The Circle of Life

Yesterday I read a facebook status that reminded me of the song The Circle of Life from the movie The Lion King. The comment was referring to a beautiful baby girl, Lucy,that was born today. Her father is my childhood and lifelong friend and her mother is also a dear friend of mine. This afternoon I got the pleasure of meeting little Lucy. I know some people say that all babies are cute but I disagree. I think some babies don’t reach full cute status until they are a month or so old. But not Lucy, this baby is absolutely beautiful. She looks like a Hopson for sure but she has her moms shiny black hair and petite little lips. I am so proud for my friends and pretty impressed with new daddy Price.
Last week I was at the hospital, but for very different reasons. Daniels great aunt was in the hospital and was pretty near the end of her journey here on earth. (she has since made a tremendous recovery)
These two cases remind me that there is truly a circle of life. With every ending there is a new beginning. This year I have found that to be true in so many areas of my life. Things change and we never know what tomorrow will hold. Family, friends, jobs, health….. All things change. This has made me think – is change really so bad. If it were not for change we would still have segregated schools, women would not be voting, we wouldn’t have those handy little iPhones that so many of us simply cannot live without.
Our world is constantly changing. The circle of life will keep circling.
I’m content with that. And today I am very grateful for that circle. Little Lucy may just change the world one day.

I’m a TOY

Being recognized by your peers is a pretty awesome feeling. Today, I was named one of the two teachers of the year (TOY) at my school. We have two because of the way that the state breaks them into groups. And I am honored to share the title with Melissa Manko who teaches Special Education. She is so creative in the way she engages her students.

Being that I work in a new school and my principal got to pick her faculty, we have the most incredible group of teachers I have ever seen. Their level of commitment is amazing. Our school was named as one of the top 5% in the state last year for achievement. That right there tells you how hard our faculty and staff works. So, for this group to honor me in such a way is so humbling. I personally think everyone at Rossview Elementary School should be teacher/admin/aide/receptionist/etc of the year.

It’s funny how life can take you to places that you did not see coming. I never in a million years would have pictured myself as a teacher. As a matter of fact, on my first week of my first year teaching we were holding open house and all of the sudden my high school principal walked in (his own child was a student at the school)  and said “oh my, Abby Johnson this is the last place I ever expected to see you”. I just laughed and said, I know right. That man is Dr. BJ Worthington who is currently the Chief Academic Officer for our school system. And let me tell you, he is one great role model. His commitment to student achievement is what makes CMCSS one of the top in the state. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have him as a principal. But make no mistake, I KNOW how lucky I am to have him leading this school system.

When I went to college I had BIG plans to change the world. My goal was to return to Clarksville and open a community center for at risk youth. I have always been drawn to children who come from low socioeconomic homes. So, I flipped around from major to major psychology, social work, criminal justice. (No wonder I was on the 6 year plan). Then I took a big jump into early childhood education. One semester I was taking a class about incorporating health into the classroom. I loved that class and the professor was great. Her name is Dr. Rebecca Johns-Wommack and she is currently the Executive Director of TN’s Coordinated School Health. During that class a light bulb went off in my head….. I can teach health and wellness all day. So the next thing I knew I was once again changing my major, this time to health and physical education. At the time my mind was set one one thing…. I wanted to teach high school health and nothing else. My friend and mentor Pam Whitfield’s job is what I had my sights on. My last semester of school I had to do my student teaching. Half the semester I would be a the dreaded elementary school and the other half  I would be at a high school.

Let me just tell you, the world spun on a dime the day I first walked into the gym at Dunlieth Elementary School in Marietta, GA and saw Andrea Gehweiler teach PE. I think in an instant I KNEW that I wanted to do what she did. She is one great mentor, and to this day I am still lucky enough to call her my friend (in fact I talked to her for over an hour tonight and I think she is more excited than anyone about my TOY)

When I moved home and was ready to start my career there were no PE jobs to be had. Luckily, Frank Myers was willing to take a chance on a PE girl who was willing to teach Family and Consumer Science. I will forever be thankful to him, for taking that chance. After two years I finally secured a PE job and was a part of opening the brand new West Creek Elementary School. I loved it there, but my crazy self decided that I liked opening schools and the very next year I was hired to open the next new school in CMCSS, Rossview Elementary.

That brings us to now (sorry for all of the back story – but I wanted to share my journey)

From the moment we opened the doors at Rossview I knew that it was a special place and that it was going to be great. First of all, I am in complete awe of our administration. Paula Ford and Frances Ann Camp are two leaders that I would put up against anyone. A friend of mine and I used to name people that we would take to war with us if we had to go into battle. Well let me tell you, I would be taking these two. Paula for her quick decision making skills and thought process. And Frances Ann for her ability to stay calm in the most chaotic environments (plus – she would be my prayer warrior). Throw my sassy, uneven tempered, stubborn self in the mix and we are a force to me reckoned with. Luckily for me, I know that they support me enough that they would gladly go to war with me any day.

The teachers at Rossview are second to none. These people blow my mind every day. I know people say teachers have it made… I mean they get summers off, spring break, fall break, winter break, etc. etc, etc. Well let me tell you, teaching is no 9-5. You dont drive past our school and not see teachers cars in the parking lot. They are there on nights and weekends preparing for their lessons. And if they are not at school, they are lugging the infamous “teacher bag” home to work on stuff. Not to mention that every school day they are giving their all to the 20-25 smiling and not smiling faces in their classroom. Throughout the day they play teacher, mom, nurse, cheerleader, rule enforcer, entertainer, and every other hat you can name. (none of that is a complaint from me, I dont complain about the things teachers have to do. We chose our careers and no job is perfect. I say that to give credit where credit is due. And teachers deserve A LOT of credit) I love and respect every teacher for their tireless effort to grow students. If I could  I would name every single teacher in our building one by one here. But,  I will just insert standing ovation. (Big thanks to the Kindergarten and first grade teams for letting me do all of my crazy ideas… that sometimes put more work on them)

Shari Myers, OH MYLANTA this woman is amazing. I actually look forward to faculty meetings each week to see what new and exciting things she is going to teach us. And the fact that she always looks for ways to incorporate what she is teaching into special areas is a big huge plus in my book.

And let me not forget the office staff, teacher aides, and custodians. I LOVE these people!!!!!!!!!!!! All of them are there to lend a hand whenever I need it. Plus, they are just funny and fun to be around. In my next life I AM SO working in the front office.

As you can see, my job is easy because the people around me make it easy.

I too am often back in my gym until late at night or found working away in my office on a Saturday. But when you work with the BEST you strive to be the best. My day starts each morning by greeting almost 500 students off the bus. Those warm hugs on a cold morning, high fives, “good morning Mrs. Binkley”, “what are we doing in PE today”, and smiling faces are the absolute perfect way to start any work day. If you are ever in need of some heart warming… come stand at buses with me. Then throughout the day I get to “play”. Don’t misunderstand… I have high expectations. But, come on, we all know PE is fun. Then I end the day waving goodbye to all of those smiling faces. Some reading books, some showing me some cool project they made, some giving hugs as they walk by.

Some would say that the students are “lucky” to have me… but it is totally the other way around. I am the lucky one. Spending my days with 878 awesome kids and 100 of the hardest working people I know……. how could you get any luckier.

Thank you Rossview Elementary School for naming me one of this years Teacher  of The Year. My heart is full and I will sleep sound tonight feeling very blessed.

 

 

Stillness

Psalm. 46:10 says Be still, and know that I am God.
A Pastor friend of mine sent this out last week in his mid week motivational. I can’t begin to tell you how much I look forward to getting these emails every week.
I have repeated this verse to myself all week, and really thought about the fact that God is mighty and that when we are patient and allow Him to do His work, he never ceases to amaze.
Let me share how this is true in my life currently.
Over the past fee weeks I have felt stressed to the MAX. I feel pulled in a thousand different directions and never seem to get caught up. This is partly due to the fact that I am extremely OCD, an insomniac, and a over the top over achiever. So I am up at night creating more things to put on my plate.
The place where I have felt the most stress is in my job. I put in long hours, go in early and stay late, plus spend my nights and weekends all looking for ways to teach my students the crucial skills they need at their early stage of physical development.
The past few weeks I have been feeling like I am doing so much… But for what.
All week I just kept repeating to myself “Be still, and know that I am God”
Today I had one of those moments that forced me to just be still for a moment and take in this amazing opportunity that God has given me. To be able to spend my days looking into the eyes of smiling children who are eager to learn and who really do appreciate all that we do for them.
As I was letting my kindergarten classes into the gym today I was talking to another teacher and laughed about something. All of the sudden this precious 6 year old stopped in her tracks.. Looked up at me and said “Mrs Binkley, I like your laugh” it was one of the most adorable things I have ever seen” God, wasn’t finished working on my heart yet though. As my students walked laps around the track one by one they would come up to me and say things like “Mrs Binkley, I love PE” or “Mrs Binkley, your the best”. God knew that I so desperately needed to hear that my hard work was making a difference. When I called my class to come sit so that I could begin my lesson I just stood still for a moment and allowed God to work on my heart. After a few moments I looked out into the eyes of 68 kindergarten students who were eagerly waiting for me to tell them what we were going to be doing for our lesson and I was filled with THIS IS WHY I WORK HARD. For each set of little eyes that looks to me every other day to help them learn and grow. I looked at them and said “thank you, you all have made my day and just seeing your smiling faces makes my heart happy”. From there I had one of those picture perfect lessons that you wish you could video tape so that you could capture the magic. They were engaged, active, and happy. You can’t ask for much better than that.
At the end of the day I interrupted my administrators and said I know y’all are busy but I just had one of those magical moments that reminds you of why you teach. I think they thought I had lost it, or was being sarcastic. But I was serious.
Don’t ever get to caught up in the craziness of life that you can’t just take in the opportunities that God gives us. Because when we are still He reminds us that He is Creator and He created us all for a purpose. To Him be the glory.

An Angel

You know those moments when you feel like God put you in a certain place at a certain time just so you could see how awesome He is. Well, I had one of those moments last week and I can’t quit thinking about it. It was one of those things that almost takes your breath away because it is such pure, genuine kindness.
I work with many great people, but one has always impressed me with her consistent child-first thinking. In any situation and no matter who the child, she is always the biggest advocate for the child and puts their needs first.
She has a small Christmas tree decorated at school and it has a few ornaments on it, most of them being angels. She had a student in her office, one that has been through more than a child of that age should. The child was sitting in the floor and asked if they could have one of the ornaments.
Now even though these ornaments were all special to her, she is not one to ever say no to a child. So she made a deal with the child that if their behavior was good all day that they could come back at the end of the day and choose an ornament.
At the end of the day the child came back to claim the ornament. After carefully examining them all the student finally chose one.
Here is where I come in, my friend had already shared this story with me and I just so happened to be with her the next day when the child came back. This time holding a small notecard. The child said thank you and handed her the card. It was a drawing of the two of them and it said thank you. Well, knowing both of these people it was about all I could take. I had to turn my head because the tears welling up in my eyes were about to overflow.
You see to me this was a lot more than someone giving a child a gift. I don’t think it was by accident that the ornaments on her tree just so happened to be angels. I know my friend well enough to know that she had been saying silent prayers for this child. And our God is so mighty, and always listens. He made sure that that sweet child knows that there are people that really care and that the child will always have something to hold on to, to remember that sweet lady (or angel) that was so kind to them.

Forgiveness

This week we had our friends Ron and Cheryl over for dinner. Ron is one of my pastors and he also has an awesome blog. Check him out http://www.ronedmondson.com.
Anyway, I told him I had read his recent post on the ways to know you have truly forgiven someone. I told him all it took was getting to number 1 and I knew I was out. I have not forgiven.
Forgiveness is not one of my strong suits. Once I have been “crossed” or hurt it takes a lot for me to forgive. Why is that?
Here are my thoughts on why I have trouble forgiving…
– I am stubborn
– forgiving is a form of defeat.
– pride
– the hurt is too deep that the wound has not healed enough to start the forgiveness process
– fear, of what happens after forgiveness occurs. Will I be turned away? Will I be knocked down again?
– life is easier without forgiving

I can think of many cases where one, more, or all of these could be applied.
And some things are easier to forgive than others.
Hopefully one day I can read Ron’s post again, and answer yes everything on the list.

My little sunshine

Saved the best for last.
On this day of Thanksgiving I am most thankful for my reason for everything I do, my daughter.
I dont even think I can write this post without the tears flowing. Just the thought of my little girl and how much she means to me has me overflowing with emotion.
From the pitter patter of her little feet in the morning to the “just one more hug” at night, she fills my days with happiness.
Four years has passed by so quickly. On this night four years ago I was packing up my colicky baby for our nightly drive. I remember driving around, And seeing all the black Friday shoppers lined up around the stores. At that time I thought that the nights of my sweet infant screaming nightly from 11pm-3am would never end.
If only I would have known how fast time flies I would have savored those moments more.
I am thankful for my sweet Audra-Grace with every ounce of me. And I love her with all of my heart.
Audra-Grace you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are gray.

The Hubs

Today my Thanksgiving is for my husband, God surely blessed me when he sent this amazing man into my life 11 years ago. We actually met Thanksgiving Night.
I cannot begin to even cover the many talents that Daniel has. I don’t think there has ever been anything that I have asked him to do, that he didn’t find a way to do it. Life has given us some big challenges, and he has always been my rock, safe place, and loving arms to run to.
Daniel Binkley I am thankful for you and I AM FOR YOU!

Health

Today my thanksgiving is for my health. With so many people suffering from serious illnesses these days I always try to stop and be thankful for how blessed I am to have a healthy body. Six months ago I decided to take control of my health and make daily exercise a part of my life. Now I not only look better, but I feel better I have more energy for myself, my family, my friends, and my students. I love the way my body feels after a long run or intense workout.
My health is important and something that I must take time to take care of. My daughter needs me around for a long time. And I plan to be the best me that I can be for her everyday.

Living my Dream Job

Today’s thanksgiving is for my job. I know I am blessed beyond measure to have a job that I absolutely love getting up and going to every single day. 

Being a Physical Education teacher at the best elementary school in Clarksville is an honor. I have 850 students that I love to pieces and work with the best administration, faculty, and staff. 

I could write a book on why I love my job, but I don’t have time for all of that. So I will just discuss the one thing that makes my job worth every late night, weekends spent at school, hot glue burn, and projects done on my kitchen counter. 

I am a teacher but I am blessed to go to a job where I learn something every single day. I learn from the children that I teach. At least once a day I will see something that makes me stop in my tracks and fills my heart.

– A child smiling over something they have accomplished

– a child helping a friend

– a goodmorning Mrs. “Blinkley” after a chaotic morning at home

– the hunger for knowledge that only a child has

– the first time a student writes their name

– a hug

– excitement over what seems so simple

 

I could go on and on. I wish that everyone got to enjoy their job as much as I do. 

If you are waking up each day hating having to go to work, maybe you should consider a change of jobs. Life is too short. Do what makes you happy. 

 

GCom

This week I am writing a Thankful post everyday. Today’s thanksgiving is my church, Grace Community Church. I am so blessed to have found a church home that fits me and my family so well.
I love that my church knows and believes that we are all messed up people with big problems. We live in a world where sin is a daily struggle. And I struggle each day with many different things. But what Grace has taught me is that we are loved unconditionally by our Heavenly Father.
What I also love about my church is that they do not set boundaries and they are not afraid to challenge us. Topics that other churches are too scared to touch are the ones that GCom jumps at.
I am a broken woman living in a fallen world. But each day I turn my eyes and heart to Jesus. I know that his plan for me is bigger than any plan I could set for myself.
Thanks Grace Community for leading me in my walk with Christ.