Well, I would think that the teacher that has sent over 33,000 personalized birthday letters has to be an amazing highlight. I wonder if that is what stands out the most to his students - the letter and the personal attention they received over knowledge?
I think this chapter focuses on something that needs to be a selling point for our school - personalized attention from teachers. The statement on page 46 starts our conversation - "(teachers) are living curriculum, and the Scriptures teach us that when students are fully taught, they will be like their teachers." So I wonder, how are your students like you? what do you think they "copy" from you or remember about you?
Just thought of the FMCS parent who emailed us toward the end of the school year saying his high school son had told his brother who is now at FMCS that he should appreciate us while he's still at our school. Older brother said he wasn't going to find teachers that cared about him "out there" like we do.
ReplyDeleteI, too, recalled that email. It's what , I hope, we're known for at FMCS. Our teachers truly care about our students.
DeleteI do believe that is an important selling point for our school. Even though we've had families choose to leave our school for sports, etc., in another local CHristian school, they do say that we are a school with teachers who care and love their kids in a way that is not duplicated elsewhere in our community.
ReplyDeleteIn my situation, I work so very closely with both kids and parents and the relationships in the LRP can become quite strong encouraging frequent communication. Although parents can access us easily via email and school dynamics, the Weekly Reports are a way the LRP (and middle school teachers) can give that personal compliment or firm comment that is unique to each student we share. That really matters to the parents.
Just last week we spent time with Tim, dad to Jeremy and Josh Stutzman. He STILL talks about the value and impact FMCS had and continues to have on his sons and their lives/families. He was/is a single dad and made that sacrifice to have his sons attend through 8th grade. THat is a relationship that cannot have a price put on it. He also said that he believes it is a sacrifice that parents need to make for their kids today. His older son is the age of our Josh and his younger son the age of our Kristi. That is a legacy!
That statement from page 46 "when students are fully taught, they will be like their teachers." was the most impacting statement from the whole chapter. I think that students are impacted by FMCS in a meaningful way, and for my part I try to instill a respect for books, and a love for reading. But my motivation for trying to get them to love reading is so that they will become good readers. I think students that are able to read at or above grade level will do well in all academics because they all require reading, therefore, if you struggle with reading, all academic subjects become harder than they need to be.
ReplyDeleteI do make a conscious effort to integrate my faith in the stories I that share, and the way that I teach, and my friend Tina who saw me in action every day school year (the good, the bad and the ugly) assures me that I do a good job of this, but I don't know how well I translate to the children my deep love of God and my deep desire to please Him above all else.
Great chapter that sums up what we are as Christian teachers. Page 51 states that teachers often spend more time in meaningful interaction with children than parents themselves do. That brings home how important it is that we are that "living curriculum". We love our students and want them to say pg 50 "My teachers live out their faith every day and show me how I can do the same." What an awesome privilege we have.
ReplyDeleteI also watched the youtube video on Dan Stroup. Worth looking at, he is an inspiration to write those letters every year. Just a challenge to ask the Lord how He would have us as teachers make that personal touch for our students. I have learned a lot from the chapters of this book. Not so much worrying about how to market ourselves, but more to just be faithful and allow the Lord to add to our school and our classrooms. Donna
The statement that Jay quoted is both scary and encouraging! We, I must always remember that there are eyes watching my EVERY move and my EVERY word. I want my students to see the beauty, authenticity and greatness of Christ in me. On the flip side, if I am stating that I am a follower of Christ, then I must be willing to recognize that the Christ they see in me, is the Christ they will emulate. This thought is provoking and it also is sobering.
ReplyDeleteI want my students to see Jesus in me. Not the judgmental form of jesus (I didn't capitalize his name because this isn't the authentic Jesus)that the world tries to say we serve. I want them to see the Jesus that is written about in the Bible. The Jesus that loves unconditionally.
Man, I have my work cut out for me! I am so far from the image of Christ. However, I must take that mantle upon myself and walk in the reality of the task set before me!!
At our graduation, I had a grandma tell me that towards the end of the school year, her grandaughter would initiate prayer before bed time. She would pray for her family's needs just as we did in our morning circle time and also pray for Miss Earp too. Even though my students are very young, I hope they learn the foundational truths about Jesus's love and that we can talk to him anytime!
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