5 Signs You’re Burning Out

This is an updated re-post of an original article from October 2012. 

It’s mid-November, and you can already feel it: The fist of anxiety squeezing your mid-section into jelly.

How to Teach Your “Prodigal” Students

A man had two sons.

The younger demanded his share of the estate, took it with a sneer, and departed to a distant country where he squandered it in reckless living.

The Private School Gospel?

Private school teachers have it easy, don’t they?

After all, their students are generally wealthy, motivated, from an educated background? Right?

I’m about to find out.

The Real Hunger Games

Update (02-21-2015): Shin Dong-hyuk has admitted to altering aspects of his story due to the pain of retelling them. This does not minimize the brutality of North Korea’s gulag system, but it would not be fair to tell this story without including Shin’s admission. You can read about it here.

I read an incredible book yesterday.

A young hero lives in an enclosed compound, killing vermin to survive. Armed guards dispense beatings and murder without any check against their abusive authority. Far away, an elitist and scheming Capitol issues propaganda filled with fear and hate, brain-washing its oppressed people.

The Meaning of Adversity

What does it mean?

All year long you’ve taught them, coached them, and disciplined them. You’ve given patient reminders and made phone calls home. You’ve forgiven and trusted.

And they still misbehave just like before. It’s as if nothing has changed. Did you even make a dent?

What does it mean?

What Are We Really Teaching Them?

Do your students cheat?

Do they copy one another’s work and pass it off as their own?

Naw….naw…. Never!

If your students are anything like mine (sinners), then you probably struggle with cheating. And while this behavior is entirely theirs, perhaps there are ways we can teach them to make the right decision more often — and for the right reasons.

Perfect Teaching in the Imperfect Classroom

Have you ever lost someone?

Two days ago, Ronnie withdrew from school. A charismatic young man who calls me “dawg”, Ronnie had the marks of a man hiding in the skin of a nervous, approval-seeking little boy. So I invested in him, patiently pursuing him with questions and challenges that might bring that man out for awhile.

But Ronnie got caught with weed on campus. Arrested. Jailed. He came back, but only for a few days.

Now he’s gone.

The Myth of the Silent Night

Silent Night, Holy Night

It’s my favorite Christmas hymn. I usually sing it with a candle in my hand and tears on my cheeks.

But is it true?

049. The 100 Words I’ve Refused to Write

Letters from far away….

Two years ago, in mid-December 2010, my wife and I adopted a World Vision child.

His name is Sifiso. He lives in Swaziland, a forgotten land-locked nation in southern Africa. The country is ravaged by AIDS and poverty. He likes to play soccer and do well in school.

In the 24 months since adopting Sifiso, I have made sure that 24 monthly payments have made it to World Vision. We have opened at least 5 letters from him including pictures, adorable drawings, prayers, and hand-written notes. I’ve even set an alert on my phone for 5am – “Pray for Sifiso”.

Yet, in 24 months, I have written him nothing.

048. What To Do With Your Doubt

Photo Credit: Pam Brophy

We’re really good at laughing.

“Don’t worry – things will get better.”

Ha. LOL. ROFL.

We don’t even try to be that positive, most of the time.

“Maybe the politicians won’t screw up education this time around.”

“You think the kids will be better next year?”

Snort. Guffaw. Hardy-har har.

To survive the onslaught of disappointment, teachers build a cynical wall that laughs at hope and belief. There’s no room for such childishness in such a crushing field of work.

Or is there?

Sadly, we are missing a great opportunity for ourselves as teachers and believers. We are denying ourselves the chance to believe.