I found this several years ago. I don't remember where.
You know you're a school teacher if...
You can carry on 7 different conversations at once with ease.
You know what "phat" really means.
Rainy days and Mondays really do get you down.
Practically nothing can embarrass you.
April is the loooongest month .... and June, July, and August are the shortest.
You can hem a pair of jeans with a stapler and duct tape.
You get gifts with apples on them and people give you what-nots by the basket full.
You know how to be a referee, a psychiatrist, a family counselor, a traffic cop, a SWAT team member, a drill sergeant, a janitor, a family physician, and this is all before 9 am!!!!!!!
You keep coming to work because you KNOW you're making a difference, even if you don't see it right away!
If you are a teacher or married to a teacher, as I am, you are probably smiling and shaking your head in agreement!
On the public school campus I believe lifestyle evangelism opens doors that the devil cannot shut. Every teacher must do as she or he feels led. And each school district is different. When I was in Indonesia I was introduced to a special group of young missionaries. Their group is called YWAM which stands for "Youth With A Mission." The YWAM motto : “To know Christ and make Him known” sums up the Christian life quite well. This is our privilege as ambassadors for Christ -- make Christ known wherever we work. I am not talking about preaching. The administration pays you to teach not preach. We do not have to be a preacher or youth leader to be Jesus to our students and fellow workers. In fact, I dare say God does not want you to preach to your students or co-workers.
Jesus Christ called you to be an educator. You must obey the command to make Him known through the channel of teacher. But the public school system is not always friendly toward the Bible or prayer; however, there are changes coming that are promising. I found a joint statement about the teaching profession and the place of religion in the class room. It was endorsed by groups as diverse as The American Association of School Administrators, American Jewish Comm., Anti-defamation League, and The National Association Of Evangelicals. Part of that document stated, “Public schools may not inculcate nor inhibit religion. They must be places where religion and religious convictions are treated with fairness and respect. Public schools uphold the First Amendment when they protect the religious liberty of rights of students of all faiths or none.” The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .”
I found an example of seeds of promise planted years ago in an old court ruling. In the 1960s school prayer case that ruled against state-sponsored prayer and Bible reading, the U. S. Supreme Court justice Tome Clark wrote, “It might well be said that one’s education is not complete without a study of comparative religion or history of religion and its relationship to the advancement of civilization. It certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities.” Pendulums swing as pendulums do. In America the pendulum swung far to the side against the introduction of spiritual matters into the public school. But everyone is coming to the realization that you cannot expect people to teach as though religion does not exist. Every young child believes in God until some adult tells them otherwise. So, to act as though there is no God is ridiculous. An educated person cannot be ignorant of the bible and its most basic contents.
What can we do as educators who profess faith in Christ?
First, and foremost, pray. Prayer is the golden key that unlocks the treasure house of God’s blessings. “You have not because you ask not.“ For what or whom should we pray for? Pray for,
1. The student that has special needs;
2. The co-worker who irritates you;
3. The parent who comes in ranting and raging;
4. The administration and school board;
5. Ephesians 6:18 tells us, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” Pray with other teachers (always in keeping with our administration's policies). Pray for other teachers and for specific needs (always in the strictest confidentiality). We need to P.U.S.H. -- Pray Until SomethingHappens.
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, said, “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” Well, I want to change it around a bit and ask for “one hundred praying teachers” with the qualities Wesley listed. The devil himself could not halt such a powerful and overwhelming army!
Second, we need to be people given to principled living. How do we do that?
First, we need professionalism: To be a teacher who makes a difference for Christ we must be on top of our game.
1. A disorganized teacher will be eaten alive by anyone who wants to discredit him or her. Be organized before any of this stuff comes up; work on your known weaknesses!
2. Your best defense against people who will falsely accuse you of “bringing religion into the classroom” is to be an effective teacher.
3. Don’t even tell them you’re a Christian if you’re constantly pushing the teacher dress code to the limits or missing deadlines or arriving late at meetings. One of my favorite stories from the life of Alexander the Great illustrates this point. Alexander was visiting a hospitable tent. He saw one soldier who was not physically hurt and the doctors explained that the man’s name was Alexander and he was afraid to fight. Alexander talked with the man. He asked if he was hurt and needed food or water. The man’s voice trembled as he explained that he was afraid. Alexander stood looking at the man then he said, “They tell me we share the same name.” “Yes,” the man said rising a bit. Alexander said bluntly, “Soldier, change your attitude or change your name!”
The second way we practice principled living is be enthusiasm. Ephesians 6:7 reads, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.” Do your work as though Christ were watching your every action; Speak as though Christ were listening to every word. Indeed, He watches and listens.
I am a para-educator, so power in the class room or building is not something to which I have access. Still, I need to be careful to practice the principle of servant-hood. Jesus came into the world to be a minister to others. What we do as educators, and educators who are Christian more specifically, calls on us to serve and not be served. Philippians 2:5-8 reminds us of our Lord's servant-hood: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6)Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7)But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8)And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." When is it that most problems begin in the class room or the building among staff? It is when people are consumed by what they want. When we become selfish and consumed by our own agenda conflict arises. This is not the heart of a servant.
The new school year is upon us. Summer is passed and Autumn soon comes into view. This year holds many unknowns. One thing that we do know is that our Lord goes before us and is preparing the way. Let's trust Him explicitly to help us, our students and our co-workers. May the Lord bless us with a year filled with His presence and His grace. Have a great year in the Lord!
Help me to be a fine teacher,
to keep peace in the classroom,
peace between my students and myself,
to be kind and gentle
to each and every one of my students.
Help me to be merciful to my students,
to balance mercy and discipline
in the right measure for each student,
to give genuine praise as much as possible,
to give constructive criticism
in a manner that is palatable to my students.
Help me to remain conscientious
enough to keep my lessons always interesting,
to recognize what motivates each of my students,
to accept my students' limitations
and not hold it against them.
Help me not to judge my students harshly,
to be fair to all,
to be a good role model,
but most of all, Lord, help me
to show Your love to all of my students. Amen.
~author: Olga de Juana
