Baal Perazim

        When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”

So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.   2 Samuel 5:17-20

      In the past 5 weeks there have been 6 different teachers covering in my classroom. I've sent students to the dean almost every single day for behavioral issues including defiance, fighting, threatening other students and sticking their tongues out at my new co-teacher. I have 7 students who are not on track to go first grade. You could say that the Philistines have come in full force. (Don't worry I'm not suggesting that I have been appointed as Queen over Village Prep). A wise friend once asked me, Who do you think God wants to be in this situation? It has stuck with me and right now I seek to know Baal Perazim, the God who breaks through. 

        I do have some breakthroughs to celebrate for in the midst of the storm. Jayson told me he wanted to try to do a math problem by himself. This is a child who if I let him would stand in front of his locker all day, watching the World go by. Jamari, who is habitually on yellow or red, had 2 green days in a row. In the middle of a temper tantrum I was able to calm Rayanna down by having her sit next to me while I administered a test to another student. Maranda got her coat off all by herself, even though I usually have to help her with the buttons. 

       In spite of the temper tantrums, eye rolling, and refusal to follow directions learning is still happening. My middle and high reading groups have made tremendous progress. They know all their letters and their sounds. They've memorized over 20 sight words and are gaining the skills to decode new words. They even know how to tell time by the hour and solve addition problems. 

        And here's to the breakthroughs that are still on their way.