The Christian EducatorA publication of North Valley Baptist Schools
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A Balanced Schedule
By Cheryl Harter
Webster's Dictionary defines balance in this way: "to arrange so that one set of elements equals another."
There have been times this year that I do feel as though the "balancing act" may come crashing down on my head, but I know that God is able and willing to guide me in everything I do and say!
This past August when I was asked to teach the third grade, I started a new adventure along with my family of seven. I had always planned that I would not work outside our home for at least a few more years; however, the Lord provided this opportunity and for the first time in twenty-three years, I am back in the classroom.
Two parents working, five children (seven through seventeen years of age), church, soccer practice, basketball practice, games, hockey practice, cheerleading practice, play practice, homework, projects, friends, meals, laundry (my favorite), etc. -- this is where the balance comes in! I hate to use the old cliché, "never a dull moment," but at times, it seems very much like this. My husband and I have always felt that life is so short, and we want to be very involved in the lives of our children. Even though I have only been teaching a couple of months, there has emerged a pattern to the week that I would like to continue.
First, I rarely take work home with me. This provides the whole evening and weekends for my family and their activities. Secondly, I choose carefully the items that get logged into the grade book and computer system. These would include test, quizzes, review assignments, projects, and a few select papers each week. Thirdly, I make sure that all grading is done for that week by Friday afternoon. I do not want to come back to papers on Monday morning. Lastly, it is very important to me that I have my lesson plans done on Thursday for the following week -- very important! This helps me feel good about Friday and the weekend to come.
Most importantly, is the need to constantly lean on the Lord in order to have a balanced life. The prayers of family and friends are a definite must! Every week, every day, I look for ways to help the schedules of my family, class, and church run more smoothly.
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About the Author
Cheryl Harter is the third grade teacher for North Valley Baptist Schools. She graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in 1985, with a B.S. in Elementary Education. While at MBBC she enjoyed playing Volleyball and Softball all four years at the inter-collegiate level. After college, Cheryl taught at San Francisco Christian School in the second, third, and fourth grades. She is married with five wonderful children, all of whom currently attend NVBS. Cheryl and her husband have been at North Valley Baptist Church for twenty-one years. The last ten of those years, Cheryl has had the privilege and joy of playing piano and teaching in the Primary Bus Kids Church.
