The school year is creeping up on me. Next week I’ll be running around with that stressed-up-to-the-eyeballs look on my face. In another new assignment with new clients and co-workers. For now, I’m trying to soak in the feelings of relaxation, gratitude, and happiness that are filling me today.
As I’m preparing for the school year, I’m thinking about a few things that are important to me mentally and spiritually. I thought I’d share what was on my heart with you.
Care for the flock willingly, not grudgingly. Sometimes (say…around… February) I get the middle of the year grumps. The paperwork gets to be too much and the actual therapy becomes something I stop looking forward to. These sweet children are entrusted to me and I want to keep my positive attitude even when it’s difficult.
In everything set an example. Working with co-workers. Working with difficult clients. Working with difficult families. I hope to remember to set an example that shows integrity and His love for everyone I meet in my day.
Let your light shine, so they can see your good works and give the glory to Him. Do my best, in a way that gives Him the glory. Be a team player. Be generous. Go the extra mile with a humble spirit.
Don’t give in to worry. Work on decreasing stress and worry. Be present in the moment and do not worry about other problems. Pray about it as much as I talk about it.
Use your gifts. Find my gifts within my team. Spend time and nurture those gifts within a team. Encourage others to nurture their own gifts as well.
As I prepare for next week, I know it’s just the beginning of a long year. The best way for me to beat the burnout throughout the year is to stay mentally and spiritually healthy. I’m hoping these positive prayers stay with me throughout the year.
, 
While you’re here… here is an image I snagged from Pinterest that sums up how I’m feeling. I can’t thank you enough for supporting me during the big Back to School TpT sale. I know most people don’t find a job they love. I, on the other hand, found not only that but a job I can mash up with graphic design/crafting to turn into a second job. I love being able to share with you. I can’t believe where this journey has taken me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your purchases! If I could hug each of you I would!
Ok, tell me how you’re preparing for this year. Do you have goals for the year? Are you praying? Doing yoga? Mediating? Laying by the pool? Tell me what you’re doing to prepare.
If you want to download the PDF of the scripture, you can grab it here.
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Thank you for this heartfelt post. Have a great year!
Thanks Jenni! You too!
This is such a refreshing and positive post! With school a week away, I find anxieties creeping up on me about what is ahead. I always pray for compassion, confidence and competence in my services and interactions with the kids, parents and staff. I journal most nights about blessings to help remind myself when I felt God’s presence during the day. A good run after work usually helps me to recap my day and if all else fails, I call my mom for her listening ear!
Oh, those moms are such good listeners! Thanks for your comment!
This is exactly what I needed to see this morning! Its funny all the avenues God uses to tell you what you need to hear. Thanks for sharing!
I started school back last week (multi-track year round goodness), so that stressed up to my eye balls look is me! I prepped for the year with a mix of laying by the pool reading (for fun) and lamination domination (as we lovingly refer to bulk therapy material prep)!
Thank you for this! I will re-read this many times throughout the year…
Thank you so much for sharing! I need these reminders, especially this year! I have 27 years experience as a school-based SLP – 23 in the district I just left. I was given an opportunity to move into a position in another school district, which I accepted. I am nervous, excited, and honestly feeling a little overwhelmed at times. The verses you posted help ground me in what is fundamentally important in life! You mention your gratitude towards TpT and the online SLP community…I also feel grateful as these resources have helped refresh my love of the profession and given me the chance to streamline many areas of therapy. I love seeing how creative and organized SLPs are all across the country! Thanks again for all your hard work and efforts in this regard.
I LOVE this post and am certain it was written “just for me!”
Thank you Jenna, The focus on the students and how/why we serve them is a great reflection this time of year. I really appreciate this post. Puts everything into perspective.
As a mom, I just want to say thanks for all you do as SLPs. I know it is hard work and all 3 of my kids have needed speech therapy to some degree. My son the most, he is 5 and starting kindergarten and not always easy to work with. The SLP at my kids school is amazing. She has always been so helpful and is so on top of things. I appreciate so much what therapists do for kids. Keep up the good work!! Out there are many very grateful parents who hopefully make up for the difficult ones.
Thanks Jaimee! 99% of our families are so wonderful. We honestly wouldn’t do what we do if we didn’t love each of our students. Even our difficult parents are often just doing their very best for their babies! Thank you for such a nice note! Hoping your little guy has a wonderful K year!
Jenna,
This is exactly what I need to read and re-read. Would you please make a copy of the graphic with the scriptures available on your blog or TpT store. I would love to print and post it to refresh myself throughout the year!
Thanks for the wonderful post!
Thank you for these verses! I’ve been a speech therapist for 15 years, but only school based for one year! Last year was great, but so hard! Our school is under construction and it’s going to be a MESS! I’m not even sure I will have a space. I was on my knees yesterday committing my year to The Lord. I want to be an inspiration to others and help my kids make improvements. Your ideas really helped me a lot last year. You are making a difference!
Thanks for these reminders! I needed to hear about not worrying. These scriptures were written to help us through those rough patches. Good luck to a new year!!
Thank you for this, Jenna! Such great verses to remind me of the Truth when I can feel bogged down in the tasks of the day. Blessings!
Laurel
Thank you so much for this post. I’m going to print it out and keep it in my office. It will be a great reminder for me! God bless! 🙂
Jenna, I too am experiencing your same feelings as I begin a different assignment this year. It is nice to know that we are not alone and all in this together. I have been an SLP for some time now but still get “new assignment” jitters. Your products on TPT have helped me to organize my frantic brain! Wishing all of us positive reflections as we begin this new year 🙂
Wow Jenna! Thank you. I’m printing to keep on my desk. I try to pray about most of these things throughout the year, but now it will be great to also read some verses to pray and stay focused. You are so sweet. Praying for a great transition and happy year in your new job.
Thank you for such a positive post! This is just what I needed to hear after my first day school! 🙂
Thanks for the great post! Just what I needed as I get ready to start another school year!
Thank you so much. I am going to print this and put it by my table
Thank you! Blessings to you and your kiddos! There is a plan….!
In a world where everything seems to be so topsy-turvy, it’s certainly encouraging and wonderful to see that each of us is not alone…that there are others who are not only “believers” but ones who “do” what they believe they are called to do. Thanks, Jenna, for this post that would encourage us to pray for one another throughout the school year!
Thank you for the “speech” verses and a different way to look at what God has blessed me with. Our gift to the students, parents, guardians, faculty stretches beyond the scope of what many perceive. I look forward to looking back at these as the year progresses and I need reminders of why I do what I do!
Thank you for the wonderful post. As I begin serving kids in the schools this upcoming year, I mentally and spiritually recharge myself by remembering that I’ve been giving this gift to help others.
Thank you so much for these verses!! I love having the perspective that I can use my God-given talents even in the public schools and these will definitely help keep that in mind. Love all of your creations!!
Thank you for your inspirational quotes from Scripture and your personal thoughts. I too get anxious at the beginning of a new school year since I work in a very demanding private school. It made me feel I am not alone.
I would love a copy of the scripture as well! Beautiful reminder!!!
The link to download them is listed in the post above Lauren 🙂
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. It was a much needed reminder that God has placed me where I need to be as it has been a very stressful year thus far. May God continue to bless you this year!
I needed these sweet reminders this morning! This post has blessed me so much <3
I know that this is an old post, but it was everything that my heart needed to find this morning. Thank you for being Jesus’ voice to me as I feel like I am struggling to stay afloat with my insurance frustration, admin/paperwork, and wanted to go the extra mile for my “flock”. <3