Potiphar's Wife

 So, I've been busy, at least until this week.  I just saw my son, graduate  high school and that was a busy weekend.  Then I finished the school year and retired with all that the transition entailed.  Finally this week I have been able to take the time to read for one of my launch team commitments with Waterbrook Multnomah. I received an advance copy for an honest review.  Kind of like a great meal, you save the best for last when it can be savored.  That was my experience this week with Mesu Andrews newest book, a fictional novel, Potiphar's Wife.  I always enjoy fictional books best and when saturated with historical facts and references the treat is so much sweeter.  

Potiphar's Wife is an intriguing story of Pharaoh's  Egypt during the time of Joseph and his brother's from Jacob.  The story of Joesph is a well told one from young children's Sunday school lessons to a Broadway musical.  Yet in each telling we hear of the woman siren who tried to entice Joseph to sin, yet we never fully meet her to know her story.  Andrews clearly states in her afterward and author's notes that her novel Potiphar's wife is a work of fiction.  However she did do ample research to place as much historical fact into the story as possible.  Through research she learned that Potiphar's wife in the Koran was named Zulieka.  She also found evidence of political happenings at the time period of Joseph's captivity in Pharaoh's Egypt to weave into her story. Through her research and author's creativity she has written a compelling tale that makes both the time period and biblical characters come to life to entice readers to not only enjoy the story, but peak curiosity to delve further into the bible to learn more truths about the world of the old testament and the people who worshiped God through faith and determination.

I must say that many plot twists and turns kept my attention throughout the story.  I won't share because spoilers ruin the fun.  But even until the very end, I was surprised with sone of the events.  In my opinion that creates an entertaining and fun story. 

I can't wait for Andrew's next book, as she makes the characters so real it is hard to say goodbye to them.  I recommend Potiphar's Wife to anyone looking for fiction to enhance the story of Joseph and his life in Egypt.

Saving kids....

 This May, May 20th to be exact, I am retiring from public education.  I have not been on the job as long as many others, I was a late bloomer and finished my degree after my own children were in high school. So I am retiring with 17 years in my current district and about 6 from another district and being a para from a special education cooperative.  I have mixed feelings about retiring.  I wish I could have taught longer, but my health mandates less stress.  

Over the last 17 years  I have worked in various positions and over all I have worked diligently to save kids.  Mostly that meant to help kids (students) graduate from high school.  In high school you have to earn all your credits in the courses needed to graduate.   If a course is not passed then it must be repeated.This is not the same from previous years in education.  From kindergarten through 8th grade a student can be promoted even when they don't pass the course content, but when high school is reached, every credit counts.  

17 years ago, when I began working at Buhler,  I found that more than ever, I love helping students.  Trying to learn who they are and how they feel about school then how they best learn was my passion.  It still is my passion. However I learned the last couple years that it is time to embrace a new adventure and retire.I wish I had a count of all who graduated high school that I had in my classes.  I have loved them so much.  They make me smile.  I listen to their joys and hurts.  I listen to their dreams and I hope that they meet them and find joy in their future.  

However, covid happened, and attitudes changed.  Students lost drive and so did I .  The pandemic took its toll.  One unique positive came from the last two years.  A student, a boy, pre-pandemic, an unexpected life changing event.  Johnny.

Johnny began as a sophomore student in my class in January 2020.  Now Johnny is a member of my family and a son to me.  Johnny is a gregarious person who captures friends and hearts with his outgoing personality.   Johnny isn't an easy student.  He has a big personality.  Yet I love him.  

He will graduate from high school in two weeks, and I am very proud of him.  I work hard to make sure he has all the paperwork he needs completed for college done and that he is prepared for the next step in his education.  I want him to reach all the goals he sets for himself.  I treat him the same as I did my son and daughter.  He reaps all the benefits of a school mom who loves him as well as the consequences of a school mom that is focussed on education.  Yet he seems to deal with me well. =)

I think in my heart Johnny represents all the students I have had and loved and tried to help.  He is special because of the circumstances, I actually took him home to care for him and "mom" him, even though I mom most of my students every day.  Johnny has a family, a mom and a dad and brother and sisters, yet he allows me to care for him too.  it is a blessings for both of us.  

I will meet some of Johnny's family on May 14th, at graduation.  I am nervous.  Just because I don't know them yet.  I am humbled that I get to be a part of his life.  I want to care for him and give him a home.  I know his family loves him too.  It will be a special day.  

It will be so hard to leave the school and the building on May 20.  But I know each student that I ever had in my classes will remain a part of my heart.  I will miss my peers, my colleagues.  They have been my family for so many years, I have been with them everyday and they have treated me dearly.  It hurts to know I won't see them 10 months of the year.  Yet I know it is time. 

New adventures await, New challenges are ahead, and those at school, both students and faculty-friends will forever be in my heart. ❣️