Acceptance Leading to Growth

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Acceptance Leading to Growth

  • February 24, 2021
  • Posted by: Caitlin McCallum
  • Category: Wow Story
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Wow Wednesday Stories from the Classroom

This is my 3rd year as the LSEM part time teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School in Saginaw, MI — also known as Frankentrost. Like many of our Lutheran schools, Immanuel has a smaller student population. All of their classrooms have two grades with one teacher. However, enrollment has been on a steady increase the past couple of years. In fact, they are finishing up a building project, as their daycare has taken over much of their classroom space.

How has Immanuel been able to grow? There are a number of factors, including the success of their daycare. Another reason they have been able to grow is because with the help of LSEM Immanuel has more confidently accepted students with disabilities or learning difficulties, and the Immanuel teachers have felt more confident working with these students. As the LSEM teacher, I am usually only there teaching for a half day once a week, but over the years the teachers have come for advice in the classroom so my impact is felt more than just the half day I am physically present. One of the students came to Immanuel about 4 years ago as a 1st grader and was struggling at his previous school to stay in school. He is now in 5th grade and though he still has some struggles, his attendance is very consistent and he loves being a part of the Immanuel family.

The “new normal” of home teaching has been a definite challenge for all including those of us at Immanuel.  I continue to reach out to my students and miss seeing them each week. But God is good and I look forward to our getting back together again when we can.

~written by Lynn Zeddies, LSEM teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School in Saginaw, MI