I am a forever learner and I thoroughly enjoyed being back in school. Although it was an online class, it still felt good to be reading books, writing papers, and participating in class discussions.

I learned a great deal and I’m slowly trying to implement what I learned into my classroom. Now that student teaching is over, I’ve taken on two more classes of my own. I teach Economics/Personal Finance and Street Law in addition to Yearbook, Reader’s Choice, and English 12. FIVE PREPS! Am I crazy? Perhaps.

But I thoroughly enjoy teaching and feel I am participating in what God has called me to do. I love my students and it is an honor to be a part of their every day lives.

So many changes in my life these days. I’m learning a lot about myself. The mistakes I’ve made. The masks I’ve warn. The pain I’ve stuffed. The secrets I’ve kept. All of my students deal with these issues too. It has been my hope to help them live authentically as I try to do the same.

I listened to Brene Brown the other day and she reminded me that empathy will help kill shame. I’ve carried a lot of shame in my life. And those people who chose to be empathic and not judgmental have made the most impact on my healing journey. So I try to live an empathic life toward my students and toward those who come to me with their pain.

I’ve read the most amazing books in this season of my life, now that I have time to read for myself instead of text books. I hope to begin to blog about the books and how they have impacted me in this season of my life.

I hope you will join me on the journey to wholeness as we each move toward a life that is honorable. Even if our past is full of less than honorable seasons, God sees us as honorable and loves us anyway.

I want to be that kind of person toward everyone in my life. Even those who judge me or who have hurt me. What good is to to live otherwise?

Peace is my word for 2019. Let’s all seek peace with those who cross our paths. Even if we don’t agree with their opinion. Even if they aren’t that nice to us. But let it not be peace at any price. Let it be peace that comes from knowing who we are in Christ and not allowing anyone to treat us any differently than like the daughter of a KING.

May the peace of Christ be in your heart, soul, and mind every single day.

Gigi