Resilient kids realize their full potential.  They have dreams and aspirations and go for them with full force.  They believe in themselves, and others believe in them.  I guess you can say these are the easy kids to teach.
However, some kids genuinely want to do the right thing, but do not know how.  These are my more difficult kids, my whole class.  They will often wind up in trouble all the time until they learn.  They need someone in their lives to encourage and believe in them; to speak the truth in love to their very being.  They need someone to show them the way. This is the majority of kids in today’s public schools.  This is why I am motivated as I strive to be the best teacher I can be.  I want to reach the kids I teach where they are at and help take them to where they aspire to be.  Sometimes I wonder how the heck I am doing this, but every day I do the best that I can and learn so that somehow and in some way I will reach them.  This is the frustrating, yet honest part of teaching but in reality, it is why I became a teacher.

When these kids realize their dreams, there is no stopping them.  They will accomplish more than they could ever have possibly imagined.  I have both types of kids in my sixth grade class this year, both have so much potential, and I need to pray for them daily because they need it so much.  They are also found in all elementary, junior high schools, and high schools from San Diego to Kerman and beyond.  They can do anything they want to do when someone believes in them.  They will live their dreams one day.

I pray I can do my part as a teacher.  What else can I do, LORD, when they do not listen to me?  What do I do when I plan and contrive and pray without seeing the results, when all I see is chaos?  I won’t give up, but LORD, what else can I do?  I will do anything, I will stop at no cost because these kids are worth it.  How do they not see that I care?  How do they not feel it?  How can I make them see and feel the love I truly have for them and yet not let them get away with mischief at the same time?  What can I do, LORD?  Help me to keep going, keep running the race and not give up.  I need you, you will make it happen.  You do all things through me.  You will be with me.  You strengthen and help me, you uphold me with your righteous right hand.  Help me reach them where they are at.  Thank you for this opportunity LORD.  Thank you for your favor and for giving me everyday to make an impact.  Help me not to just be looking forward to the next break like everyone generally does.  Give me more focus, I need it.  I need to persevere.  Help me to reach them, reach them through me, LORD; with you I will be victorious.  You are my all in all.  I love you.  Amen.