"Hold Fast," Here Comes Fall 2020

We've all decided that 2020 needs to end. As I smell the smoke of wildfires burning in the distance, the mantra "What next?" comes again to mind. It seems like diminished air quality fits right in with all the other plagues of the year of COVID-19. Yet we choose our own talking points, our own mantras, our own storylines within this drama that is 2020. As fall approaches and teachers return to schoool, what words of hope can we speak to ourselves and our coworkers? Surely Christians can do better than "What next?"

For me, the words "hold fast" are what I need right now. They come from Hebrews 3 and 4, speaking of how a believer must be faithful,  holding her confidence in Christ "firm until the end."

Our examples are Moses (Ch. 3 v. 2-5) and Jesus (Ch. 3 v. 1-6), as well as other believers who have come before us and who encourage us in our faith. We need these examples in troubling times. How did Jesus hold fast, "faithful to Him who appointed Him" (3:2)?  There is a choice involved, an exercise of the will. We may choose to fall away (3:12), to be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (3:13). Or we may choose to hold fast our confession.

If we follow the example of Jesus, who has now entered into rest (4:10), we will also enter into rest when our work is done.

And what is the work? Chapter 3 verse 13 says that part of it is encouraging one another. Not saying to each other, "What next?" but "Hold fast!" For Christian teachers in public schools heading into the 2020/2021 school year, our work may be to make this year the year that we believed. The year that we held onto our faith in Him who appointed us, who called us to this time and this place and this task. Whatever the ministry is that He has called us to, may Fall 2020 be the time when we were faithful despite the chaos that surounded us.

Be encouraged, beloved. Encourage one another to hold fast our confession. Rest is coming soon.

Amy

Fun and Inspiring Pinterest Boards for Teachers, Just in Time for Back to School

Hello, August! Let the countdown begin!

One of my most popular blog posts gives readers links to some of my teacher-y Pinterest boards with all sorts of back-to-school goodness for teachers in all grade levels. Since it's a new school year and I've changed up my Pinterest world a bit, I thought I'd share with you again.

Also new, you can now find me on Instagram @amyballardwriter. I post what's new in my TPT store, books I'm currently reading, resources for teachers, sales and freebies, and other eye candy for teachers.

Without further ado, here are my favorite Pinterest boards for your enjoyment!


Classroom/Content
Elementary
American Lit
Teaching HS (primarily ELA-focused)
Google Awesomeness (tips and tricks for teachers using all things Google)
Writing Fiction
Teacher Supplies (Okay, I love this one!)
Classroom Decor (with eight sections for themes, etc.)
Classroom Management
Teaching Vocabulary


For the Teacher's Well-Being
Christian Teacher, Public School
Smart, Professional Clothes (now with sections for accessories, shoes, etc.)
Painting
Lemons ("Squeeze the Day!" classroom theme, anyone?)
Travel Soon (with lots of fun, vintage travel poster art)
Healing Garden (Take a walk in my garden! It's soothing!)
Healthy -Ish Snacks
Living Coral 2019 (Pantone-inspired color board)
Blessings (Can I get an "Amen"?)
Books to Read in My Nonexistent Reading Nook When It Rains
Teacher Gifts
The Florist Shop
Writing Space


What's your classroom theme for fall 2019?
Follow a favorite teacher-pinner? Share with us in the comments so we can share the love!

Visit Brevity on Teachers Pay Teachers During the Sitewide Back to School Sale for 25% Off

What will you find in my store on TPT?

• Core-aligned resources for teaching secondary English
• Resources to combat bullying at all grade levels
• Free encouraging eCards
• Vocabulary and anticipation guides
• Leadership in Band of Brothers unit
• American Literature lesson plans and resources
• Famous Quotes in Shakespeare wall doc packs
• and much more!

Visit Brevity on TPT during the sitewide Back-to-School sale August 6 and 7 to receive 25% off your total purchase. Now is the time to stock up on all those items on your wishlist!

Thanks for visiting!

Seeking Guest Bloggers for Fall 2019

Have a great idea for a blog post for teachers? I'd love to hear from you. Guest blogging for Christian Teacher, Public School may be a great way to get your idea out there and build community with other teachers. Here's what we'd most like to see:

• Posts that discuss the everyday life of teachers who hold to the Christian faith while teaching in the public school. This could be in the form of a journal, a how-to, or any structure that works for you.

• Technology, art, music, and other special focus areas of education. Give us your takeaways from a recent conference, a book you loved, or a class you took. Inspire fellow teachers to hone their craft and be the best they can be.

• Devotionals for teachers. How has God been working in your life recently? What Bible passages has He laid on your heart to share with other teachers? Share ideas for how to pray for students.

• Posts that show us first-hand how you or an interviewee build rapport with students and parents.

• Posts that help teachers understand IEPs, 504s, and how to both relate to special needs students and help them grow academically and emotionally.

• Book reviews of recently-published books for teachers. You could also do a roundup of readalouds, multicultural novels for middle grade readers, or other books for the classroom library. Have you written a book for teachers? We'd like to know.

• Posts that show us first-hand how you or an interviewee teach a lesson, build a unit, organize a field trip, rock a fundraiser, or other practical how-to article.

• Posts that round up resources for Christian teachers in public schools, especially freebies, helpful organizations, teacher hacks, online tools, and basically anything practical for daily teacher life.

If you write about students, be sure to change names and any identifying information. Follow FERPA! And get any necessary permissions from people you interview or photograph.

Some guest blog submissions may be declined, usually because they're not quite what I'm looking for. Follow the above bullet points, and you'll be more likely to have your idea accepted for publication. Feel free to submit more than one idea!

There's no pay for guest blogging with me, but I'll generate buzz through Instagram @amyballardwriter and here on my blog. You'll spread the word to your friends, and our combined readership will get your ideas out there to a wide network of teachers. I hope you'll consider sharing your awesome-teacher insight on Christian Teacher, Public School this year.

All the best,

Back to School Sale at Brevity on Teachers Pay Teachers

Welcome to August, teachers!

I'm excited to announce the Back to School sale at my shop, Brevity, on Teachers Pay Teachers! It's the first time I've participated in this fun sale, and I'm offering a 20% discount off all items in my store! The sale runs for just two days, so I hope you'll swing by and check out all the great deals and steals August 1-2! Remember, TPT shops offer freebies, too, so do yourself a favor, stock up and make your life easier this school year.

What will you find at Brevity on TPT?

• Resources for teaching literary elements in Shakespeare using famous quotes (Common Core aligned!)
• Encouraging e-cards for teachers
• Lesson plan and resources for teaching about bullying prevention at all grade levels
• Leadership in Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose unit plan for high school (Common Core aligned!)
• Core-aligned literature and writing resources and more

8 Encouraging ECards for Teachers, Summer/Fall Collection

What else is new at Christian Teacher, Public School?

Dalene Parker (left) with Amy Ballard

I just got back from a wonderful visit with family in South Carolina and Kentucky. One of the added blessings of the trip was finally getting to meet my friend, author Dalene Vickery Parker, for the first time! Dalene and I talked about teaching, family, faith, and lots of other things over coffee at Due South Coffee in Taylors, SC. It was great to see her and talk with her instead of just exchanging emails and texts. 

If you haven't had a chance to read Dalene's books, please visit her on Amazon. Christian Teachers in Public Schools is a fantastic resource and an encouragement for the heart of the busy teacher. Words to Live By is a devotional focusing on one spirit-building word per week.

During my stay at my parents' home in Kentucky, my sister took me to an open mic at Etcetera Coffeehouse in Paducah. I got to read several poems from my chapbook, Landlocked. The room wasn't packed, but the crowd was great. And I highly recommend the coffee!

In other news, I decided to get off Facebook, so that means Christian Teacher, Public School is also off Facebook. You can still reach me by clicking on "Comments" below each post, or through my Web site, amyballard.com. Thanks for following!

I was recently challenged to organize a prayer walk to invite God's watchcare over staff and students at my school for the upcoming year. We'll see if my busy life can take that on, but in the meantime, let's all stop and pray right now for the new school year. I wish you all the best as you begin teaching soon!

Blessings,

Amy

Begin the New School Year With Boldness

". . .and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 5:19-20 NASB

The theme of this blog is upholding Christian teachers in public schools, who in some way are like Paul in chains: ambassadors for Christ who live and serve under restrictions placed upon them by worldly authorities. In our workplaces, we seek to live out the servanthood and love of Jesus, even though we are forbidden from verbally testifying of His salvation to those around us.

In the passage above, Paul at least was able to speak, and speak boldly, as the Spirit gave him utterance. That was the request he wrote to the believers at Ephesus, to pray that he would "make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel."

Not "that I will be released from these chains." Why complain about the chains? It was for the Gospel's sake that he wore them. He knew God would work despite them.

At the beginning of this new school year, I pray that God will use all of us to accomplish His purpose. I pray for boldness, not to utter the mystery of the Gospel, but to live the good news in our daily lives in the classroom and the break room and the hallways of our schools.

May our faces reflect the joy of sinners who have been saved by grace. May our hands give freely because we have been given much. May our ears be quick to listen and our feet quick to serve. When we speak, may it be with confidence that we are fulfilling God's call upon our lives to teach.

It's so tempting, while we're at it, to pray for an easy year. "Lord, let us have smooth sailing." But I think it's our responses to the tough times that allow our lights to shine before the unsaved most clearly. If we have smooth sailing all year, how will they know what God can do in a life surrendered to Him?

So please, dear Lord, let us shine as lights for you in a darkening world, even if it means we face difficult days ahead. You promise to walk beside us and uphold us. We submit ourselves to your teaching, that others may see you in us.

Blessings on your new school year, my friend.

Tis the Season for New School Supplies

8 Encouraging eCards for Teachers, Summer and Fall Collection

It's the middle of July, and you know what that means--back-to-school sales! Some people gripe that "It gets earlier every year. . ." like stores putting out Christmas decorations right after Halloween, but school supplies at rock-bottom prices are never out of season to teachers.

My husband and I recently took our four-year-old to pick out supplies from the list his kindergarten teacher sent home with us on screening night. Pencils, paints, crayons, markers, glue sticks in the cart. One kid down, one to go.

Even though it's my little guy's first year in school, I think I was more excited about the new supplies than he was. After all, some of us teachers may have secretly chosen our careers because of the school supplies.

I'm blessed to work in a school district where the classroom supply budget is what I consider generous. Shopping for supplies can still be a nightmare, though, as we try to stretch the dollar. And aren't we all looking for that one vendor that has everything we're looking for in a cute design at the right price?

I've purchased my classroom supplies from many different sources over the years, and I'm not sure I've found the best way to get the job done yet. One year I fell in love with a company's free-shipping-to-home feature, only to be frustrated when my items arrived in many installments, each with a separate invoice. I never did get an accurate read on which items had arrived and whether my total matched what I'd thought I'd spent. Even their customer service couldn't provide a totaled invoice.

Scented markers from Mr. Sketch

Fortunately, there aren't a lot of imperative supply needs in high school English. Much of the class work requires only lined filler paper and a pen or trusty number two pencil. I always stock up on 3 x 5 cards and smooth-writing pens (my luxury item!) and of course, Expo markers. And it wouldn't be Mrs. Ballard's room without the smelly markers, a holdover from when I taught kindergarten. We use them on big chart paper to draw Venn diagrams, character maps, thought webs, vocab charts, and everything in between.

This year, I also splurged and purchased a few DVDs for classroom use, including Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet, a must when studying British Romantic literature. And yes, even high school senior boys will watch it because the late Alan Rickman is a familiar face (and voice) from Die Hard and the Harry Potter movies.

What are your must-have school supplies to start the new year? Where do you buy them? Know of a steal we can all snatch up? Leave a comment to share.

Catch me Tuesday, July 12th in Twin Falls at the P20 Educator Conference: Reaching for New Heights. I'll be speaking on using Choose Your Own Adventure narrative techniques to teach creative writing. I'll also present Faith and the Public School Teacher. Hope to see you there!

Fun at Nursery School

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Christian teachers belong in public schools as a ray of sunlight in a darkening world, an example of the believer to a world that is seeking. They can't thrive without God's help, though. They need the Holy Spirit to guide and to go before them. And they need encouragement from fellow believers who know that the struggle is not in vain. That's why Christian Teacher, Public School is here. To offer encouragement and light for dark days.

If you agree with the message of this blog, won't you follow us by email? You can also follow the Christian Teacher, Public School board on Pinterest and find us on Facebook.

8 Encouraging eCards for Teachers, Summer and Fall Collection

Support this blog by shopping at Brevity on Teachers Pay Teachers, where I offer many freebies in addition to resources on bullying prevention, literary elements in Shakespeare, and classroom management. See my latest eCards for back to school!

You can also help support Christian Teacher, Public School by shopping with our affiliate links for excellent products from Dayspring Cards Inc. and Dover Publications. I don't advertise for companies I haven't used and loved for years. Right now, both companies are having summer sales. Dover is offering up to 75% off on summer clearance through July 25, and Dayspring creates a sense of suspense with their Secret Summer Sale (shh!!), where you can use code SUMMER30 to get 30% off their top ten summer gifts.

Best of all, you can share this blog with teacher friends. Thanks for reading and blessing me! Teachers need encouragement, and I hope this is a great place to find it.