Reflections on the Past School Year

Yesterday was our last day of school. I was honestly very grateful to see the end of this school year. It has had its moments of really tough this year and some bright and shining moments too. This past week was filled with quite a few of those really tough moments and felt like my stress level couldn't get much higher. So, yes, I am very happy to see this year end and to begin to dream new dreams for the next academic year.

As I reflected on some of those moments today (between the rare moments of rest I was able to capture in today's drama), I thought of a few of these school moments to share with the many of you who have walked alongside me in my 4th year in Ghana.

Really Tough

The stress of getting our school registered with Ghana Education Service

Completely switching over our curriculum

Seeing our older lowest performing students face the disappointment of changing their dreams and making goals to something more realistic and attainable (never want to be the one to crush dreams)

Bad test scores and GES expectations that don't make sense

Dealing with false rumors being spread by staff

Drama with teachers

Suspensions and lots and lots of student interventions

Drama with parents

BECE preparation

Issues with inappropriate discipline by teachers happening in the school

Seeing people make choices that will change their life simply because they truly don't understand Gods love

Inflation causing prices to almost triple

Stress

Bright and Shining

Completed third wing

Opening the 3's class...they are just so so so cute

Seeing God move in some of our teachers lives

One on ones with teachers and students

Receiving our GES registration

Madame Beatrice coming

Professor John

Cadets

Student of the Month

Co-op classes (which includes the Aglers, Beebe's, Ochs, and Aubrey Claire)

Josi and Sarah

Bridge to Literacy (with Janet)

Stanley

Tyna

Some life giving conversations with some of our kids

Gradual change in some teachers classrooms like with Sir Wisdom and Madame Jennifer

New bulletin boards bringing color to the school

Murals by my sister, Andrea, a friend from Las Vegas, and YGAP

Learning from the book "The 3 Signs of a Miserable Job" and "Leading on Empty"

Impact One, the Family Assistance Program, Child Champions, and CHE

All in all, a very blessed year. 

Thank you for walking with us, with me, this past academic year. Looking forward to beginning to dream again for next year.