Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Golden Moment

Have you ever had a golden moment? The other day while teaching 2nd graders I got one. You see I had a group of rowdy 2nd graders who were wild and out of control. Let me tell you about my golden moment.
The teacher gave little notice for me, her substitute, because she had become ill suddenly and had to leave. She understood her lesson plans perfectly, but I had little to go by. For vocabulary she had three words written for the time slot 9:00 to 9:15. That's it. The kids continued to talk, run around the room, and ignore me. What was I going to do for 15 min.?
Suddenly I remembered the "Go For The Green" cards. Each child had four different colored cards made of construction paper.
Because I taught at a different school and learned about thses cards the day before I knew how to use them. I'm so thankful for this.
All I had to do was to say, "Austin, change your card to yellow. The rest of you, eyes on me." It became stone silent in the room. Austin soberly changed his card. The kids sat like statues as I wrote on the overhead projector the word "wilting." I then explained what it meant. Now here is my golden moment. I began showing what a wilted planted looked like using my own body. Their eyes were all glued to me and they appeared quite interested. The principal walked into the room to observe me at that moment. I didn't know who she was. The children began repeating after me "wilting. W-I-L-T-I-N-G."
We then went on to the next vocabulary word. The principal left and later told me, who she was and that I had a good grip on that class. I smiled and thanked her. I thanked God. These golden moments, as I call them are when things come together at precisely the right moment in my favor when I don't deserve it. It's GRACE. I believe God made me look good at that exact moment, for whatever reason. If she had walked in 2 minutes earlier she would have seen me at my worst. I praise God for His kindness to me. The rest of the day went just fine.

22 comments:

pam said...

God is so good. That's a brilliant system, "Go for the Green".

Gina said...

God sure orchestrates nice timing, doesn't he?
My first grader's teacher uses this exact method. Works. Like. A. Charm.
They call it "pulling a card".

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Kathi, I do believe god gave you exactly what you needed at that moment. All we have to do is ask!

And you shall do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you….
Deuteronomy 6:18 NASB

Hugs, Terrie

Heather said...

i sure wish i had substitute teachers like you when i was in school. ours were always boring and never did anything fun. it sounds like you did a great job! it doesn't matter how it started out, what matters is that you got them listening to you and learning!

A Romantic Porch said...

Oh Kathi, That is so wonderful and creative. I just LOVE it when that happens! Good for you! xo rachel

luvmy4sons said...

You sound like one awesome teacher!

Brittany said...

Sounds like God came through at the right moment! Good job getting a handle on those kids! I bet you did so great!

Love,
Brittany

Sherry said...

I have taught Middle School for 20 years....He has saved me a time or two also...LOL

Rose of Sharon said...

That's so awesome Kathi! God is so good and His grace is amazing! I'm so happy for you!

:0) Love you so much sister!

Sharon

nannykim said...

Awesome story!! I love it when God does special touches of his love.

Pearl said...

Oh Kathi, this was terrific to read... Just think, as you were "wilting" in your classroom, you actually were "blooming" before those children and God... Isn't our Father wonderful to us?! I'm just so happy that things worked out as they did, and that the rest of your day went well... God bless...

~hugs 'n prayers~

Pearl

onlymehere said...

I'm glad that God chose that particular moment to give you a Golden Moment. We tend to call them tender mercies but they're the same thing and I'm grateful that God bestows them on us from time to time.

Kelly said...

Whew! Good Job and quick thinking!!! God is good!
Have a great day~

Love,
kelly

Elena said...

That is so great! The Lord helps us in our time of trouble:)

Gramma 2 Many said...

My first grade teacher would have put me in the closet. In fact she did one time. Not for running around, but for another infraction. Fifty-six years later, I am still traumatized by it. At least you did not traumatize the little fellow.
God is amazing, and I am so glad you did have a handle on the problem before the Principle walked in.

Judy said...

God is always there in our time of need, and he was there for you that day. What an awesome teacher you are.
Hugs,
Judy

BittersweetPunkin said...

Hi Kathi! When my kids were in elementary school in Colorado their teachers used that method and it seemed to be quite effective!

So glad you had a great day!
Hugs,
Robin

Sue said...

Hi Kathi,
Just stopped by to say hello and how much I enjoyed catching up on your blog.
You did a great job handling the classroom situation,
I know the children really love you, if you deal with them as you seem to do with your own children. I really enjoy Cosby re-runs too.

Your bathroom is beautiful,We once under went a bathroom renovation,so I know what a mess it can be, but the finished product is always worth it,please enjoy. Enjoyed the Christmas pics. too.

Blessings,
Sue

Jan Parrish said...

Great job Kathi!

God gives us just what we need when we need it doesn't He?

Substitute teaching is the hardest. Sounds like you are doing a great job. Keep it up!

Cindy said...

Hey Kathi, just wanted to pop over and let you know that there is a little something for you at "Life is in the Details".

Have a blessed Friday.

Hugs,
Cindy
www.homesimplehome.blogspot.com

Linda said...

Hi Kathi, I think you must be a wonderful teacher, I know you are great mom. This golden moment came at a perfect time.
I sure had a lot of catching up to do... your bathroom re-do is wonderful...I love all the special touches. Enjoyed you New Years Eve pictures the food, especially the shrimp look delish. have a happy weekend...hugs, Linda

Yolanda said...

What an awesome story! God is so good and His grace is always timely. Right on time. ;-)

Yolanda

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