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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?
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I currently have the privilege of mentoring and teaching a Christian educator in the Word and its application to her everyday life and her work as an educator. I was discouraged by the slowness to engage in the tasks assigned for homework and wondered about the hunger she had to grow for God’s glory, her benefit, and that of her students. However, being encouraged to remember that the work we do is holy and made effective by the Holy Spirit, I prayed. I have seen God transform my heart and approach, as well as hers. We’re now engaging in the study at a greater depth and frequency, in part because of her initiative. God be praised!
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There is a student who has been at our school since kindergarten, but did not return this year for 5th grade. I, however, am a 5th grade teacher at our church and he is in our course. He is very disruptive in order to get attention from the other students. It can be frustrating, but I have to keep my focus on Jesus and firmly, yet lovingly tell him of the choices that he should be making to honor God and others.
Since God is the potter and we are the clay, I pray that He is molding me into His image more every day. I am in a refining process just as my students are. This student is crying out and I pray that He receives what he is looking for in Jesus. He also will mature and grow through the years and learn more appropriate ways to get attention, like serving.
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At the beginning of this school year I had a student who was really into LGBTQ, etc. I prayed a lot for her and just kept sharing truth in daily devotions. Around early December, she texted me and told me she was trying to tell her parents how “cool God is”! I was amazed. Praise God.
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At the end of last school year I had a student that I was praying for. I could see the struggle they had as they were wrestling with the Gospel. Praise God! That student returned this year- Redeemed and on fire for our Lord.
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I had a student who bullied others, was continually disrespectful, and generally disengaged during courses. After discussion with his one of his parents, it was discovered that he was dealing with a relationship breakdown in his family and there was on-going instability. This situation was committed to prayer, which along with a gentler approach has resulted in a noticeable change in both classroom attitude and relationships. Recently the entire course was elated when he willingly prayed aloud at the end of the day … something that he had angrily refused to even consider before.