Over the past few years, I have found myself amid an educational debate, one that I would rather not be involved in. In my work, I have been blessed to work with people from three main categories: those who believe strongly in homeschooling, those who support Christian education, and those who feel called to public education. I belong to a fourth group.
In many of my conversations with friends, I hear their laments that they feel judged, and I have most certainly heard these insensitive comments myself. The truth is, it's just as easy to make generalizations about public school teachers and public schools as it is about parents who choose to homeschool. Both are inappropriate and unfair.
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Sunday, October 2, 2011
One of Us
If you sat down and looked your favorite teachers in the eye, they would most likely tell you that their worst year of teaching was their first and that, of all college courses, they learned the most during their student teaching.
I frequently wonder what happened to those poor students I taught in that year and a half. They were really guinea pigs who taught me a lot more than what I taught them.
I frequently wonder what happened to those poor students I taught in that year and a half. They were really guinea pigs who taught me a lot more than what I taught them.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Messiah Complex
During my teaching years, I was blessed to work with well over 1,200 students. Those students have now grown up to be engineers, teachers, business managers, dads, moms, and yes, even fast food workers. Even though the great majority of those students grew up to become productive members of society, others have struggled.
No one argues that teachers can sometimes predict the outcome of a student's life. Socioeconomic factors, academic performance, and behavior often hint at the student's future, but not always.
I remember being surprised when one summer, after paying the Soil Conservation District to come out and plant a grove of trees, I watched one particular student outwork the others around him. I was shocked. The student who had trouble even sitting still at his desk was working harder than the rest. He seemed to appreciate the physical labor.
At the same time, some students who seemed to have limitless possibilities before them wound up struggling through adult life, whether it was with alcohol, drugs, or the law.
The main reason that I quit teaching was that I was simply burned out: exhausted, overwhelmed, and badly in need of a break. I realized that I couldn't save enough kids, no matter how great my intentions were, and that unfulfilled desire wore this teacher out.
Do you notice a little problem there? It's too easy when working in a service profession to forget who's in charge, and it certainly wasn't me! People are saved through Jesus Christ, not through Mrs. V. or any other well-meaning, hardworking teacher.
I wish I would have spent less time thinking about giving up and more time giving my students up in prayer.
Today I'm praying for all those students, that they may find lives full of meaning and blessings and that they may recognize that they each have a calling to fulfill. For any former students who may be reading this, thanks for the memories.
No one argues that teachers can sometimes predict the outcome of a student's life. Socioeconomic factors, academic performance, and behavior often hint at the student's future, but not always.
I remember being surprised when one summer, after paying the Soil Conservation District to come out and plant a grove of trees, I watched one particular student outwork the others around him. I was shocked. The student who had trouble even sitting still at his desk was working harder than the rest. He seemed to appreciate the physical labor.
At the same time, some students who seemed to have limitless possibilities before them wound up struggling through adult life, whether it was with alcohol, drugs, or the law.
The main reason that I quit teaching was that I was simply burned out: exhausted, overwhelmed, and badly in need of a break. I realized that I couldn't save enough kids, no matter how great my intentions were, and that unfulfilled desire wore this teacher out.
Do you notice a little problem there? It's too easy when working in a service profession to forget who's in charge, and it certainly wasn't me! People are saved through Jesus Christ, not through Mrs. V. or any other well-meaning, hardworking teacher.
I wish I would have spent less time thinking about giving up and more time giving my students up in prayer.
Today I'm praying for all those students, that they may find lives full of meaning and blessings and that they may recognize that they each have a calling to fulfill. For any former students who may be reading this, thanks for the memories.
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