August | 2019 | edUconnections

Blog welcome here case

Pencils sharpened in their case.

Bells are ringing, let’s make haste.

School’s beginning, dreams to chase.

All are welcome here.

To SMSU’s novice and veteran teacher candidates…we welcome you to campus.

Your pencils are sharpened and they accompany your textbooks and computers and everything else in your case (or better known around here as your backpack).

Bells may not be ringing in the university hallways but they are ringing on your phone alarms because you are now in charge of getting yourself up in the morning and to class on time. So, wake up, drink some coffee (or a diet dew and/or diet coke or better yet, water), and hustle to class. Don’t forget to grab a Pop Tart® on your way out of your dorm or apartment. 😉

School officially begins today. Show up for class, be on time, use your planner, work hard at your studies, give your all, reflect then change if needed, stay ahead of the game, and chase your dream of becoming an outstanding teacher. More importantly, please know… all are welcome here!

Blog welcome here diverse

We’re part of a community.

Our strength is our diversity.

A shelter from adversity.

All are welcome here.

Welcome to the School of Education’s Community of Learners where we are a community of professors and teacher candidates immersed in excellence together through active learning, researching, teaching, reflecting, and leading.

There is strength in SMSU’s diverseness. All professors have their own style of instructing just as all of you have your own style of learning. We all have our differences, and yet we are all on the same team. #teameducator

Yes, together everyone achieves more.

It will be the same across campus. EVERY professor will instruct differently. Respect this diverseness. Never hesitate to ask questions if you are struggling. All professors are here to help you through difficulties and hardships. Trust us when we say…we have all struggled. It’s human nature. So, PLEASE, ask for help if needed because all are welcome here!

You have a place here.

You have a space here.

You are welcome here.

Welcome everyone. You are welcome here at SMSU!! Have a marvelous 2019 – 2020 school year. 🙂

Blog Welcome Gold Rush

Stay Calm & Welcome!
Profs Dr. Wendy. & Dr. V.

(We highly recommend you read the charming children’s book titled All are Welcome written by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman, 2018).

We walked into the quiet, dimly lit room where he lay peacefully with his eyes closed and his hands folded, resting on his chest. He looked as though he was “not afraid and his sleep was sweet.” ~Proverbs 3:24

We pulled up chairs as near to him as possible. I gently laid my head on his shoulder, placed my hand upon his hand, and while my tears flowed, I softly sang into his ear…

God be with you till we meet again,
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you,
God be with you till we meet again.

Blog dads hands

That was 6 years ago when I said my final goodbye to my dad. He went home to Heaven as humbly as he lived his life on Earth. My dad was such a positive role model for me. He certainly showed me how to live my life humbly and honestly and lovingly. He handed down so many life lessons, and I am forever grateful to him for that.

At a concert a few nights ago, my husband and I heard Christian song writer and story teller, Mark Schultz, sing his song called Handed Down.

This song brought back fond memories of my dad. So naturally after the concert, my hubby and I shared memories about all those things that have been handed down to us. Things such as his grandpa’s old clock, my dad’s Coca Cola doll, my great-grandma’s oil lamp, and my mom’s gorgeous diamond wedding ring.

As Mark sings in his song…

All through these years I guess I’ve learned a thing or two
You can’t put a price on things that mean the most to you.

My husband and I also chatted about the greatest gifts handed down to us by those we love…our morals and our values. We were taught to…

Respect our elders
Treat others the way we want to be treated
Never forget where we came from
Show gratitude and grace
Always apologize when we’ve done wrong
Work hard at everything we do
Mind our manners
Grant patience
Be kind
Give and give some more
Love and support our family
Never judge anyone
Grip firmly when shaking a hand
Forgive
Give hugs
Say please and thank you
Love and serve others
Live graciously
Stick up for what we believe is right
Never do anything we would regret if Jesus were to show up while we were doing it
Smile
Fight hard against life’s battles
Be all in with arms open wide
Go to church
Put Jesus first in all we do

So you see…it is not the things we can buy that are the most important to us. With a little tweaking of Mark Schultz’s words in his song, this is what Dean and I believe matters most…

We finally woke up and we took a look around
Seeing the things that mean the most to us we’ve found
Are life’s lessons handed down.

Thank you for a great concert, Mark, and for nudging us to take a trip down memory lane. 😉

Blog Mark Schultz

Thank you, dad! I am who I am today because of all you’ve handed down to me. Fingers crossed that we, too, are handing down some amazing life lessons to our children and grandchildren. ❤

Daddance