Thursday, April 12, 2012

"K" is for kindling.....

perceptions + quotes + reality =
A to Z Challenge
image from the internet...
y Dante Alighier
As defined by Mirriam-Webster’s Dictionary, kindling-the dry twigs, pieces of paper, etc…that burn effortlessly and are recycled to start a fire reminds me of small beginnings.

I consider this brushwood to be the fleeting thoughts or ideas that spark and commence with "I wonder if…" or "Do you think it possible?" These notions possess the chance to develop into the early stages of significant happenings or events. To nurture the tender beginnings requires careful planning and preparation as well as the ideas necessitating a course of action.

I am a teacher of children with special needs. However, in recent years I have become disillusioned with education; the minimal funding, the stress on testing, the shrinking services available to my kids besides the fact that the growing demands of paperwork stifled the enjoyment of educating my students.

Within the last few months, the twigs were ignited by the conception of moving jobs that perhaps would alleviate these frustrations. Yesterday I received a job offer to teach a special education Kindergarten class. I am thrilled beyond belief and the fire is burning bright.

Yes, "K" is for Kindling, but in my world, "K" is also for Kindergarten!

"From a little spark may burst a flame."

By Dante Alighieri

48 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Great K post, good to read, most enjoyable.

Yvonne.

Old Kitty said...

Congratulations Tracy! Oh what a great job offer for you! I do hope this kindling will burst into phoenix like flames for you! Take care
x

Cristina said...

Congratulations and I'm glad that the fire is burning for you again. Your job is such an important one!!!!

liz young said...

Fantastic news about the job. Funding is always going to be a problem, more so in the recession, but with an inspired teacher those kindergarten kids will do wonderfully.

TexWisGirl said...

a great big YAY for your soul's renewal!

Fuzzy Tales said...

Huge congratulations are in order. We hope this change rejuvenates your spirit as pertains to your work. :-)

Anonymous said...

Congrats! on the position! What an awesome gift you have to give to the world! ANd great quote. Simple, yet powerful.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

What a wonderful "K" word. I was wondering earlier what it would be. I am so happy that your kindling has blazed up into the job offer and your joy over it!

And kudos to you for even considering the possibility of changing jobs. That has been difficult for me in the past.

Bish Denham said...

It's so sad that teaching has become a job rather than a joy. May you find that joy again! Congratulations.

Betty Alark said...

Hi, Tracy!

My daughter spells her name the same way!

I'm a former school teacher; I've worked with special need students also; I can relate to your dilema. Doesn't seem like much has changed.

Teaching is such a rewarding profession! As you stated - to keep those little fires buring takes a lot of ingenuity, creativity, productivity, love and a lot more!

Granted the resources needed aren't always there; and the politics don't really make the work any easier.

In time I hope things change for the better for the childrens sake and the teachers!

Congratulations on your new offer! Much success to you!

http://bettyalark.blogspot.com/

Mary Aalgaard said...

Congratulations. I think you deserve the double K Day!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Are you from Grand Forks, or are you just fans of their sports teams?
I graduated from UND.

Nice to meet ya.

Play off the Page

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your job offer and going back to kindergarten :-)

Happy A to Z,
Lucy

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Congrats, Tracy... You put the kindling in the fire ---and the fire 'caught'.... That's awesome...

The worst thing to me (as a former teacher) is what the unions have done. They were supposed to HELP... But now they are just political groups which are out for themselves --and not the schools.

Giving tenure to teachers --and not holding them accountable to continue to be good teachers has ruined our public schools. YES--there are some very dedicated and excellent teachers who do their best --but there are also some HORRIBLE teachers --who cannot be fired.... It's a mess.

Congrats again...
Hugs,
Betsy

MadSnapper said...

this is fantastic, and so true. congrats on the new job and i wish you the best

Anonymous said...

My heartiest congrats, Tracy! What a wonderful answer to prayer.

Ginny Hartzler said...

How wonderful, congratulations!!!! Is it in the same school or a different one? Will you make the same amount of money? So you have accepted?

My Mind's Eye said...

As blustery as it is today...I'd love to have a fire. LOL Hubby and I just finished a cup of hot chocolate.

I'm sending you an email please check...interesting discovery.
Hugs C

Unknown said...

I am sure you presence will ignite a flame in the hearts of those little kindergarten children to learn and grow :)

Empty Nester said...

I am from a family of educators. Two of us dealt with special needs kids. I understand education frustrations. When our last governor was elected (and no, I did NOT vote for her) the first thing she cut was special needs funding. The VERY FIRST THING. Guess that wouldn't have happened had she actually had a special needs kid herself. Our youngest is an education major and wants to teach kindergarten! Great 'K' words and wonderful connection to kindling!

D.E. Malone said...

Congratulations on the new job. Sorry to hear of your frustrations. Hopefully the new venture will provide the outlet you need for your talents. Visiting from A to Z!

Hart Johnson said...

Oh, congratulations on your new job! I was going to argue about needing my BIG pieces set before I start playing with kindling, but i think different people do it differently. I get the big ones (literally and metaphorically) into place and then start to tuck the kindling in around the edges and in between. I notice if I jam the kindling in too tight, it won't start--there is a just right amount to make the big ones ignite.

Anne Mackle said...

Good K post. Congratulations on your new job.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Congratulations! That's wonderful. I hope you truly enjoy it :-)

Breathing In Grace said...

Ain't God good? Oh, yes HE is!!! So glad for your job offer and the fact that God stepped right in at the right time!!! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment at Jeremiah 29:11.

Unknown said...

Oh well done on getting just the job that will really make you blossom. Good luck and I do admire you for this work. You make such a difference to the children, I'm sure.

Brian's Home Blog said...

I personally think the "K"ids are very fortunate as well! Congrats!!!

Empty Nest Insider said...

Congratulations on your new kindergarten position! I know how difficult being a special needs teacher must be, but you truly will make a difference to the children and their parents. Think of us whenever you're doing projects with a scissors! Julie

Wanda said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my Art Blog. I left you a message in my comments. I'm checking out your A/Z and you and Betsy are so good at this!

Donna K. Weaver said...

You are so right. This is a great k word and I love your comparison to education and the feelings needed to improve it. Nice!

F. Stone said...

Isn't it wonderful how the universe works. One's intentions are quite powerful. I know you'll enjoy your new posting.
Feather

Tracy Jo said...

Whooo-hoooo! So happy for you and for this beautiful post. You truly have a way with words and I love how you see the world around you. :-)

farawayeyes said...

Good for you.

Unknown said...

congrats! I think that is awesome!

Sonia Lal said...

congrats! bet the new job feels good


Sonia Lal, A to Z challenge

Gina Gao said...

I'm glad that the fire in you is burning yet again. It's always nice to hear of someone finding the purpose in their life again. Congrats.

www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

Patricia Stoltey said...

You just never know what tomorrow will bring, do you? Teaching a special ed kindergarten class sounds like a very rewarding challenge. I hope you love every minute of it.

Patricia Stoltey

Rebecca said...

great k post and congrats

Lynn Proctor said...

so happy for you about your new job---special needs education is dear to my heart too!

Connie said...

I'm sure you'll kindle a fire under those kindergarten kids. :D Best of luck with your new job, Tracy. I hope it is all you wish it to be.

Cathy at PotterJotter said...

Well done on the new job and glad the 'little spark' never quite went out. Long may you burn bright! XCathy

M said...

Yay! Special Ed is rewarding yet so draining. The paperwork is ridiculous! Good luck with kindergarten!! I have been teaching K for about 19 of my 27 years of teaching. You are welcome to ask for ideas and themes anytime and I will share.

Happy A-Z April!

Sherry Ellis said...

That's great news about your new job! Yes, sometimes a little change keeps the fires burning.

Jaye Robin Brown said...

Congratulations on the new job. I'm also in public education and it can be both frustrating and trying. Take those grand moments of kindling to get that fire rebuilt.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

You already know how happy I am for you, but I'll tell you again. I'm extremely happy--for you.

Know what? I know you'll spark those little brains with a curiosity for learning and warm their little hearts with love.

T

Robyn Campbell said...

Congrads. Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for you. The fire is burning bright. :-) Love it. I can feel your happiness.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

A huge congrats for your new job! I hope those frustrations are now alleviated.

Susan Kane said...

I loved how you tied the two words together so creatively. Happy Kgt. teaching!

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