Change
Change.
I have a love/hate relationship with change.
I'm a pastor's daughter. We moved when I was a kid. The first time, I barely remember. The second time was the summer I turned 5. My sister and I were excited to ride our bikes in the church parking lot - which happened to be in our backyard. We also made friends with the neighbors. At 5 years old, change wasn't an issue. When I was in 7th grade, my parents discussed the possibility of a move from the Chicago suburbs to South Dakota. And I was very anti-change - instead wishing for the comfort of the life I'd always known. We moved to Sioux Falls that summer. And I loved living in Sioux Falls.
When I was 18 I was afraid to go off to college, and ended up having 4 amazing years at Dordt.
When I was 22, I moved to Holland, Michigan, where I didn't know anyone, simply because my fiance was planning on seminary. Then change was scary and exciting, all at the same time.
I loved my job in Michigan. I loved the school where I worked. I loved the people I worked with. I loved the students. I loved how my husband became involved in the school. I loved showing up every morning and the way my heart filled with joy, even in the hardest of times, simply because the students brought me to life. I had the most amazing first job, better than I could have ever imagined. And now I have to change.
My only experience in public school is in small-town Iowa. I've gone to Christian schools my whole life, preschool through college. In Michigan I taught at a Christian school.
This week, I began my job as a public school teacher. I only had 3 days of new teacher orientation, next week I will meet the whole staff, and begin teacher workshop days. My work with the students begins the Tuesday after Labor Day. Everything is going to change.
Jacob and I have often discussed how my calling is discipling and loving teenagers. I achieve this through my vocation - teaching high school Spanish.
I am changing from a life of private education, to a job in public education. The question on my heart is how to disciple teenagers in a place where I can't discuss my faith.
I think the answer is right in front of me. Love.
Matthew 22:37-40 says "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and prophets hang on these two commandments."
Maybe I can't go into my classroom and do devotions with my students every day. Maybe I can't incorporate Bible stories into my reading lesson plans. Maybe I'll have to do classroom management and discipline without referencing what the Bible says.
But I can love the students.
In the Dordt College education department, they focus on all students being made in the image of God. This is one of the most important things that I could have taken away from my education. All students are made in the image of God. It doesn't matter what they look like. It doesn't matter if they annoy me. It doesn't matter what their religion is. It doesn't matter if they are straight A students or trying desperately to stay afloat. Each and every one of the kids I will encounter this year is made in the image of God. And I can, and will, show them love.
I have a love/hate relationship with change.
I'm a pastor's daughter. We moved when I was a kid. The first time, I barely remember. The second time was the summer I turned 5. My sister and I were excited to ride our bikes in the church parking lot - which happened to be in our backyard. We also made friends with the neighbors. At 5 years old, change wasn't an issue. When I was in 7th grade, my parents discussed the possibility of a move from the Chicago suburbs to South Dakota. And I was very anti-change - instead wishing for the comfort of the life I'd always known. We moved to Sioux Falls that summer. And I loved living in Sioux Falls.
When I was 18 I was afraid to go off to college, and ended up having 4 amazing years at Dordt.
When I was 22, I moved to Holland, Michigan, where I didn't know anyone, simply because my fiance was planning on seminary. Then change was scary and exciting, all at the same time.
I loved my job in Michigan. I loved the school where I worked. I loved the people I worked with. I loved the students. I loved how my husband became involved in the school. I loved showing up every morning and the way my heart filled with joy, even in the hardest of times, simply because the students brought me to life. I had the most amazing first job, better than I could have ever imagined. And now I have to change.
My only experience in public school is in small-town Iowa. I've gone to Christian schools my whole life, preschool through college. In Michigan I taught at a Christian school.
This week, I began my job as a public school teacher. I only had 3 days of new teacher orientation, next week I will meet the whole staff, and begin teacher workshop days. My work with the students begins the Tuesday after Labor Day. Everything is going to change.
Jacob and I have often discussed how my calling is discipling and loving teenagers. I achieve this through my vocation - teaching high school Spanish.
I am changing from a life of private education, to a job in public education. The question on my heart is how to disciple teenagers in a place where I can't discuss my faith.
I think the answer is right in front of me. Love.
Matthew 22:37-40 says "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and prophets hang on these two commandments."
Maybe I can't go into my classroom and do devotions with my students every day. Maybe I can't incorporate Bible stories into my reading lesson plans. Maybe I'll have to do classroom management and discipline without referencing what the Bible says.
But I can love the students.
In the Dordt College education department, they focus on all students being made in the image of God. This is one of the most important things that I could have taken away from my education. All students are made in the image of God. It doesn't matter what they look like. It doesn't matter if they annoy me. It doesn't matter what their religion is. It doesn't matter if they are straight A students or trying desperately to stay afloat. Each and every one of the kids I will encounter this year is made in the image of God. And I can, and will, show them love.
You can use the same process for planning, you can have devotions (alone, if necessary) and pray for your students and you might be pleasantly surprised that other teachers might want to join you. Everyone will learn from each other and I know you will be a wonderful influence on your students!!
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