The first day of the new year started off beautifully! Temps in the low 60's and clear skies in the afternoon, but the day didn't start out that way. Cloudy in the morning with torrential rains during the 11:00 church hour.
NorthStar is entering into a season of prayer and fasting for 21 days. The fast begins tomorrow.
Addie is spending the night with Abby Mink (good!), and Chelcie and Drew are both home safely from their respective New Year's Eve trips to Nashville.
Chelcie, Sam, Tom, and I had dinner with the Alfords and what a great time we had reminiscing about some of the many, many great times we've had over the years!
Verse of the day: Jeremiah 29:11 Live it out!
No animals for 21 days...starting tomorrow. Focus on building my relationship with my Savior...and my husband.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
And So Ends 2011...
What a year this has been. As I look back over the last twelve months, I can't help but be filled with mixed emotions. Relieved that in spite of all the struggles, we're all still here. We're still healthy. No one has gone hungry and we still have a roof over our heads. The big stuff is covered. Maybe that's what God is teaching me. HE's got me. He will take care of me.
What would a New Year's Eve blog entry be without a look back at the year that was?
January - I lost two good friends, Rick Campbell and Vickie Tharpe. We got two good snow days and I got the first major health scare of my young life when I felt a lump in my breast!
February - Still toughing it out at Sarah Moore Greene, trying to make sense of my apparent inability to form relationships with the folks I work with there. Inside, I was miserable and counting the days until I could say goodbye to that school forever and return to comfort and friends I had at West Valley. The month's highlight was my first mammogram and irregular results, second visit, and the sweet sound of relief when I was told there was nothing to worry about, everything was fine.
March - Trip to Ron Clark Academy was the highlight and getting Manuel Scott booked as our 11.1.11 speaker for Reach Them to Teach Them were the highlights
April - THE Storms, the end of OBIYTC and Nick and Brittany came out to lead us in the TCAP cheer that ended up on the news! I began the difficult process of disengaging from SMG
May - The Locker Room closes forever
June -
July - Beach Trip to Topsail
August - Back to school at West Valley!
September
October -
November- 11.1.11
December - Mission Unstoppable and kids are HOME!
What would a New Year's Eve blog entry be without a look back at the year that was?
January - I lost two good friends, Rick Campbell and Vickie Tharpe. We got two good snow days and I got the first major health scare of my young life when I felt a lump in my breast!
February - Still toughing it out at Sarah Moore Greene, trying to make sense of my apparent inability to form relationships with the folks I work with there. Inside, I was miserable and counting the days until I could say goodbye to that school forever and return to comfort and friends I had at West Valley. The month's highlight was my first mammogram and irregular results, second visit, and the sweet sound of relief when I was told there was nothing to worry about, everything was fine.
March - Trip to Ron Clark Academy was the highlight and getting Manuel Scott booked as our 11.1.11 speaker for Reach Them to Teach Them were the highlights
April - THE Storms, the end of OBIYTC and Nick and Brittany came out to lead us in the TCAP cheer that ended up on the news! I began the difficult process of disengaging from SMG
May - The Locker Room closes forever
June -
July - Beach Trip to Topsail
August - Back to school at West Valley!
September
October -
November- 11.1.11
December - Mission Unstoppable and kids are HOME!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
You Have Beautful Eyes, Ma'am...
5 words. Big impact.
My eyes have been growing older lately. Not me of course, just my eyes and I've struggled this Thanksgiving break with being able to see the fine print. Lately they've also been stinging and watering a little...maybe allergies. Anyway, I've been feeling kinda, not-so-pretty lately. Pictures of wrinkles and such...I need a haircut. You know the drill. Well, today after working at the Fantasy of Trees for 4 hours, I drove thru McDonalds to grab a bite to eat. Rainy, yucky November Day. When I cruised around to pick up my sack o' calories, the young man handed it out to me and said, "You have beautiful eyes, Ma''am." I was stunned. I murmured a thank you and headed toward home all the while thinking, Do I? Do I have beautiful eyes? I pulled down my review mirror to take a look.
I remember a song entitled, "if You Said My Eyes are Beautiful, It's because they're looking at you," I thought about how important it is to fix our eyes on Jesus. It is He who is beautiful and it is He who should be reflected in our eyes.
My eyes have been growing older lately. Not me of course, just my eyes and I've struggled this Thanksgiving break with being able to see the fine print. Lately they've also been stinging and watering a little...maybe allergies. Anyway, I've been feeling kinda, not-so-pretty lately. Pictures of wrinkles and such...I need a haircut. You know the drill. Well, today after working at the Fantasy of Trees for 4 hours, I drove thru McDonalds to grab a bite to eat. Rainy, yucky November Day. When I cruised around to pick up my sack o' calories, the young man handed it out to me and said, "You have beautiful eyes, Ma''am." I was stunned. I murmured a thank you and headed toward home all the while thinking, Do I? Do I have beautiful eyes? I pulled down my review mirror to take a look.
I remember a song entitled, "if You Said My Eyes are Beautiful, It's because they're looking at you," I thought about how important it is to fix our eyes on Jesus. It is He who is beautiful and it is He who should be reflected in our eyes.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Updating the Life Status
It's been nearly two months since my last post, but so much has happened since then I couldn't possibly catch up. Here are the biggies-
Food City came on board with Reach Them as did Comcast and Boys and Girls Club to make it possible for us to end the year in the black and ahead of where we started!
I had the opportunity to speak at Jack and Sue's church in Halls and John Jones from Food City came by to give me a check for $5000! Amazing drive to Halls in the rain.
Planning evaluation scored all 5's! Yay! The two nights I was up 'til 3AM paid off!
Reach Them was one of the best event EVER! Manuel Scott is a HIGHLY recommended speaker. Hallerin remains my all-time fav Knoxville superstar!
Lori hosted Halloween dinner - Manny was late, but dinner was fabulous!
Prayers have been answered like crazy - above and beyond my wildest dreams. Our Dream Team is amazing.
Addie is doing a great job in 6th grade and the braces she had put on this year make her look so "middle schoool-y."
Finally, Sam has discovered Reading with much thanks to The Hunger Games.
Addie's soccer team bonded through the unexpected death of Barry Long, Erin's daddy, and a hero who walked among us.
Pinterest is taking WAY too much of my time.
Ricky still lives in my house.
I had my formal evaluation on Instruction today and it was less than perfect, but I'm glad it's over.
Tom and I went to SharpTop as adult guests during Young Life camp. Good times!
Grandma Crawford passed away last Saturday. We're going to Greensboro on Thursday for her funeral. So sad to see things change and grateful for the time we spent at the beach through the years.
My classes are da bomb! My students are hilarious and smart. They are well-behaved and fun to be around every day. Now if I could only find the time to give them the best 7th grade experience they could ever imagine!
Time to plan! And go to bed.
Food City came on board with Reach Them as did Comcast and Boys and Girls Club to make it possible for us to end the year in the black and ahead of where we started!
I had the opportunity to speak at Jack and Sue's church in Halls and John Jones from Food City came by to give me a check for $5000! Amazing drive to Halls in the rain.
Planning evaluation scored all 5's! Yay! The two nights I was up 'til 3AM paid off!
Reach Them was one of the best event EVER! Manuel Scott is a HIGHLY recommended speaker. Hallerin remains my all-time fav Knoxville superstar!
Lori hosted Halloween dinner - Manny was late, but dinner was fabulous!
Prayers have been answered like crazy - above and beyond my wildest dreams. Our Dream Team is amazing.
Addie is doing a great job in 6th grade and the braces she had put on this year make her look so "middle schoool-y."
Finally, Sam has discovered Reading with much thanks to The Hunger Games.
Addie's soccer team bonded through the unexpected death of Barry Long, Erin's daddy, and a hero who walked among us.
Pinterest is taking WAY too much of my time.
Ricky still lives in my house.
I had my formal evaluation on Instruction today and it was less than perfect, but I'm glad it's over.
Tom and I went to SharpTop as adult guests during Young Life camp. Good times!
Grandma Crawford passed away last Saturday. We're going to Greensboro on Thursday for her funeral. So sad to see things change and grateful for the time we spent at the beach through the years.
My classes are da bomb! My students are hilarious and smart. They are well-behaved and fun to be around every day. Now if I could only find the time to give them the best 7th grade experience they could ever imagine!
Time to plan! And go to bed.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Back on the Gerbil Wheel
Yep, it's that time of year that I find myself on the spinning gerbil wheel that takes a brief pause at Christmas, but spin furiously until the last day of school...and I love it. I am happier when I'm busy. I need something to do. Yes, I know there is always something to do, but I need something that satisfies me, something that challenges me, something that causes me to depend on my God to make it happen. My every day classroom adventure provides the challenge and reward I need and Reach Them to Teach Them provides the faith builder I crave.
This week, I spoke with Scott Fitch at HT Hackney and he agreed to provide over 2,000 bottle of water for our Reach Them to Teach Them event on November 1st. He even went above and beyond and said he could provide customized labels with our logo, mission statement, and other information we'd like to include.
Our Two Rivers event was last Tuesday and much to our surprise and delight the weather was gorgeous and warm, but not too hot. Vallie Collins had our crowd absolutely mesmerized with her survival story of the Miracle on the Hudson. She is a polished, professional, and endearing speaker!
I shared the mission of Reach Them to Teach Them by putting a face on our mission. With Dakota Lee as our emcee and my powerpoint detailing Field Day 2010, I shared two extremes- Dakota, Mr. Hardin Valley Academy, and Martez, a little boy who needs someone to love him. I was thrilled to have Nick Reveiz in attendance as my story centered on his willingness to let Martez sign his UT shirt in permanent marker. Chelcie didn't mind having Nick there either!
Our silent auction went well, as everything sold, and our live auction brought energy and enthusiasm to our mission. David Pozy did a great job bringing humor and financial challenge to a crowd with limited financial resources. Next year we'll do a better job filling the seats with those who can help us financially.
Some highlights of the auction were UT skybox tickets that went for $950, and lunch with Inky Johnson that sold for $350. All in all we raised about $7,000 which is not bad for our first attempt. Especially when we consider that the event used to cost us money. Youth Transitions provided a delicious "upscale-ish" meal for our guest and as usual, our volunteers were over the top when it came to customer service!
We had about 75 guests which is fewer than we wanted to have, but we know that God had just the people there who needed to be there and we give Him all the glory and honor and praise for His answer to our prayer.
We have one month to go until 11.1.11! I could never imagine that time to pass so quickly once school started!
This week, I spoke with Scott Fitch at HT Hackney and he agreed to provide over 2,000 bottle of water for our Reach Them to Teach Them event on November 1st. He even went above and beyond and said he could provide customized labels with our logo, mission statement, and other information we'd like to include.
Our Two Rivers event was last Tuesday and much to our surprise and delight the weather was gorgeous and warm, but not too hot. Vallie Collins had our crowd absolutely mesmerized with her survival story of the Miracle on the Hudson. She is a polished, professional, and endearing speaker!
I shared the mission of Reach Them to Teach Them by putting a face on our mission. With Dakota Lee as our emcee and my powerpoint detailing Field Day 2010, I shared two extremes- Dakota, Mr. Hardin Valley Academy, and Martez, a little boy who needs someone to love him. I was thrilled to have Nick Reveiz in attendance as my story centered on his willingness to let Martez sign his UT shirt in permanent marker. Chelcie didn't mind having Nick there either!
Our silent auction went well, as everything sold, and our live auction brought energy and enthusiasm to our mission. David Pozy did a great job bringing humor and financial challenge to a crowd with limited financial resources. Next year we'll do a better job filling the seats with those who can help us financially.
Some highlights of the auction were UT skybox tickets that went for $950, and lunch with Inky Johnson that sold for $350. All in all we raised about $7,000 which is not bad for our first attempt. Especially when we consider that the event used to cost us money. Youth Transitions provided a delicious "upscale-ish" meal for our guest and as usual, our volunteers were over the top when it came to customer service!
We had about 75 guests which is fewer than we wanted to have, but we know that God had just the people there who needed to be there and we give Him all the glory and honor and praise for His answer to our prayer.
We have one month to go until 11.1.11! I could never imagine that time to pass so quickly once school started!
Friday, September 16, 2011
School News
It's official. Yes, I have the best classes of any teacher in any school in the entire United States of America! My students are the smartest, most thoughtful, most well-behaved CHAMPIONS in the world! True, West Valley is vastly different from SMG, but I know for sure that there are at least 26 CHAMPIONS that come through the doors of SMG in the two years I was able to teach there.
We've already learned so many new things in the first five weeks of school. We've mastered foreign words and phrases, Greek and Latin word parts, theme, plot, point of view, genre, time period and culture words, and we're ready to start our first novel on Monday! I have a few students who struggle and seem as if they may be misplaced in my class, but I believe they are capable of rising to the occasion. Absences are still an issue for me. There's no way to recreate what happens in our classroom by sending home an "assignment." I wish parents could understand that it's not a matter of picking up make-up work. Their children MISS valuable learning experiences when they are not in class.
My colleagues are wonderful people and I'm so grateful for them and for the opportunity to share ideas with them. I wish I had more to offer, but my middle school skills are a little rusty. In spite of that, I believe this may the year to get my land legs back and push myself professionally to a higher level of teaching. I've already found myself pushing a little harder to find the BEST stuff to do each week with my students. They are responding in amazing ways. I'm going to post the text from a few emails I've received since school started just to keep my motivated.
We've already learned so many new things in the first five weeks of school. We've mastered foreign words and phrases, Greek and Latin word parts, theme, plot, point of view, genre, time period and culture words, and we're ready to start our first novel on Monday! I have a few students who struggle and seem as if they may be misplaced in my class, but I believe they are capable of rising to the occasion. Absences are still an issue for me. There's no way to recreate what happens in our classroom by sending home an "assignment." I wish parents could understand that it's not a matter of picking up make-up work. Their children MISS valuable learning experiences when they are not in class.
My colleagues are wonderful people and I'm so grateful for them and for the opportunity to share ideas with them. I wish I had more to offer, but my middle school skills are a little rusty. In spite of that, I believe this may the year to get my land legs back and push myself professionally to a higher level of teaching. I've already found myself pushing a little harder to find the BEST stuff to do each week with my students. They are responding in amazing ways. I'm going to post the text from a few emails I've received since school started just to keep my motivated.
Hi Coach Crawford,
I want to thank you for the letter you sent home regarding Hunger Games. I so appreciate you making sure parents are aware of what our children are reading and for respecting us enough to communicate that prior to starting the book. I look forward to the discussions our family may have.
I also want to thank you for being the kind of teacher that middle schoolers so need and love. My daughter has been psyched about Reading since the first day she met you.
In support of what you do,
Mother of a 7th Grader
----------------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for the information and invitation to the 11/1 event. We would love to attend and look forward to the opportunity to be a part of something like this.
Thank you again for what you are doing for my son.
Mom
From: AMY CRAWFORD <amy.crawford@knoxschools.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 7:46 PM
Thank you again for what you are doing for my son.
Mom
From: AMY CRAWFORD <amy.crawford@knoxschools.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 7:46 PM
School Fusion has not been functioning properly for about two weeks. My understanding is that "they" are aware of the issues and are working diligently to correct them. Please let me know if the Fusion issues aren't resolved by early week. I wish I could offer suggestions, but I'm technically challenged myself!
As teachers, we are all in the business of inspiring, or re-inspiring dreams...at least we should be...Knowing that we are making a difference is the reason why we do what we do. Thank you for sharing your son's positive response to our "Locker Room." I am grateful for your support.
Check out our website for Reach Them to Teach Them http://www.reachthem2teachthem.com. I'd like to invite to attend our 11.1.11 event as my guest. Your children are welcome to join you. Just let me know if this looks like something in which you'd be interested. No one should ever be with a dream.
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 1:49 PM
To: AMY CRAWFORD
As teachers, we are all in the business of inspiring, or re-inspiring dreams...at least we should be...Knowing that we are making a difference is the reason why we do what we do. Thank you for sharing your son's positive response to our "Locker Room." I am grateful for your support.
Check out our website for Reach Them to Teach Them http://www.reachthem2teachthem.com. I'd like to invite to attend our 11.1.11 event as my guest. Your children are welcome to join you. Just let me know if this looks like something in which you'd be interested. No one should ever be with a dream.
Dream BIG!
Amy Crawford
865-603-3046
Amy Crawford
865-603-3046
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 1:49 PM
To: AMY CRAWFORD
Thank you so much for your response. There's something wrong on School Fusion because I'm unable to access any of your files or send a message. I apologize for the previous message's errors; I'm typing on my phone.
I haven't dreamed in a long time. As a divorced parent of three (4, 8, and 12), I'm usually functioning in "survival" mode. You are reaching my son with your teaching style. He taught the younger ones the 'I want it, you've got it' over the weekend.
I want that intensity for my family too. Middle school has eroded the relationship that I once had with my son. So, my dream is that God restore that and my son's desire for doing his best. Dream BIG?! Thank you for the reminder. I barely sleep much less have dreams anymore. But Proverbs 29:18 says 'where there is no vision, the people perish..." Again, I am challenged.
If there's anything I can do to assist, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Have a great day,
Mom
From: AMY CRAWFORD <amy.crawford@knoxschools.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 12:39 PM
I haven't dreamed in a long time. As a divorced parent of three (4, 8, and 12), I'm usually functioning in "survival" mode. You are reaching my son with your teaching style. He taught the younger ones the 'I want it, you've got it' over the weekend.
I want that intensity for my family too. Middle school has eroded the relationship that I once had with my son. So, my dream is that God restore that and my son's desire for doing his best. Dream BIG?! Thank you for the reminder. I barely sleep much less have dreams anymore. But Proverbs 29:18 says 'where there is no vision, the people perish..." Again, I am challenged.
If there's anything I can do to assist, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Have a great day,
Mom
From: AMY CRAWFORD <amy.crawford@knoxschools.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 12:39 PM
I haven't entered the project grades yet because some students still need to do their presentations. All grades will be updated by Friday afternoon.
Thank you for your support and encouragement. I enjoy having your son in class!
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 12:26 PM
My son used to love learning and putting forth the effort. Now his academic pursuits are frustrating to watch and I feel like the Gustapo every time I aske about school. He doesn't write down assignments, all of his work is shoved into the binder. And he's not completely honest about homework.Again, I am extremly frustrated.
Thank you for any information that you are able to provide. If you'd rather call, please contact me at _____.
Have a blessed day,
------------------------------
Thank you for your support and encouragement. I enjoy having your son in class!
Dream BIG!
Amy Crawford
865-603-3046
Amy Crawford
865-603-3046
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 12:26 PM
Coach Crawford,
I was reviewing my son's grades on the parent portal and noticed that he has an N for last week's project grade. I watched him work on the notecards with his dad during the week, asked my son about the presentation over the weekend, and he said that it went well. So, I wasn't sure if the grade hasn't been recorded or if my son was not honest with me.
I was reviewing my son's grades on the parent portal and noticed that he has an N for last week's project grade. I watched him work on the notecards with his dad during the week, asked my son about the presentation over the weekend, and he said that it went well. So, I wasn't sure if the grade hasn't been recorded or if my son was not honest with me.
My son used to love learning and putting forth the effort. Now his academic pursuits are frustrating to watch and I feel like the Gustapo every time I aske about school. He doesn't write down assignments, all of his work is shoved into the binder. And he's not completely honest about homework.Again, I am extremly frustrated.
Thank you for any information that you are able to provide. If you'd rather call, please contact me at _____.
Have a blessed day,
------------------------------
I just wanted to say thank you for all you have done for my son. He is an amazing child, regardless of his issues. I wanted you to know that you were the only teacher he wanted to keep. He mentioned you specifically when I was explaining to him what happened today. You are his "favorite" class. I'm not trying to make you feel bad. I just wanted you to know how special you are (and have always been). He asked my husband about "the challenging question of the day?" He said it did not occur during class time. Is this something he could continue to do, even though he is no longer part of your class? I still believe you could be an amazing coach (on the side lines) for my son. He actually cried today when I gave him the news. Thank you for anything you can do.
It's notes like these that keep me in the game whenever I feel like giving up. Knowing that I am exactly where God has called me to be and that He is using me to have an impact on the students He brings my way, keeps me inspired.
**I've taken out specific names in the emails to maintain confidentiality. When possible I replace the names with "son" or "mother"
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Exceedingly More Than We Can Think or Imagine....
Just enough time to document the journey tonight. Whew! What a ride this God-given dream has been! This has been an eventful week. I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Jones and Mr. Breedon from Food City yesterday and they were kind enough to invite Joe and Ken from Coca-Cola to join us. As only God could do, He allowed me to effectively communicate our "big dream" and I left the table excited, confident, and optimistic. Food City has agreed to provide the food for BOTH events and Coca-Cola left the table with "You have sold me 110%!" Coca-Cola wants to share our dream with their "people" then we'll talk about what their involvement could look like. I'm in awe...
Then Phil sent an Inky quote as our Thursday morning motivator. I sent it on to Inky with a message about the people he is reaching through his words, then Inky emailed me back that he had just left a meeting with FOOD CITY! Crazy, crazy divine appointments to be sure - It just so happened that a gentleman who runs HT Hackney happened to overhear John and Inky and expressed a desire to be involved. John called me this afternoon and shared that Hackney can donate all the water we need... with specially designed labels!
I'm overwhelmed, in awe, and humbled. To God be the GLORY indeed.
Special prayers tonight for Hallerin's family as they cope with the death of his mother today. She leaves a legacy.
Then Phil sent an Inky quote as our Thursday morning motivator. I sent it on to Inky with a message about the people he is reaching through his words, then Inky emailed me back that he had just left a meeting with FOOD CITY! Crazy, crazy divine appointments to be sure - It just so happened that a gentleman who runs HT Hackney happened to overhear John and Inky and expressed a desire to be involved. John called me this afternoon and shared that Hackney can donate all the water we need... with specially designed labels!
I'm overwhelmed, in awe, and humbled. To God be the GLORY indeed.
Special prayers tonight for Hallerin's family as they cope with the death of his mother today. She leaves a legacy.
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