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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 impacts my work in the classroom by reiterating God’s grace and mercy to my students. By pointing out the fallen nature of man, I am able to highlight our need for a Savior. This obviously leads into God’s great love for us. This is the gospel. Even though we choose time and time again to disregard God’s commandments, He forgives and redeems us. This is a conversation I continually have with my students, especially when they make poor choices.
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Kids are cute and they know how to sin. So parameters must be set to curb against evil, and model and incentivize the good.
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I approach my classroom with the understanding that we all (including myself) need grace and forgiveness. I do not expect perfection from others or myself, but I attempt to model asking for forgiveness and give students opportunities to do the same.
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As a math teacher, I often have students who say that they are not good at math or even hate math. Others complain about “too much homework” (nightly 10-15 problems – sometimes given classtime to get started). I continually remind students of the usefulness of algebra, that they unknowingly use it daily, and that they are capable, but it takes practice. I encourage students to remember that the assignments they are given are not to be completed for me or even for a grade, but for the glory of God. Col 3:23 tells us to do all we do as if working for Him.
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If I keep in mind that I am one with a fallen nature, and I am one for whom Christ died, then I can be more understanding of the other “fallens.” I pray they can overlook my shortcomings enough to trust me to teach them.