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How does your understanding of mankind’s fallen nature impact your work in the classroom?
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My understanding of mankind’s fallen nature reminds me why we see certain student behavior in the classroom. It also reminds me that not only are they fallen but they need redemption like all of us do. Discipline is important but it is also important to attempt to restore gently when possible.
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It helps me give grace to my students and helps me recognize that they are broken just like I am. If God id saving me in my brokenness purely by His grace, it is a smaller act of love for me to do it for my students.
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From the first day of school each year, I set the expectations clearly for classroom behavior, honesty, and respect for one another. I work hard to commend considerate “others first” behavior and am willing to give my students opportunities to make the most of their time in my classroom.
Despite all of this, unfortunately, rarely a day goes by that we don’t have to revisit those expectations. What becomes most difficult is when there is an infraction, and there is no agreement between the student, my administration, the parents, what I experienced in the classroom, and even more so, what the resulting consequences should be for the student. In my many decades of teaching, I have never seen so much overt lying, cheating on exams, and the automatic assumption that “the student did nothing wrong and the teacher must be at fault.” -
Understanding mankind’s fallen nature impacts my work in the classroom in two major ways. First, I must understand that I am fallen. I make mistakes and I rely on the grace of God daily. I rely on Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for my salvation. Second, I understand that my students are also fallen and in need a savior. I will naturally minister to them, share God’s love with them, and share the Gospel with them. I will show grace to them and understand that they are not perfect beings.
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Our sin nature influences all of our thought, action, and words. As Christians we recognize this and know that we are in need of a savior. In the classroom we talk about this problem and present the gospel so that the children can experience the freedom that we have in Christ. The forgiveness we receive is also modeled in the classroom. Consequences are always there because the Bible says that the wages for sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. I try not to just manage behavior, but to deal with the heart issue at hand. Speaking to the student of the deeper reasons of their sinful behavior lets them see their sin for what it is and gives them an opportunity to ask and receive Gods forgiveness through his Son.