If you watch this...prepare to smile :-)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

An earnest prayer for today...

"O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy, that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Tired and worn out...

I am tired, I have a headache and it is mid quarter in Citrus County. We are half way thought this quarter...1/8 of the way though this school year. I am finding it difficult to not be discouraged by things this year. It seems the load of expectations keeps getting greater and greater. I don't understand work for the sake of work. It seems some of the admin. want us to do things because it will make them look good not because it will help us as teachers or help the sudents or any combination of the two. The FCAT score has become the goal...the prize. One administrator in particular seems to be trying to make sure others take the blame for things they set into motion. The 9th grade academy seems to be a dismal failure at my school, other places make it work. Ours caters to the students and isn't helping them adjust to high school. Next year, as 10th graders, they will expect the same treatment...and so on and so on. Are we helping them or hurting them.
I want to be where God wants me to be. I know He never promised us an easy life and that challenges are a natural part of the walk BUT I feel so overwhelmed right now. This English class is a daily struggle. I try to find the joy and there are kids in the class I think I could like but 37 kids is just too many. So many are Failing the class because they just aren't doing the work!
I feel so overwhelmed by the whole thing. Why??? Why this? Why now??