Don’t laugh; but I have had several people ask for some “school house” words of encouragement. So I am going
to try and find some for you and at the same time for me. I too am
struggling with the lack of motivation to get ready for this school year. So
hopefully with God’s help, we can all gain some perspective and get our "mojo" back.
It is August, time for school
again and I wish I was a little more excited to hear the beautiful sounds of
children running around playing and laughing. The excitement of a new school
year has seemed to dwindle down to nothing more than stress, anxiety and dread.
Make no mistake, I would not choose any other profession than being a teacher.
I find so much joy in the children that fill my classroom year after year and I
could never imagine having to give it up. Yet as each year comes and goes, the
changes become more intense. My responsibilities can become overwhelming. I can
convince myself that it is more than I am capable of handling at times. More and more
rules and expectations are put into place and frankly, I spend more time
thinking about the long list of things I must get finished instead of enjoying
the small moments of seeing a child smile when they learn something new. I am
determined to change that this year.
The 2012-2013 school year is
going to be full of many challenges and along with that comes the uncertainty
of how I will be able to effectively balance my career and my family while
keeping my focus on "things above." I have been given the title of
teacher but I must confess, I am just a student. A perfectionist by nature,
change is difficult. I love things the way they are. I sit in the same seat in
meetings with coworkers. I use the same pens to grade papers. I place my desks
in the same pattern year after year. Yes, I can be a bit difficult when it
comes to change; but I am willing. So this year I find myself having to embrace
another change: Common Core Georgia Performance Standards.
I am passionate about education
and support changes that improve a student’s educational experience; but I am
firm in my beliefs that the answers are much simpler than revamping the
curriculum or enforcing more accountability. There is a missing link that
continues to send the public school system into a bottomless pit. The struggle
has become increasingly difficult to piece together a failing education system
ever since we removed God from public schools. So politicians throw
another “quick fix” into place. Regardless of my feelings, I am ready to learn
all that I can about these new changes because in the end, the benefit is for
my students. I have reason to be concerned however, that it is going to be a
long and stressful year because of the ever increasing demands that accompany
this new “quick fix.” As a loving and caring teacher, I fall into the trap of
survival mode and I do whatever it takes to meet the demands placed on me by
those who do not know the children that sit in my classroom. These children are
not identified by a CRCT score or a passing grade by this teacher; just as my
God does not identify me by my works. We are ALL identified as God's children
and He needs to be at the center of ALL of our lives...the missing link indeed.
I am confident that the only
thing needed in any of our lives is a relationship with Jesus. I know that
while I cannot teach my students about Jesus and that He is the real teacher in
my classroom, I can remind myself that “whatever I do, I need to do it for the
Lord.” Maybe I cannot introduce Him to my students in the way that He should
be; but my day to day actions will be just as effective. I will be the student
and I will lean on God to give me the wisdom to know how to be the kind of
teacher that each student needs and deserves. I will survive this school year.
For those teachers that are where I am and
have "lost that loving feeling" I have some words of wisdom from a
mighty force (no not Tom Cruise), words that God placed in a handy dandy guide
book that I will use as MY textbook each day before my students arrive at
school. I hope that these words help you find your “mojo” and the encouragement
that you need to begin this school year with a clean heart and open mind; as
well as a smile on your face and a skip in your step. Those children that come
through your door will certainly need to see it if you want them to see Jesus
living inside you. Just because I cannot teach my students about Jesus does not
mean that I cannot make Him visible in my day to day attitude/interaction with
my students/coworkers/bosses/parents/etc. We are in this together and our God
has already given us the Staff Handbook that trumps all others.
If you and I are willing to abide by the terms, God will bless this
school year beyond our imagination.
1. Strive to
be the best Christian possible. God called you to be a teacher. The Hebrew word
for teacher is "Rabbi." They called Jesus "Rabbi." Just the
word is breathtaking and God chose me for such a task as this that I might use
my talent to teach children. It was not
by chance that you and I were placed at the very spot we are in. Understand
that you are where you are for a reason.
2. God's words tell us that we must be
missionaries and "go into the world and share the good news." Well I
have great news for you...if you are a teacher, you are a missionary. In fact,
you have the power to inspire, love, and build some pretty amazing children
just by allowing God to transform your focus. Yes it is tiring and sometimes
frustrating but think of how patient God is with us day after day. We have
breaks and our school year lasts no longer than 160-180 days a year. God has us
24 hours, 7 days a week and He never leaves our side...even when we are bad.
3. "Keep
your thoughts captive and obedient to Christ." When we become disgruntled,
discouraged and discontented, we become an easy target for Satan's evil
schemes. We will have great days and there will be some that we will be glad
are over; but it is important to take a deep breath and maybe even a few
minutes to sit in silence seeking God. Maybe you need to have lunch in your
room by yourself. That is okay from time to time. Just remember that when you
do, seek God and ask Him to wrap His arm around your shoulder and His hand over
your mouth so that the rest of the day does not end badly. This is something I will
be doing daily. :)
4. Bring a bible and/or devotional to keep at school
(if you work with me and you need one or both, come see me and I will get you
what you need) to keep at school and on your desk permanently. I don’t encourage you to do this for any other
reason but so that it is visible...especially to you. A phone app won’t work...you will be too quick to respond to a text or play a quick game of Words with Friends. Plus out of
sight; out of mind. By placing your bible on your desk (your personal area) you
are placing God in your classroom. It is your right and a step in faith. When
you need it, if it is handy...you will read it. It will give you the answers
you need when you are struggling to hold it together at school.
5.
Respect your bosses. We may not agree with them or
how they handle things; but my
obligation to God also means that I work hard and avoid the "work room gossip".
Remember that “our earthly authorities” are ordained God. You can be
assured that God will hold them accountable for their leadership efforts;
so we do not need to take it upon ourselves to bash the character or
speak unkind words about those
that God has allowed to lead us. When we fail to respect and obey our bosses then we are
walking in disobedience to God.
6. Pray daily and all day for your bosses,
coworkers, students and their parents. Yes, even the
most difficult ones. Pray that God will help you develop loving and
caring relationships with everyone that you come in contact with. You need their support and they
need yours. You never know what storms are raging in the lives of your students and their families so try to be understanding,
forgiving and accepting. Trust me, you will not teach your
students to be responsible in one year. It is a life-long process, so let
them mess up and let them see what love and forgiveness looks like. Who cares if they
forgot their homework a few times. There is usually a bigger reason for
their forgetfulness. Remember the plate you carry as a teacher and how
stressed you will get...let the little things go. Forgive those children and
their "normal" tendencies to be irresponsible
and forgetful. Thank you Jesus that you still forgive me over and over...I still haven't learned the
art of responsibility and remembering all the things I am supposed to.
7.
Last but certainly not least, “Whatever you do, do it for the Lord.” Remember that you are the
student, not the teacher.
In his own words, Thomas Jefferson
summed things up perfectly on June 26, 1822 in a letter he had written. He
said, “Had the doctrines of Jesus been preached always as pure as they came
from his lips, the whole civilized world would now have been Christian”. Since
this did not happen, we must be disciples and go into the world (aka school)
and share the good news, by showing those around us the characteristics of
Jesus (btw...those characteristics are adjectives-a skill we must teach our
students).
Good luck and may God be with you on
your journey this year.
