A couple of comments made about the U.S. schools stood out to me:
"High teach and high touch - that's the approach that Victory World Christian takes to achieve its goal of equipping students to be strong Christians who are academically prepared to change their world." pg. 6
"Other kinds of Christian schools are those that are know for..."
What are we known for?
I would be interested to know what the common thread was from our survey we took at the end of the year as to what we feel our school is known for. I found in the introduction that you see that common drive. Where the schools mentioned have a specific purpose for doing what they are doing. The Asia school deciding the "hakwon system was destroying a generation of young people" so they set out to change that. Of course I loved the Happy Hands school whose focus is on the hearing impaired and students with lauguage disorders. I love Al Proo's quote on page 7, "When I walk through here, I just see life and kids being sucessful and parents and their kids being ministered to... That's what it's all about".
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that we as a school are seeking the Lord for what we are known for and maybe even have him redirecting us to His purpose. Donna
Wasn't Hillcrest SChool in Jos, Nigeria where Heidi and Jay taught? I love that TRUTH can be taught with love as Jesus taught. We don't have to convict, but rather allow the power of God's Word and true Christ-love do its job. In that way we can encompass many controversial people groups, because "they will know us by our love".
ReplyDeleteA very important connection of which we did not take advantage this year was the PRAYER CARDS. I felt in years past this was an important and unique spiritual connection with our families and students. Knowing that their child is not only taught, but specifically prayed for, touches the heart and soul of parents. It, I believe, clinches the Christian in our school's title. We need to bring it back next year.
It is indeed important to be as excellent as possible in our credentials and education, but also to be excellent spiritually in order to lead our students toward salvation and their highest calling.
Myra,
DeleteIt is exciting you asked about the prayer cards because I was thinking about that this morning as I was reading through the book. I agree to bring them back again next year.
In the chapter (I think 5) where he talks about the teacher David that wrote the birthday letters, and that made me think about the prayer cards. It might be nice to personalize the pray cards in this way. It would take a little more time and effort, but it may be worth it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am asked "What makes FMCS special?" my response is always the same. I tell that person that we are a family. We, the staff and faculty, look out for the students and love the students as though they are our own. We are a team working together to reach the highest potential that a child offers.
ReplyDeleteAnyone that has attended here for multiple years will say the same thing. I can't tell you how many parents I see at KAIO that tell me they miss the "family or feeling of safety" they had when their child was here.
As a staff, we have to lay down petty disagreements and we have to work together to spread this message. There are many schools that offer a great, quality education BUT they don't have the unique atmosphere that FMCS does.
When I think about the question of what makes FMCS special, my answer is much the same as yours. I have the unique perspective of being both a former student and now a teacher, and what I loved about FMCS as a student continues to touch my heart and motivate me as a teacher. The love of Christ that really does make the school feel like a family makes FMCS feel like "home" to me.
DeleteReading this book caused me to tear up at times because the loving teachers and staff that taught, mentored, and prayed for me growing up are a strong driving influence for me to touch young lives for the kingdom just as I was!