Day Five Hundred and Thirteen

The Gerber Kids

 Early Monday morning, I silenced my screaming phone. I didn't want to wake Adam. It was 5:30 AM and I needed to get ready for...work! Ok, overstatement. More like volunteer work, but work nonetheless! Channing (Mrs. Gerber) invited me to her third grade classroom and I wasn't about to be late. My midnight bedtime did me no benefit...but by the time I walked through that door, I was as awake as could be. And really happy.

 The third grade classrooms in Florida are much different than the ones I remember (vaguely) in Washington. Technology has come a long way since 1995, and Mrs. Gerber has one of the most advanced classrooms in her school. Forget the days of the standard whiteboard and Expo pens. Now, they use an interactive program that basically functions as a computer on the whiteboard. Using a special pen, the board turns into a shocking teaching tool that Mrs. Gerber said she'd be "lost" without! (She wouldn't be lost though. Channing is an incredible teacher with a gigantic heart for those sweet kids. She'd find a way to teach them in a dirt hut!)

And yes, that's Mrs. Gerber chugging down her morning coffee. Hehe. If I had to do this every day, I'd probably be drinking at least 3 of those!

I graduated with a degree in Biology. Sitting in with Channing yesterday made me realize that maybe I should have graduated with a teaching certificate too. She has such a unique place in those student's lives, and in a place where God isn't allowed to be mentioned, there's no doubt that Mrs. Gerber's light is shining bright in that classroom. In only a few hours, it was clear to me how much those kids looked up to their teacher. They love her...and it was really sweet to see. She's doing big work at that school, and I'm so thankful for the time and heart she pours into this most important job.

Little tidbits I photographed while in the classroom. I felt at such peace with Mrs. Gerber's students (I even got a hug from 2 of them). It was so incredibly easy for me to get down on their level and help in whatever way I could. One little boy told me all about a children's book he wants to publish, a little girl cried to me because she was frustrated with her math (but we figured it out!), and another little girl read to me from her chapter book about a girl who was "betrayed" by her friend when the friend stole her boyfriend (<--- yes, she's only a THIRD grader). When I left Felix Elementary yesterday, I promised I would visit again. And there's no way I'll be breaking it. I loved spending time with those kids...they grew quickly on my heart and I can't wait to go back!

Oh yes...I was officially Mrs. Conley all day yesterday! And I liked that! Every time they called my name, I couldn't help but think of the man who gave it to me! :)