Me: I will not use markers.
Them: I will not use markers.
Me: Will you use markers on this paper?
Them (with the same expression): Will you use markers on this paper?
Ya gotta laugh, but it does make you think.
A parent once came to conferences and said, "I know just what kind of teacher you even without ever being in your classroom." I looked up at him unsure of what to say and he continued. "My daughter plays school in the basement and she's the teacher and the teacher is you."
Do you know how scary that is? You probably do, because as parents you know that children are imitators of what they see in us. I hear my students using expressions that I use. I see them sit on my chair and pretend to be me. I see them in chapel trying to imitate the way I cross my legs or hold my hands. I even notice that when we are singing and doing motions if I scratch my neck they do too, without missing a beat.
It's pretty humbling. It really makes you think about what kind of an example I am to them. They keep us all on our toes. The following passage has been used as a sermon topic for pastors and elders in the past, but I think that it can be applied to all of us. Pray that we can all be good examples to those that follow us.
1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am
also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of
the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking
the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre,
but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but
being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Other things heard this week:
Me: Did you know that the Bible talks about ants?
Student: I know! Thou shalt not kill ants!
Mr. Matt Kuiper: Are you looking for your bus? Which one is it?
Kindergartener: I'm not sure. It's a yellow one.
Me after taking her to her bus: Does this look like your bus driver?
Kindergartener: Yeah, she looks like that sometimes...
Me: What song shall we sing?
Kindergartener: Bat man is blest who fearing God.
While talking about letter sounds a kindergartner told me that his name has a silent ow (r) at the end. I responded, "A lot of words have silent r's in kindergarten..." didn't have the heart to correct him.