By Doug Creamer
Back to School
It is time for students to head back to school. I remember as a kid that the first day of school was the day after Labor Day and the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Sadly, Jerry Lewis has passed away. Many of today’s youth have no idea of what a wonderful thing he did each year for Muscular Dystrophy. When I was growing up, we used to watch parts of his marathon show every year, mainly to see all the stars who would stop by and offer their support.
The next day was always the first day of school. Did your Mom make you take first day of school pictures? We always got some new clothes for the first day of school. We would stand on our front steps and hope our mother would include our heads in the picture. Most years we had good first day of school pictures.
Then it was off to the bus stop, where eight to ten kids gathered. Buses did not stop at every kid’s house. We had to walk to specific places and wait. On rainy days, the mother closest to the stop would open her garage door and we waited there for the bus. On cold winter days, we just stood out there and froze. Things have really changed.
Today, many parents or grandparents drop off and pick up their children from school. Naturally, many of the high school students drive themselves to school. I remember driving to school. There was a church in front of our school that allowed students to get parking permits. I always chose to park my car down there. It was just about a block walk and much better for getting in and out of school.
Regardless of how kids arrive, it is time to crank back up and begin the process of educating students once again. At the community college, we work year around. We have a nice break around the 4th of July and a great break at Christmas. I can relate to back to school a little as we just got a new batch of students a couple of weeks ago. When we start over with a new group there is lots of planning that goes into preparing for the new group of students. For 34 years I worked hard to make my classroom inviting and welcoming to students.
The real power to affect and change a student’s destiny doesn’t come through inspiring speakers, quotes, Power Points, or all the good planning that teachers will do. The real power comes through prayer. I have always prayed for schools, teachers, staff, and administrators. I want to encourage you to join me in praying for our school systems, including colleges. Your prayers can and will make the difference in whether the schools in your area will have a successful school year or one where teachers fail to reach students and change lives.
I believe in education. I believe teachers can help students understand the past so we won’t repeat the same mistakes again. I believe teachers can help students realize that math is vital to surviving in our society. I believe teachers can inspire minds to imagine where technology can take us. I believe teachers can help students discover the exciting world of science and how good health is within their reach. I believe teachers can help students discover outstanding writers who will take students on wild adventures. Every occupation in the world requires teachers to lead the way.
So I petition and ask you once again for your prayers. Your prayers can help students focus on learning. Your prayers can help to keep our schools safe. Your prayers can open students’ eyes to possibilities they never imagined. Your prayers and encouragement will keep students in school and engaged in the learning process. Your prayers will strengthen teachers as we endeavor to impart our knowledge. Your prayers make a difference.
I want to encourage you to pray for everyone in your educational system. Pray for the bus drivers and cafeteria workers all the way up to the superintendent. Pray for your kids, the neighborhood kids, your grandkids, for all the students who will be returning to schools…including private and home-schoolers. Teachers need your prayers if we hope to have a positive influence on the students who will fill our classrooms. I love being a teacher and the opportunity it gives me to influence lives. Let’s all hope and pray it will be a great year!
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
