Here we are at the beginning of another school year. Summer has evaporated and it is time to teach this new crop of students.
When I get into my vehicle on the first day and pull out of the garage, I begin to sing a Gene Autry song: “I’m Back in the Saddle Again.” The last couple of years I have printed out the song and read the lyrics the night before school began. It’s time to get back in the saddle of teaching once again.
A new school year always brings about some excitement with a twist of anxiousness. I want to greet my students and get things started off on the right foot. I want to make the best impression on them, because I know a first impression is a lasting impression. There is also so much to do at the beginning of a new school year; it is easy to get overwhelmed.
The beginning of a new school year also brings lots of meetings with a new list of expectations. The lists never get shorter and the expectation is that we will do all the new things and continue to do all the old things, too. Rarely is anything taken away from teachers to do, it seems that the pile only grows, which is another reason that the beginning of another year can feel so overwhelming.
The other day I was feeling the pressure of all the things I was expected to do. I was sitting in the front of my room and I looked around at all the empty chairs and thought about the fact that soon they would be filled again with my students. That’s when I was reminded of a video our principal showed us about keeping our eye on the ball. I am in the building to teach and educate students; that has to be my focus.
I may feel like I can’t get everything done that is expected of me, but I have to keep working toward the goal. One thing I can do is make sure I am ready for my students. That helped me regain my focus and get things done.
It is the beginning of another school year and I am requesting your prayers. Teachers, students, administrators, and all the other people who make a school work need your prayers. When you put about a thousand people in one building it is hard to keep the focus on the ball all the time. It seems there are always things that distract us and can therefore keep us from our goal in that building.
The reason I am asking for your prayers is that I believe that prayer changes circumstances. Prayer has the power to change people. Prayer can turn situations completely around. Prayer can bring peace, wisdom, guidance, understanding, vision, purpose… and the list goes on. I believe God listens to our prayers and I believe He is moved to affect situations and circumstances because we pray. So I am inviting and requesting your prayers.
If you are a parent or grandparent, pray that your child will have the right attitude and behavior to learn. Pray for each of your child’s teachers. These adults have been given charge over your child and you want them to have a positive influence on your child. Pray for the coaches and club sponsors who often have a powerful impact on your child. I encourage you to pray for each of the people who will influence your child.
Pray for your child’s classmates. Ask God to guide them as they make new friends. Pray that they will choose wisely. Ask God to bless the principals and guidance counselors who have the opportunity to shape your child’s future. Pray for the bus drivers and those high school students who drive to school for His protection as they travel. There is so much more I could include, but I think you are getting the picture, I am requesting that you pray for this school year. I openly admit that I need your prayers so I will be a godly example in my sphere of influence.
I am encouraging you to pray for the education of your children and the next generation. We need God’s divine guidance to do an excellent job. Educators also need the love and support of the community to get the job done.
It takes everyone: community, families, school personnel, and students working together to make a good school year. With your prayers and God’s help, I believe it can happen.

Doug Creamer teaches Marketing at East Davidson High School. His website is located at www.dougcreamer.com Contact him at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041 or email doug@dougcreamer.com