Teaser - come back August 3rd to find out what "+1" means...teacher code for this year
I am taking a different appproach on my opinions this chapter but feel free to submit yours in any way that you want.
Prayers:
- for enrollment
- families that firmly believe and are dedicated to CHRISTIAN schools
- that parents believe and that we do provide the "BEST EDUCATION" for our children (pg. 34)
- with all that we here from media and ministries, pray for the Christian schools in China
- (pg 40) that parents feel that we, no matter who they are (east to get along with or not) embrace their entire family and feel that their children are receiving a education in a safe and loving environment. (personally, I think that is what we are most known for in the community)
- for the school voucher movement in Florida
- I am confident that faith is integrated in our fine arts programs as a "light" for other to see
- This is more personal base don the note on pg. 42 - that parents truly see that there is a huge difference between charter schools and Christian schools and that they just do not fall for the line "free tuition"
Ok, your turn...hope your summer is going well!
My personal testimony referring to Christian school: As a little girl, I got to accompany my mom to her classroom on occasions where my school was not in session, to help her set up or clean up her classroom, or when there was no one to care for me at home while I got over a cold. My desire to be a teacher was mentored there. God also put in me a love for learning and children, so as young as I can remember, to be a teacher was my only goal. In college, as I learned about the intricacies of learning styles and flaws, my heart was tweeked toward working with the learning disabled. Although I went to a Christian College, I had never thought of nor considered teaching in a Christian school until I heard that MY church was beginning one and the principal was at my college interviewing. While I didn't learn about the interviewing process early enough to be on the schedule, I immediately contacted my pastor (Pastor Russell) and wrote to Mr. Heers about my interest in teaching at the school. What clinched it for me was hearing Rick Heers' desire to have a program for learning disabled students!!! I believed that was confirmation that Fort Myers Christian School was right where God wanted me!
ReplyDeleteBy God's design, then, my children got to attend FMCS through 8th grade! I would not have wanted it any other way. I knew they were having our family values reinforced in each class by Godly teachers who cared about them intellectually and spiritually. Jim and I could not have had better partners in their upbringing. It helped to lay the foundation for the adults they are today: with strong Christian character, values, work ethic and love for God. Even though they went on to public high school, having the the Bible taught at home, school and church (when they arise, walk, sit, and lay down as the Old Testament says) definitely deeply rooted our kids.
As I read about the author's induction into Christian school and the story of Taylor Smith and his sons, I had to agree and compare it to our family's story. I believe if we were able to have our school families share the impact of FMCS in their lives, what a powerful way to let the community know about the treasure within these earthen walls. Mrs. Billman and Mrs. Felice shared so well about the impact FMCS had/has on their families, but who gets to hear it? Wish there was a way to have those and MORE snipits out there (TV, radio, church news, youtube, dvd in the registration packet, option on the web site).
I also have to say that my children were not only academically challenged, also in the arts (music/band) and in sports here at FMCS. Here, there are opportunities to play in a smaller school that would not be afforded in a larger school. Coaches and directors (M. Gregor/B. Coey) wanted excellence and as a result, my kids competed successfully outside FMCS, too.
We do provide "world class" learning with "academic excellence in action" p. 38, and are "creative for the creator" p. 40. We do accept the McKAy Scholarship and are working well with the county to make that program excellent as well.
FMCS- Lee County's best kept secret?
Really like the testimony Myra...very timely for something we are planning!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read about the school where everyone studied Shakespeare, I thought,"I'm glad we don't do that!" However, I know we are looking for something to make us stand out from other Christian schools in the area, and if we took something like this and made it our own we could do just that.
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ReplyDeleteI like his comment on page 42 that states, "...we are pursuing a powerful combination of academic excellence and Christian conviction. - Sue Sinex
I loved the subtitle 'Being Creative for the Creator'. YES!!!! That is what we must do in order to attract families to FMCS. We must think outside of the box! We MUST look at every single aspect of what we do and ask, "Is this working to the best of its' ability?" If not, then how can we make it work better. NOTHING can be sacred!! I am including myself in this. If I am not the best teacher for the position I have, then either I must work to become better or I must be willing to step aside and allow someone that is better equipped to do the job! Ouch!! That is a painful thought but it is reality! We must be Creative for the Creator at FMCS!!!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the point that this chapter made that YES, Christian schools do provide world-class learning. I was fortunate to get to attend FMCS from 5th through 8th grade before going to public high school, and in that transition, I felt more than prepared to take on the challenging advanced courses that I would take in high school, not to mention the strong foundation that was cultivated through developing a personal relationship with our Lord not only at home and church, but at FMCS too.
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