Discussion Questions
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Explain, in your own words, Dr. Black’s visual of a book in the middle of two Bibles. What is she illustrating with this visual?
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Dr. Black is illustrating that everything we do and teach should begin and end with God’s Word. What and how we teach should have a foundation in the Bible and also result in our students ultimately being pointed back to God, His Word, and a biblical worldview. If we do not being and end with the Bible, then how are we providing our students with anything different from a secular education?
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The visual of the Bible above and below the stacks of books help show that we should begin with and finish with God’s Word. She talked about cultural influences on what we believe and teach. I have lived overseas for 20 years. Each time I return to the US, I can see big cultural shifts, and sometimes the church if following those trends without giving it a thought. I think this visual is asking us to not jut tag on a Bible verse, but to really think of our lesson from a biblical perspective. In order to do this, we need to be in the Word and reflecting on it, interpreting it and applying it.
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The visual Dr. Black used was powerful. I believe she is illustrating to build your planning or lessons on the foundation of God’s word. When we (the foundation) have God’s word in us we can then take the curriculum and scope and sequence and infuse it with Biblical truth and let God’s light shine through it to finish it off.
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Dr. Black shared the importance of integrating scripture within our lesson plans, assessments, etc. I agree. As Christian educators we have the responsibility to build a foundation of biblical truth and a belief system. But that is not all. What a blessing to navigate learning in a way that teaches students how to “apply” biblical truth into their daily life.
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All new knowledge that we are tasked with teaching to students should be surrounded by scripture. I don’t think this necessarily implies that our lessons must always start and end with scripture, but I am sure that will be made clear as the course progresses.
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What are some techniques you have used, or currently use, to encourage a growth mindset in yourself?
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I get up in the morning and journal, pray, reading the bible and talk about what I have to do and come up with my schedule and of course it goes God’s way most of the time. But I get everything done and anything else that comes my way.
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As an educator, I chose the profession knowing I would be a life-long learner. Since I am neither happy with mediocrity and always want to strive toward whatever may be God’s next step in my life, I remind myself that in order to be an effective educator, I must seek after knowledge, techniques, and professional development to enhance the gifts I have been given.
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I seek mentorship and advice from teachers who I see excelling in areas where I am weak. I desire to explore techniques outside my comfort zone if it means my students receive a better education.
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I always like to talk other teachers to see how they do certain things to help me grow and find new approaches to things.
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My most important is accountability. I know I’m accountable to God, but a flesh-and-blood- peer seems to keep me motivated.