-
Describe a recent time when you’ve been discouraged with a student’s progress. Have you witnessed a change in the student’s life, or are you still waiting for that change to occur?
-
At times it can be frustrating to watch students be pulled in by the world, especially with the onset of social media and the digital age that our students are growing up in. However, when we as Christian educators engage with our students, it’s important that we remind the students of who they are in Christ and that God has wonderful plans for their lives. It’s always encouraging to hear when a student will encounter an experience with the Lord and share how they felt God’s hand leading their lives. Sometimes it’s through a friend, or an experience in the classroom or when they’ve been let down by someone but God provided other people to encourage them. It’s important that we never give up and keep believing in our students, even if they seem far away from God. We never know how God will use our teaching of truth and love to influence their lives down the road.
-
Yesterday, I had a student who is extremely intelligent (but doesn’t put forth a ton of effort) open his bible and dive into the word. I started talking to him about it because he normally tries to be the class clown. I was so encouraged by it that we stopped the lesson and all dived into Matthew together
-
I had a new student and the student was also new to a Christian school. The student had some behavioral challenges, but several months into the school year responded to a chapel message and accepted Jesus as savior. Our team has seen a definite change in behavior since the student surrendered to Christ. I still have many, many students that I pray over and continue to do so. My husband is a correction officer and unfortunately some of my students have spent time in jail with him. But we just keep praying and see of those seeds that were planted years ago, are still evident even in jail conversations. WE just keep praying! We plant, God harvests.
-
As I wait for get my certification and to get hired on as a regular teacher I have been working as a substitute teacher in the local public high school. Nearly every day is discouraging. I go into the classroom in the mornings looking forward to reaching some student in a meaningful way. I look for those that I can inspire. Seldom is there one that I am able to reach. One girl that comes to mind was the cause for me to leave an assignment in the middle of class. She was just terrible in her lying about things and in her actions towards me. Soon after I requested to be replaced the class left the room for their lunch period. This girl and a few other students stayed behind. It was commonn for me to have students stay in the room at lunch time. While I waited for my replacement I told this girl that she should be proud of herself. That she was successful in chasing off a preacher. That I was not there for the money because the little that I did make went right to the chiropractor to fix me each day so that I could return the next day. I told her that most of the substitutes were there because we cared and wanted to help. I reminded her that the teachers are quitting in mass each year because of how the students are treating them. I told her that it was attitudes like hers that are chasing teachers away from the schools. I was very surprised at how fast she changed her attitude. She apologized and said that she did not realize this. She also, to my surprise, said that the previous week she had surrendered her life to Jesus and was going to get baptized and that she had joined a church. Her statements caused me to take a big pause. I felt quilty at that moment for leaving this assignment but I just couldn’t deal with the abuse any further.
-
In 2021, I taught a very rebellious group of 8th grade students. I was terrified to go to work. But in the course of 3 years, these students matured mentally and spiritually. They learned to communicate with God, which led them to communicated better with peers and teachers. Now, these students are in harmony with their surrounding. Praise the Lord.