Learning Through Consequences

Reader,

If you have read my posts in the past, you know a bit about me and my job.  I work with students that for one reason or another struggle to thrive at school.  Of course there are many reasons why this is the case; some have family backgrounds that prevent them from being able to focus on their school work, others just find school difficult to understand, and there are some that have social or emotional influences that affect their learning experiences.  Whatever the case, school is generally the last place that they want to be at any given moment in time.

Now I confess, I am an empathy sponge.  This is a good and bad thing to be in my chosen profession.  I am able to understand the kids better, and know which areas frustrate them, but I also feel helpless sometimes when I know that my students are upset and emotional.  I want to help them understand their material and make their lives less stressful for them, but essentially their success or failure is their responsibility. As much as I want them to be successful I can not "make" this happen. I logically know that all I can do is offer support and assistance and they must make the right choices and work hard to pass their credits.

As April approaches, so does the end of the school term for this year.  Our school ends in mid May so there are only a few weeks left and for my students, time is running out to improve grades.  I was feeling very depressed the other day about the circumstances some of "my kids" are in at this point of the semester.  Now, I know that most of this is due to the choices they have made throughout the semester.  I have preached many a "sermon" about the effects of choosing to only do work within the school day, doing nothing outside of class time (essentially the same thing),  doing only the bare minimum, and most grating to my nerves of all, not using the time in class(particularly in my class)  to complete work, but  instead goofing off during that time.  The closer the end of the semester creeps, the more anxious I get about the students.

The other day I caught myself in an emotional loop of worry.  I had to purposely remind myself that these students are getting an education that doesn't just focus on their credit acquisition.  Because I care for each and every one of them, I want their path to knowledge to be less stressful and more successful, but in all reality, success isn't just in passing a class and walking across the stage at graduation.  Failing and learning that consequences of actions are very real is also an educational experience. Just not the one I wish for my kids.

 I think that any educator or parent would like to see their students or children happy and able to achieve what they want with the least amount of resistance. But I am not certain that this teaches grit and resilience. 

My overall thought for the day is that I need to focus on the good, preach the word of responsibility and let go the guilt of things outside my control.  I pray my students make choices that bring success, but in the end I must accept that the consequences are on them.  Reader, if you are an educator or a parent, I hope you find some comfort in my thoughts today.  Love them, teach them, comfort them and pray for them. Then let them learn, in whichever way they choose.

Daisy Cakes Bakes

Daisy Cakes Bakes is a lovely new cookbook written by author Kim Nelson, owner of her own business, Daisy Cakes.  I first saw this book on the Blogging for Books website and was smitten from the start when I saw a white layer cake with peach filling on the cover.  In the middle of a winter doldrum, this cake on the cover of her book just screamed spring and freshness.  Something I am craving as I anxiously await the warm weather of spring and summer.  Nelson's book features Southern comfort baking so all her confections are calling my name. I just love the South and all the comfort foods in that region. I was not disappointed when I received my copy  of Nelson's book and began exploring the recipes inside the book.  I am anxious to make many of them, especially the white coconut frosting,  and  the butter brickle cookies, which I have a feeling my son-in-law would adore.

I can highly recommend Daisy Cakes Bakes for any baker's home cookbook collection.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.