Christmas at the Middle School

Life with middle schoolers is never dull!  I love the students who fill the halls of BFA Middle School.  Their energy amazes me - especially just before Christmas break!  Last Friday we had a Secret Santa gift exchange before our closing chapel.  Here are some shots that attempt to capture the pre-Christmas excitement!

I miss seeing these smiling faces each day!  For now, I think we're all grateful for the break from the normal routine to spend time with family and friends and be refreshed.  See you in 2015, BFA MS!

Month at a Glance: December

December 1:  "The Gathering" Young Adults shared meal
December 4-7:  Experience Christmas markets in Heidelberg and Cologne
December 10:  Lead literacy professional development for elementary school staff
December 11:  Christmas market in Kandern
December 12:  Middle School Christmas Party and closing chapel at high school
December 13:  Christmas break begins!
December 15:  Fly to the States
December 20-23:  Family reunion in Newtown
December 24:  Christmas Eve services at Grace Point
December 25:  Merry Christmas!
December 29:  Fly back to Germany
December 31:  New Year's Eve fireworks in Kandern

Five Years of Thankful

Last night marked the fifth and final annual Thanksgiving celebration with friends here in Kandern.  Brittany and I have so enjoyed the tradition of hosting each year.  I am deeply thankful for the different people God has brought to our table over the past five years.  In this transient place, I don't take for granted the many individuals that the Lord has provided to encourage and shape me in this season.  Our shared meal marks a moment in a year-round posture of gratitude.  What a wonderful opportunity to fix our eyes on Him, the giver of all good gifts!

I'm thankful for roommates who have also embraced our calling to open our home to others.

I'm thankful for friends who join me in sincere celebration.

I'm thankful for student teachers, whose short months at BFA impacted me significantly.

I'm thankful for countless supporters, whose prayer and sacrifice have made it possible for me to continue to serve at BFA for five years.

I'm thankful for my piano, which I've been able to play for worship each year.

I'm thankful for candle light, which sets the mood for meaningful conversation.

I'm thankful for cooler weather, so that we can store food outside while we await the delivery of our new refrigerator.

I'm thankful for Scripture, which reminds us of all that we have to be thankful for and leads us in giving thanks to our Maker.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving this year!

Although I'm not sure who will be around the table with me next year (or who will continue this tradition here in Kandern!), one thing I do know: There will always be so much to be thankful for!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen."  (Ephesians 3:20-21)

What's a Literacy Coach?

This school year, in addition to teaching sixth grade English, I have also taken on the role of Middle Level Literacy Coach.  So, what does that mean?  I have a much lighter teaching schedule this year so that I can accomplish literacy-related projects (like the ones described below) and work on curriculum development.  I also love the flexibility to invest more in people - mentoring teachers at the middle school, meeting with other BFA English teachers and our Curriculum Coordinator, connecting with friends to cultivate community here, and spending time with my mentor.

 Benchmark Assessments:

One by one, I'm meeting with each middle school student for a benchmark assessment conference. Students read part of a text aloud while I take notes.  Then, they finish the text independently and we have a conversation about what they read.  The assessment allows me to determine a "benchmark" reading level (based on the Fountas and Pinnell leveling system) which we can use as a guide for reading instruction.  More than that, talking with a student about their reading provides me with invaluable data about student strengths and weaknesses in reading, which will help us to provide individualized instruction to help meet their needs.  It is so interesting to see how each benchmark assessment is different - a great reminder of the uniqueness of our students.

VOICES Writing Instruction:

We are again using the Six Traits of Writing to guide writing instruction this year.  My fellow English teacher, Katie, and I are introducing these strategies to our students and encouraging them to implement the Six Traits into their own writing.  Katie and I had the opportunity to attend a Six Traits conference in Switzerland last month, which was a great springboard for new ideas for writing across the curriculum.

Resources:

This is the shelf above my desk.  Besides just loving the sight of a stack of good books (I'm a nerd!), I am grateful for these resources right at my fingertips.  Some of these books were gifts from friends this summer or resources included in the Literacy Coach training I attended in July, so I am still doing my own reading and reflection as part of my new role this year.

Building a Book Room:

This is still a work in progress...  As we incorporate more small-group literature study, there is a need for multiple copies of various types of texts on different reading levels.  I am developing this cabinet of book sets as a resource for the English teachers to be able to do more differentiated literacy instruction.

Teaching English:

In addition to literacy coaching, I am still teaching sixth grade English.  Although it is my third year teaching this class, each year is different!  This year, I am trying a number of new things (from Pinterest, a summer conference, and friends' suggestions) and am blessed with a class of students who are eager to learn.  

One of the new lessons to kick off the school year was a week-long genre study, which culminated in a book sort.  Students worked in small groups to determine the genre for each book in our classroom library, labeling each cover with a sticky note.

I love the way our book boxes turned out!  For the most part, the students labeled the books correctly, but some will need to be reevaluated.  As the sixth graders read books from our library over the course of the year, they will be able to verify the current genre identification or submit it to me for revision.  We're off to a great start in 6th grade English!

'Tis the Season...

... for another Operation Christmas Child collection!  Each year that I've been at BFA, I have been involved in this project - and each year it grows a little bit bigger!  It has been a true joy to see middle schoolers lead this project and the whole school (all three campuses!) work together to share God's love through the tangible gift of a shoebox.  This year, a number of high school small groups wrapped shoeboxes, and many families helped to collect boxes and purchase items.

Middle schoolers trained to be "box checkers" doing their thing at the Packing Party!

Enthusiastic Christmas spirit!

I got to check some boxes, too!

Waiting in line to have their boxes checked!

Elementary, middle, and high school students - along with their parents and teachers - packed 116 shoeboxes this year!  

This sweet lady, Gerdi, collects shoebox items year-round and has turned her home into a local collection center!  This month, a Weihnachten im Schuhkarton truck will pick up over 600 shoeboxes from her house!  It has been a blessing to partner with Gerdi while planning the Packing Party for the past three years.

Who knows where I'll be at this time next year, but I'm sure that I'll be packing shoeboxes again... and  I hope that BFA will continue this tradition of generosity in years to come!

Month at a Glance: November

November 1:  TeachBeyond Games Night
November 5:  Operation Christmas Child collection ends
November 6-8:  School musical performances
November 10:  Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
November 14:  Middle school class parties
November 21-23:  Trip to London (visiting one of my small group girls!)
November 25:  Spaetjahrsmarkt (market in town)
November 29:  Celebrate Thanksgiving with friends

Walking Together

During my time at Grove City College, the importance of "pouring in and pouring out" was really impressed upon me.  As I served through various ministries, it was important for me to also surround myself with others who would invest in me.  Community was and is a huge value of mine.  In college, I developed close friendships, found accountability in a discipleship group, and served as a leader of our campus women's ministry.  I knew I wanted to carry with me the "pouring in and pouring out" model beyond the GCC bubble.

Over the past four years of living here in Germany, the Lord has provided countless opportunities for me to serve, as well as many people who have poured into me professionally and personally.  In the midst of my "pouring out" through my teaching and small group leading, God brought others into my life to listen to me, accept me, and care for me through my transition into life overseas.  I'm so grateful for my mentor and her sweet family, who have helped me to feel like I belong in this "home away from home."

Lately, I've been sensing that God wants to do something bigger in deepening relationships among women.  And so "Walking Together" was born, with the purpose of connecting women in this community.  It's been His vision all along, and I am glad to be a part of it!

Last weekend, over sixty women joined this conversation about building intentional relationships.  Some came hesitant and curious, while others were whole-heartedly committed.  But regardless of our expectations for the evening, I think we all resonated with the desire to go deeper - with God and with others.  It was a beautiful evening!  With giveaways and games, coffee and conversations, women were able to catch up with friends and meet people they'd never met before.  Our hope is that women in this community will continue to connect and go deeper as they "walk together" in the direction of the cross.

It seems like last weekend's event was a climax from my vantage point, but I have a feeling that this is only the beginning!  God's big-picture plan amazes me.  I can't wait to hear more stories of how He continues to knit hearts together through the gift of mentoring!

* * *

Before the event began, we moved furniture, set tables, and prepped the room for the event.  Isn't this venue amazing?  It was fun to work together with the planning team to create a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere.  So many of you joined us in covering this event in prayer - Holy Spirit, You are welcome here.

Laurie led us in an activity to spark conversation with people who share similar interests.

Of course, there were yummy desserts to eat with our coffee and tea!

I was humbled to share my story and my heart for mentorship - truly, His story and His heart for women to connect.

These are some of the ladies who have gotten on board with this vision!  But it's so much bigger than us.  Who knows where we'll go from here?  Only God!

Truth is harder than a lie

The dark seems safer than the light 

And everyone has a heart that loves to hide

I'm a mess and so are you

We've built walls nobody can get through

Yea, it may be hard, but the best thing we could ever do

Bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine

'Cause love can heal what hurt divides

And mercy's waiting on the other side

If we're honest

[Francesca Battistelli // If We're Honest]

Month at a Glance: October

October 2:  Operation Christmas Child kickoff at elementary school
October 3:  No school (German Reunification Day)
October 4-5:  Local art festival
October 7:  Skype with GCC students interested in TeachBeyond
October 17:  Middle School Fall Party
October 18:  Mentoring Event
October 21:  Six Traits of Writing Seminar in Baden, Switzerland
October 26:  Daylight Savings Time in Germany
October 31:  Herbstmesse (Fall Festival in Basel) and End of First Quarter

A "Normal Day"

I've been waiting to write this blog post until the perfect "typical day" comes and goes, in hopes that I can share all of the facets of life with you, my faithful blog-readers.  As if there is a normal day around here!

My days regularly consist of teaching English 6 and our new study skills class, LINK.  Besides that, I can be found...
...reading and replying to sixth grade Reading Response Journal entries.
...playing the piano and singing with the middle school chapel band.
...talking with my German landlord in the backyard.
...watching movies with friends.
...visiting the elementary school campus to borrow books from their library.
...attending local German festivals and soaking in the "lasts" of this season.
...chauffeuring a student out to school who missed the bus.  (This happened this morning!)
...helping with occasional middle school events after school.
...sharing southern Germany with visiting friends.
...buying groceries and making meals to share with friends.
...driving friends around. (Out to eat at a restaurant, airport pickups, to and from school, you name it!)
...conducting benchmark reading assessments for all middle school students.  (I'll tell you more about my Literacy Coach role in another blog!)
...discussing curriculum with the other middle school English teacher.
...scouring Pinterest for new ideas to try in my classroom.
...writing postcards and assembling packages to send to family and friends back in America.
...meeting with women in the community to talk about promoting mentoring relationships.  (More on this coming soon!)

So, although there isn't a "normal day" to recount, I'm grateful for the many opportunities God has given me already this year to invest in people and continue to be a part of the BFA community!

A special visit from Aunt Carol on Saturday!

Kandern Pottery Market

Shared meal with friends

Month at a Glance: September

September 1:  New student orientation
September 2:  Opening ceremony, first day of school, and my roommate's birthday!
September 3:  First full day of school and Benchmark Assessment training session (I'm leading!)
September 4:  Helping with musical auditions
September 5:  Middle School Chillin' (outdoor games after school)
September 6-7:  Budenfest (a town festival with great food!)
September 15-19:  Spiritual Emphasis Week
September 20-21:  Kandern Pottery Market 

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the beginning of the lasts... but thankfully, I've been so busy and the days have been so full that there hasn't even been time to think about that!  I have a feeling that's pretty much how this whole year will go... So I appreciate your prayers to enjoy and cherish the moments as they fly by!

Here's to the 2014-15 school year!

Not Enough Time

I had a pretty productive afternoon today.  I arranged the classroom furniture, reorganized a storage cabinet, hung posters on the walls, prepared student journals, and pondered course curriculum.  After a late dinner this evening, I persevered through final changes to my course syllabus.  It was the most productive day I've had so far in this getting-ready-for-school process.  You'd think that, by my fifth first day of school, I'd feel a little bit more prepared to meet my new students and launch into a new year of learning.

I thought so, too.

For some reason, I find myself scrambling, hoping that somehow the loose ends will be pulled together in time.  Don't get me wrong, I am very excited to welcome the new sixth graders into my English classroom and embrace my new role as Literacy Coach!  It's just that I wish I could have more time to reflect, discuss, and plan.

I know I'm not alone.  Many of my conversations with colleagues this morning affirmed that the school year is coming too quickly for us to complete all that we set out to accomplish.

Yet, in these chaotic moments, I hear God's whispers of truth.  There are always lessons to be learned amidst challenge, so I'm choosing to keep my eyes open so I don't miss them.

There will never be enough time.  For the high-standard, want-it-to-be-perfect type like me, there will always be something else to add to make it better.  I could have three more weeks instead of three more days, and I'd find a way to fill each waking hour.  I must learn to use my time wisely and then rest in the end result.  It might not be perfect, but it's the best that I can offer.  And I offer it with arms outstretched, fully acknowledging my weaknesses, giving my very self as a living sacrifice.  Lord, may I continue to humbly rely on You, my sovereign Provider.

I must choose to make enough time for what matters.  It would be easy to say that there is simply not enough time to do anything else right now but get ready for school.  This would be more than a missed opportunity; it would be a mistaken priority.  I spent time yesterday preparing for and leading a worship team rehearsal.  This weekend, I'll celebrate my roommate's 25th birthday and honor Sunday as my weekly Sabbath.  Neither of these fits nicely into my schedule, but I wouldn't think of missing these moments.  Father, continue to guide my perspective so that my choices reflect Your heart.

So, I'm choosing to let go of having all the bulletin boards finished and all the books on the shelves.  My Pinterest boards will have to wait.  Instead, I'll spend time considering how to promote community in our school, readying myself to reteach routines, and praying for my students.  I want to enter this week - my last first week of school at BFA, at least for now - with an eternal perspective and eyes that see what really matters.  It's all for Him.  I can't ever afford to forget that.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

A New Perspective on Transition

For the past two summers, I have coordinated the TeachBeyond orientation program for the middle and high schoolers to prepare them for the transition of moving to a new country and making new friends.  My co-teacher Katie and I loved these two week-long experiences of seeing the world through the eyes of a group of pre-MKs!  These times together revealed uncertainty and trust, curiosity and enthusiasm.

This week I had the opportunity to witness transition from the "other side."  I spent each morning this week with eleven middle and high schoolers whose parents are new to BFA staff.  These students are coming from the USA, Canada, Honduras, and Russia, so they have quite a wide range of cultural experiences.  Again, we connected over games, role-playing, and conversations about culture shock, expectations, and trusting God.  This time, our sessions were specifically geared toward life in Germany - small-town customs, BFA lingo, and understanding German.  We had a lot of fun and (hopefully!) learned a lot!

Several other adults joined us for our daily "snack time" to share about different opportunities for students to get involved in community life - music, athletics, small groups, dance, school musical...

Several of our activities this week involved returning students, including a tour of the high school campus.

It was great seeing the returners and new students building friendships already!

 Practicing BFA lingo with a crossword puzzle!

Welcome to BFA!

Month at a Glance: August

August 3:  Worship at Restoration Church
August 4:  Depart for Germany
August 5:  Arrive back in Germany
August 7:  Pick up two new staff at the airport
August 11-15:  New staff orientation (planning middle/high school program)
August 18:  All Staff Conference begins
August 31:  New dorm students arrive

And there will be a lot more to do in between!  I have a lot of responsibilities this month - from welcoming new staff and teens to preparing for my new job as literacy coach - so there will be plenty to keep me busy between now and the first day of school on September 2!  I appreciate your prayers as I travel back and get ready for my fifth year at BFA.  Thanks for a great summer!

Two Weeks and Many Miles

To Boston and Back.
As many of you know, I will be taking on a new role as Middle School Literacy Coach at BFA in addition to teaching English 6 again this year.  I'm excited for the opportunity to build our literacy program, work directly with students and staff, and continue to grow professionally... but also a little bit overwhelmed at the thought of all that entails!  I was SO glad to get to spend a week at Lesley University in Massachusetts studying about literacy coaching with some of the nation's top reading researchers.  I left the conference feeling much more equipped to do my job this year.

It was also great to connect with other literacy coaches and administrators from the Boston area, as well as various other locations further away.  I had my first real experience with attempting to share about Black Forest Academy and TeachBeyond without using buzzwords like "ministry," "God's leading," and "support raising."  As it came up in conversation, the other educators at the conference were baffled at the thought that an entire school could operate without paying any of its employees.  Beyond the obvious (yet unspoken) question of why I would choose a job like this, they wondered why anyone would give money for me to teach overseas.  I attempted to explain the concept of shared vision and generosity, finding it nearly impossible to convey God's supernatural work through an earthly lens.  I pray that they saw something different in me as we interacted - that the comparison would not come down to salary and continent, but to salvation and calling.

Westward Bound.
On Sunday I braved several severe thunderstorms to travel to the west side of the state for a visit with friends.  Although slowed a bit by the effects of a lingering cold, I was so grateful for the "many miles" covered in meaningful conversations with college staff and a mini reunion with friends.  I was again reminded of God's goodness during my time at Grove City and how He continues to bless me through the relationships formed while there!

On my return trip (in contrastingly beautiful weather!), I had a God-arranged visit with Jin, who was in my BFA high school small group for freshman and sophomore years.  For the past two years, Jin has been living with her parents in Hawaii (they serve there with YWAM), and she just so happens to be spending a few weeks in PA on her way up to NYU, where she will begin her freshman year of college this fall!  What a blessing to hear how the Lord has been working in her life since she left BFA and how to pray for the next steps ahead.

Many Miles Ahead!
It's hard to believe that I am heading back to Germany on Monday night!  As with every back and forth, I'll say a bittersweet goodbye to this place and the people I love so much - in order to say hello to another place and people I love.  Perhaps this year holds more hesitancy and even more bittersweetness than others as I consider what lies ahead.  LASTS.  Lots of them.  This year is my "last" year at BFA, at least for now, as I will be returning to the States indefinitely next summer.  There are plenty of new things that lie ahead for this school year - new staff and friends, new mentoring ministry, new job, new students, new curriculum.  I would appreciate your prayers for intentionality and focus this year as I embrace these new things and endeavor to "end well."  It's all for His glory!

BINGO!

Couldn't make it to the Bingo Night earlier this month?  This blog post is for you (although you won't have a chance at winning any German candy)!

B is for…
… Black Forest Academy.
… Blauen dorm.
… Bible investigative research project.
… Boston literacy conference next week.
… Brother-sister time this summer.
… Big changes ahead for the middle school.

I is for…
… International community.
… Investing in chapel band.
… Interns from JBU that I'll be hosting next year.
… Intentional relationships through mentoring.

N is for…
… New apartment.
… New teaching methods.
… Next year's new class.
… Night of prayer for high schoolers.
… New TeachBeyond members and BFA staff.
… What's next?!

G is for… 

… German.

… Geography 7.

… Global conference for TeachBeyond.

… Graduation for my small group girls.

… Goodbyes.

… Grad school potentially beginning after this year.

O is for… 

… Opportunity to host a student teacher.

… Outer Space fall party.

… Operation Christmas Child.

… Organizing Experiential Learning Week for 6th grade.

… Orientation for TeachBeyond youth this summer.

Please join me in prayer for the coming year...

Beginning a New Job:  Please pray for creativity and wisdom as I transition into the role of Middle School Literacy Coach.

Intentional Relationships:  Pray that God would continue to clarify the vision for promoting mentorship in the community.

New Staff:  Pray that the new staff will be fully supported in time for school and that I will be an encouragement to them in the transition.

Guidance for Next Steps:  Pray that I would sense the Lord's leading for whatever comes next after BFA.

Other Opportunities:  Pray that I would be aware of other ways that I can serve and grow in the coming year.