you some moments I have had recently with my students.  My favorite part of teaching is when something happens and you can teach them about Jesus and the gospel right there in that moment that God gave you.  With teaching, there is not always time to be able and talk one-on-one with students when these things happen.  God has graciously poured opportunities and a sense of availability these past few weeks to really talk with some of my precious students.

  1. I have been praying over a student all year who is struggling with friendships and learning how his past behavior has affected how his friends view him today.  There are areas of unforgiveness that have continued since kindergarten!  One day this past week, this student said a bad word in spanish when describing a soccer player and a few of his friends heard the word.  While he did not know what is meant, the student said that they did know it was a bad word.  We talked about what Jesus thinks about saying bad words and how we wants us to use our mouths that He created.  At first, this student seemed scared and did not want to admit that he really wanted to say it.  After encouraging him that we ALL have things we want to do but that may not be the best choices, he admitted that it was fun to say the word.  When he finally admitted that, I reminded him that that is exactly why we need Jesus!  God calls us to say encouraging things with our mouths because out of the heart the mouth speaks.  But, he sent us Jesus because he knows that our hearts are incapable of this without Him.  I could see the hope rush back into his face and we prayed and asked Jesus for forgiveness. What a teachable moment from God!

Here are some pictures of our Model Ear Science Projects!

2. Teaching my kids about realizing how they are treating each other when playing soccer has been a challenge.  Sometimes they get so upset when they play because someone kicked them or pushed them and they think it is on purpose.  They love to play jokes, but sometimes their jokes go to far and actually hurt another person without them meaning to.  God has provided many opportunities these past few weeks to talk with my kids during their Spanish class time so that we can talk through situations that happen when they are playing outside at recess.  I know God will use these individual conversations to bear fruit in their lives!

3. Getting to translate for 2 students who do not understand Spanish during our Health Classes with the school nurse was quite the challenge.  Translating is hard enough, but to do it SIMULTANEOUSLY while the nurse was speaking was even harder.  The students and I laughed as I tried to keep up and explain directions to them.  It was a great way for me to let my students see me using Spanish.  Everyday they are studying in a language that is not their first language and I sometimes forget how hard that can be.  We require them to speak in English while at school, but that seems like an impossible mission to some of my students.  The whole class smiled and seemed so grateful to hear their teacher translating and speaking Spanish.  What a teachable moment to make them loved and accepted for who God made them to be and be proud of the language God gave them.

4. I have one student from Korea who just started studying in English at ECA last year.  She has grown so much in her English and is such a joy to have in class.  Her personality is coming out as she is much more able to express herself with her new language.  During ECA Spirit Week, we had International Day where every class chose a country to dress as and celebrate that day.  I just had to choose Korea!!  My student had so much fun sharing about her culture and country with her friends.  She brought in many things to show them from Korea - dresses, silk clothes, masks, a mosquito/bug net, books, and a special Korean treat for everyone.  When she read a page in her book in Korean, my class sat so still just listening to her gentle voice read a language that they did not even know.  They all wanted her to keep on reading!  What a special opportunity to bring friends together and to understand each other more.  I am just so thankful to Jesus for the teachable moments of connecting with friends and the importance of learning about them and also celebrating our differences.

5. I have one student who has struggled with anger.  She has been laid on my heart heavily this week.  While her outward behavior has shown aggressive and power/control, I know there are deeper issues going on in her heart, partially related to her family situation.  While she has struggled this week (and have felt a heavier burden to do what I can to help her!!), I have also seen moments of what a sweet girl she is and the qualities of God that inside of her.  Being able to encourage her and tell her these qualities is helping me build a positive relationship with her.  My hope is in God alone to work in this little girls' heart.  

I was drawn to God's word where it talks about Jesus being the Good Shepherd in John 10 as I processed these situations and many more.  My desire is to cling to the Good Shepherd to help me guide and mold these young hearts for Jesus.  I take comfort in knowing that while my words or actions may not be perfect as I respond to them, my desire is to lay their burdens at the feet of Jesus and just watch him work :-)

"I am the good shepherd.  I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as they Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.  I must bring them also.  They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.  The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again.  No one takes if from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  "      John 10:14-18  

Prayers/Praises
One of my students who has been struggling with wanting to wear her new glasses in front of her friends overcame her fear and started wearing them!  Thank you to all who prayed for her.

Joseph Michael Russell

Praise for the birth of my 3rd nephew, Joseph Michael Russell, born on Sunday, February 15, 2015!!  I can't wait until I can hold him :-)  My sister and all of her family are doing well.  Joshie and Sammy are so excited to have their new little brother.

Please continue to pray for my decision for next year and all of the factors that I need to be considering.  May God make it clear for me of what next year holds :-)

Construction on the 3rd floor is almost finished and we should be able to start using the new rooms by the end of this month.  Praise God!!

Please keep praying for the work God is doing in my students' hearts.  Some of them are struggling with family situations, feelings and emotions, and their behavior.  God is bigger than what they are struggling with.  Pray for patience and guidance as I shepherd their precious hearts for Jesus.


For the sake of the gospel,
Carrie