How many times have you heard the term (or one similar) “They’ve taken God out of public schools!”? I’ve heard it many, many times but so far it has failed to worry me. Don’t get me wrong, it saddens me that a teacher can actually get fired if he or she offends someone by praying aloud or teaching scripture in a public school. It saddens me that some school systems (not mine) have taken the phrase “under God” out of their daily Pledge of Allegiance. It frustrates and sometimes angers me that other religions seem to be tolerated so quickly, yet Christianity simply will not be tolerated in some public school systems. It makes me want to cry out “What are we doing?” But when I get completely worked up over laws and rights, I feel the gentle push of the Holy Spirit saying this to me: “When was the last time you were this sad over the fact that some kids never have clean clothes on? Were you this upset when the boy in time out over there didn’t come to school because no one got up to get him dressed and on the bus? Are you this passionate when the same child just doesn’t get it no matter how much you teach?” You see, if I’m not careful, I can so caught up in the idea of protecting my Christianity (which does have its place) that I forget to actually live my Christianity. And as a kindergarten/first grade teacher in a public school, I need to live my Christianity every second of every day. I’m not worried that God has been taken out of our public schools. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and Omnipresent. He is everywhere all the time, no matter what laws politicians make up. No man has the power to direct where God can and cannot be. God is in our schools. Jesus is in our schools. He is in the hearts of His believers. His love shines through us. Us. We are to be Jesus to the world. So, to the Christian teacher in a public school, I am in no way telling you to break the law or hinder your job! But I am reminding you (and mostly myself! :)) that it’s okay for you to bring Jesus into your classroom. We may not be able to explicitly teach the Bible and prayer to our students, but we can live the Word. We can live the way Jesus calls us to live. That’s what He’s called us to do, after all! We are just seed-planters. He is the one who saves. So how do we plant seeds? How do we live the Word when we can’t teach about the Word? We love. Oohhhhh my, this is so easy for me to say right now as I sit in my comfy chair. After two months, I’ve conveniently forgotten that I won’t be sitting again for about 10 months. Farewell, comfy chair. It’s so easy for me to talk about loving when I haven’t met that child that’s going to do their best to make me dislike them. It’s easy to talk about loving when I haven’t been in a stressful parent meeting, data meeting, in-service meeting, faculty meeting, and collaboration meeting when I really just need to get in my room and prepare! But in order to show the love of Jesus, we are called to love. What does love look like in a classroom? I was really convicted of this a few years ago as I went around blabbing to anyone who would listen how much I loved kindergarten and how much I loved teaching. What does true love look like? “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 How patient am I when my table is full of papers, files, and assessments and an unexpected parent meeting pops up during my prep time? How kind am I when the same child misbehaves time and time again? (That one hurts…) What about when that other teacher walks by with the perfect class in the hall and my class looks like a circus in comparison? Am I not just a bit envious? Or if it’s me with the perfect class, am I ever boastful or proud, even if it’s just in my head? I’ve just got what it takes to make these kids mind. My teaching must be top-notch…these kids are reading like second graders and it’s not even the first nine weeks! I’m soooooo good! With these verses above, I could go on and on about ways I don’t always show love as a teacher. I am grateful to a God who loves me in spite of me. And this year I am going to show His love, perhaps to little ones who have never experienced it in their own lives. I am going to be a seed planter, not by reading scriptures aloud at school, but by showing them in my actions. I am going to pray in my heart for patience, kindness, humility, trust, hope, perseverance… I am going to pray in my heart for my sweet little ones. 
You know the song “Jesus Loves Me”? There’s a line that I love. It says “Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so!” I’m so glad for His Word. I’m so glad that I can share it with my personal children, Parker and Peyton, and show them where it tells them that Jesus loves them. But what about those little ones who don’t know what a Bible is? How will they know that Jesus loves them? What about those little ones whose parents are so beaten by life that they haven’t shown their children God’s love? The Lord may place them in your room this year. He may put their name on your list. He may put them at my work table, in my story circle. I plan to show them the love of Jesus by simply loving them. Who will join me?
Sharing with friends at purposefulfaith.com, Tell His Story, andholleygerth.com.
My Story, My Song 
Pingback: Links to Go (August 1, 2014) | Tim Archer's Kitchen of Half-Baked Thoughts
Pingback: To the Christian Teacher in a Public School | The Roads Taken
This story popped up on my facebook page because an atheist friend of mine shared it on his wall praising your approach to Christianity. That should be a true testament to how God can work through such talented and humble writers such as yourself. Thanks so much for your writings that are so grounded in scripture.
Wow. To God be the glory. To God be the glory.
Thank you for sharing! This is so true. I especially like this line, “God is in our schools. Jesus is in our schools. He is in the hearts of His believers. His love shines through us. Us. We are to be Jesus to the world.” How soon we forget this, but it is so very true! Thank you so much!
Thanks Julie! Blessings!
“…I can get so caught up in the idea of protecting my Christianity (which does have its place) that I forget to actually live my Christianity.”
Nail, meet hammer. Faith that is lived doesn’t need to be protected; and faith that is protected isn’t lived.
Thank you for reminding me that God has placed me in this position and I need to be His example EVERY day to those little lives.
Have a great year Sabra.
I just retired from teaching 38 years. I did not teach about Jesus, but when a comment or question came about, I would ask the class, “Can anyone answer or comment about this?” Soon I would find the students who knew Him or at least about Him. Then I would allow them to talk the the class about Jesus. That way I was not breaking the law, and the students were learning about Jesus from each other. After all, we have found out that they learn best from each other. Why not allow them to learn the greatest story of all from a friend!!
Blessings Belinda! Thank you for serving students for 38 years!
As an atheist, I do the same. I let them share with each other. It’s natural and very normal. I teach in Canada and we can’t be fired for teaching about religion in general. I have a fantastic book from UNICEF called a Faith like Mine. We read it every year and the kids are fascinated by it. We read about ALL religions and acceptance of them. We learn of the similarities, they all have a major important book, their symbols, their houses of worship and the names for them, their special days during the year. I teach in a very multicultural area with many Hindu students, punjabi, some Muslim and Christian students so being aware at a young age of these similarities and acceptance is key. Children are born into their religion through their parents bringing them up that way, but in that should come an acceptance of diversity. In that sense, I have no problems with religious teaching at school as long as the diversity is presented as just that. There is no right or wrong answer and that is OK. With peace and love.
Belinda, that’s a bit worrying. Did you let atheist and non-Christian students speak? Were they comfortable speaking in a room full of Christians? Did you consciously or unconsciously favor one over the other? Isn’t this just a way to find a surrogate to parrot your views?
I was a classroom teacher who was not religious. But I knew that it wasn’t my job to “convert” students to atheism. I didn’t talk about my religious views. Period. I let the students know that that was my business, not theirs. When the topic of religion came up as a subject, I told the facts, such as, “some people believe . . . ” I always let students share their religious views as well as their non-religious views. But I didn’t see myself as needing to “find” the Christian and prompt them to speak.
Praise the Almighty! And also, you {& all teachers} can simply do this: wear a Cross everyday…when I am letting Jesus’ Love shine through me & the stranger thinks I am unusually kind {not having a chance to mention my Faith}, their eyes always seem to draw attention to my little {but powerful, unique} Bob Siemon 3-nail {one long nail w/ 2 shorter nails} Cross pendant on a leather cord. Such a conversation starter also! Fancy, “blingy” Crosses don’t work like simple, unique ones…because today they are worn by even unBelievers as a fashion statement. Before my 3-nail Cross, I wore a “plain” Wooden Cross & I was amazed how many “compliments” I received, giving me perfect opportunity to witness & boast about The Lord. O & PS…I’m sure you know about your rights @ the secular workplace…see ACLJ. ❤
Thank you Caroline! Have a great year!
🙂 ALSO, my main point was that people make the connection w/ the visual of the Cross…that the Love, kind treatment, righteousness they are experiencing is from a Christian / the One Who was on the Cross {for them}.
I can’t tell you how many times children {as young as 3} I have worked w/ have loved looking at my “Jesus Cross”, wanting one for themselves & noticed when I didn’t have “it” on. My heart melted when they would make the simple sign of His Cross w/ their cheese doodles, 2 pieces of branches from the playground, etc etc. There was an anointed fascination w/ the things of God. Then they would hear the Gospel…O this is in Christian-based places, but if God ever brought me to a secular place to continue working w/ children & they asked what my pendant meant, then I think the Holy Spirit would nudge me to simply answer w/ the truth {after all, it is part of the world’s “history”} & I could preface it with, “you & your parents have your beliefs, but to answer the question you asked me…..”
Mark 10:13-16
Thank you for this wonderful reminder! I teach 7 th grade and need to be reminded of this daily. I am going to print 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and post it on my computer.
Have a great year Michelle!!!!
Great post! A teacher friend posted this on FB (where I saw it this morning). Truthfully, living Christianity is sooo much harder than just talking about it! If more of us truly tried to live it, the world would be a better place. Thanks for the important reminder. I hope you have a great, blessed school year!
Same to you Beth!
Pingback: Getting Prepared…physically and mentally | More Than A Teacher
Thank you so much for this message! I am getting ready to begin my 11th year in the classroom, and have often struggled with the separation of church and state. Showing love to my students is the ultimate way to share Jesus with them! Thank you so much for sharing YOUR heart!
Have a fantastic year!
Paige, thank you for affirming a mission “field” I’ve been privileged to “plow” for the 14 years I’ve taught middle school Science as a Christian man. Everyday in school is an opportunity to be a servant leader like Him and to engender the two greatest commandments!! After reading your article, Michael W. Smith’s song “Live The Life” comes to mind :). And as a man of God, I stand courageous with you, Paige, this coming school year (a la Casting Crown’s song “Courageous”)
Thank you friend! I often think of songs throughout my day too!!!
I feel like I have lived your thoughts. I teach alternative education and I love unconditionally as we have been commissioned. There are always a few who struggle to accept the care and concern, but never doubt that God is working through you. The contacts back and forth over the past 38 years continues to prove that you must live your faith openly and honestly. God can never be removed from school, and there are more Christians in the system than those very few who try to drive God out. Stick to your faith, follow God’s commandment and work to fulfill the great commission.
Thank you!
I am vehemently against religion being taught in schools because Christianity isn’t the only religion practiced in this country. However, I agree that our Higher Power is with us wherever we go and your message of teaching the works of Jesus through your own good works is a beautiful and powerful message. I hope many strive to follow in your footsteps and you always find hope when the stress and sadness of your calling try to bring you down.
Thanks Terie!
It is impossible to be a public school teacher in classroom today and not teach religion, evolution, creationism, morals, sex education and any other subject that arise in a classroom. I’m 80 years of age and have spent a lifetime teaching.
Pingback: THEY CAN’T TAKE GOD OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS – REALLY! | Committed To Truth
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reminding me that it is God who is placing these children in my classroom, NOT the counselor! There is a reason for that child being with me and I will TRY to remember that every day this year! Bless you!
Exactly! Have a great year!
Public schools, public funding, freedom of religion and from religion.
“Don’t get me wrong, it saddens me that a teacher can actually get fired if he or she offends someone by praying aloud or teaching scripture in a public school.”
Doesn’t that make you happy, though? Not every teacher is Christian, and I presume you wouldn’t want non-Christian – or even atheistic – ideals taught to your children… which they would be getting earfuls of if this wonderful law wasn’t in place to prevent myself from also delving into religion in my classroom. Besides, what class would you even teach a religious message in? What state or national standards would that apply to?
“It sickens me that some school systems (not mine) have taken the phrase “under God” out of their daily Pledge of Allegiance.”
Why does that sicken you? It wasn’t in the pledge originally, and was only added as a way to “sniff out the Commies”. I personally find it offensive, and I have had a handful of students that do, to. Why should they have to feel that way if this is a public school, protected by the Constitution?
“It frustrates and sometimes angers me that other religions seem to be tolerated so quickly, yet Christianity simply will not be tolerated in some public school systems.”
I’ve never seen this occur. If it has, it was probably an outlier issue, not a systemic one. That would frustrate me, too. No religion should be tolerated – even my own atheism – if it is being taught or overtly supported by the adults in the school.
On a positive note, I do appreciate the way that you have chosen to live as a Christian, and let your actions be your evangelism rather than words.
When I do feel the things you quoted above, my plan is to live what’s in my heart rather than getting bogged down by the “feelings”. Have a great year!
Thanks, you too!
❤ Sadly, though, atheism is taught through evolution {Big Bang / monkey silliness}, millions/billions of years, etc. That shouldn't be allowed, then, right? <3, Caroline {a life saved & beautifully changed by God's Scriptures}
The scientific understanding or the origins of the universe and of life on this planet are independent of religious beliefs. That some choose to take this science as evidence against the existence of God is their business. There are many Christians, like myself, who also accept the science of our origins without diminishing our faith in God or in Jesus. You don’t have to take the book of Genesis literally to take it seriously.
It is also worth noting that science is a different way of looking at the world than is religion. It is a mistake to conflate the two. What is taught in the science classroom is science, not religion, even if your religious faith says that the scientific conclusions are wrong. The science says what the science says – it isn’t about faith.
Please think about it in terms of the old teachings of an earth-centered universe. While it is no longer controversial for Christians to accept that the earth goes around the sun, it were hot button issue when it first became publicly popular. Christians of the day thought the Bible “clearly taught” the central-ness of the earth, and feared that their faith would be diminished if they chose to believe the science. That is no less true today.
Not at all, evolution goes hand-in-hand with many theistic views of the world, including lots of Christians!
Sorry, but the constitution says nothing about freedom “from” religion. It says the government shall not establish a religion. That is not the same thing as from religion. An individual that works for the government has every right to speak about their beliefs. The government just can’t establish a law that tells you what your belief system has to be (like atheist communism). You use “from” religion as saying that my right to speak or exercise my religion should be taken away to protect a made-up right that you shouldn’t have to hear things that upset you. It does however say that there will be NO law prohibiting the free of speech or freedom to exercise religion. We SHOULD all be able to speak about our beliefs freely in school or anywhere. Why do we have to wait until we get to college for our belief systems to be challenged. School is supposed to help shape our belief system. You hear things and discuss it with your family and peers. Your way of thinking is leading to weak Americans that cry when they don’t get what they want and scream that it is unconstitutional. When did free speech become unconstitutional? Christian, Muslim, atheist teachers should all be able to say what they believe to be true. It’s when they make students feel stupid for not holding the same beliefs that there is a problem and the problem is just poor teaching. All this crap about “I don’t care what you believe, as long as you keep it private” is crap! Talk about the best way to keep people mindless….take away the sharing of ideas.
I think that it’s better to leave those discussions alone because not every group in the world, including all the subcategories for each religion, will be represented fairly. Add in the impressionability (is that a word?) of children and it could get dangerous. Jonestown times a hundred.
I truly wish we could have that level of discussion with students.
Perhaps I should have clarified and said that I don’t think adults have to keep their religious beliefs private to a certain degree. If kids ask about what I believe in (because it comes up when we talk about evolution every year), I have no problem telling them and answering a few questions, and I wouldn’t mind others from doing that either. But, there’s a line that doesn’t need to be crossed when it comes to answering questions and providing information, and evangelizing.
I’ve also seen issue of personal beliefs to keep fellow teachers from teaching content like evolution properly, because they don’t believe in it. Now, why is someone that doesn’t champion evolution teach that subject? Beats me.
I am a science teacher that
is also a Christian. I answer questions students may have about my beliefs outside of instructional time (such as ‘are you a Christian?’ or ‘what church do you go to’, or ‘do you believe in evolution or creationism?’). This is done one-on-one, not as a whole class discussion.
The reason we can’t TEACH our personal religious beliefs is the same reason we can’t teach our own personal political opinions. As teachers of children- by profession, we are authority figures in our schools and we have a captive audience. AUTHORITY. CAPTIVE. When my own children are part of that captive audience, I appreciate this most. My children will be taught about other opinions/beliefs for the sake of understanding, but I don’t want them influenced to believe someone else’s opinions simply because they are being told by an authority figure. We can teach politics, we can teach religion, but only in the context of required curriculum.
That being said, I am a Christian and practice my beliefs wherever I go. So while I don’t teach Christianity in my science class, I am a representative of Christianity in my actions.
Religion is not totally absent from schools. We have a Christian Fellowship at my public school, led by teachers, that meets before/after school.
What a perfect message to read on the first day of August – the month of preparing for the first day! I’ve never really thought about what it’s like to be a Christian teacher in a public school, but I have been asked by several friends why I don’t teach at a private or charter school but instead put up with all of the data/parent/staff craziness, and the answer is these kids need love, more than anything. Thank you!
Have a great year!
Wow ugly crying over here! 😭 Thank you SOO much for writing this! I’m also a kinder teacher in a very rough area and you spoke right to the heart of the matter. Loving our kids is the biggest honor and hardest thing to do sometimes. The impact we can have by just being who we’re called to be in the classroom truly does change lives.(even though it can be so hard!!) Standing with you this year for our little ones!
Thank you Katie! Praying blessings on your year girl!
Thank you so much for your post. I am in a teacher credential program right now and have really been torn between pursuing a job at my kids private Christian school for convenience or at a public school. Your post was so encouraging. Such a good reminder that God is everywhere!
Thanks Jana! Blessings as you choose the path God lays out for you.
As an atheist, THANK YOU! Nobody has a problem with Christians acting out their faith by being nice and kind and reaching out a hand to students and others in need. It’s when they start trying to preach to us, or have us pray with them, or read/quote the Bible to us that we get a little uppity… If that’s hard to understand, or you think it’s “just because atheists are mad at God”, try imagine ANY OTHER religion doing the same and I’m willing to bet you would get just as upset…
We’re fine with you being a Christian, we just wish more Christians were fine with us not being so.
Thank you Sarah. You hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly how it should be, either we don’t mention religion at all or mention them all and accept them all. It is through love and acceptance that we can leave peacefully together.
Thank you. You have expressed this very well.
Thank you for reminding me why I teach and why it is in a public school!
Yes, you are correct that you can show the children in your classroom Christ’s love through action. BUT, how will they know it is Christ’s love in you without being able to voice it? Yes, they may know you act different, but you can’t share why. Yes, they may feel your love for them, but they don’t know that “Yes, Jesus loves them” because you can’t tell them that. Yes, Christians can work in public schools, and yes they can show love and pray for their students, but I think I would want a job where I could share Jesus love through words WITH actions. Just my opinion though, and as the comments show you encouraged a lot of public school teachers with your words. Have a good year.
After 25 years in public education, I, like others responded above, feel like I have lived what you just wrote. It was so well-written and stated. Especially the specific day-to-day details will live with regards meetings, parents, paperwork, etc. Thank you so much for writing this!
I always wonder if the people who say it is a shame that we don’t pray in public school actually have devotions at home with their family on a regular basis. Because if they were, why would the school need to provide that? Anyway, as Newt Gingrich said, being a teacher is like being a missionary. He was referring to the pay, but we have a mission field every day.
Best wishes to you and all of my fellow teachers out there who take the Holy Spirit with them into their classrooms.
Thanks Melodie. Have a great year!
I am on board…for my 32nd year of sharing the love of God in a public school system. Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration to share the amazing love that God gives us to share!!!
Wow! 32 years! Thank you for serving students all those years! Have a blessed year!
Thanks for reminding us all we are called to is to be faithful to God and God will do the rest.
Thanks Marion!
GOD is the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth. I believe. However, if one leaves God out of the Pledge to the flag of the United States of America, he or she is not saying the pledge. Under God was added during the Eisenhower administration. It wasn’t there in the beginning. Now it is , and if you leave it out you are not doing it correctly, so , therefore, it is not the pledge but something else. roger neil moss
Thanks so much for this! Praying that I’ll remember these things this year.
Have a great year, friend!
It’s called a public school because people of all religions are welcomed there. It’s called a public school because it’s owned by the state, and the state practices separation of church and state. Some school systems have taken the phrase “under God” out of their daily pledge of allegiance because it makes Muslims, Jews, and people of other religious affiliations (or those of none at all) uncomfortable because they do not believe in that God. It should not frustrate or anger you that other religions are tolerated very quickly. It should relieve you that the people who practice those religions are welcome and safe in those schools. Christianity has a privilege and will never ‘not be tolerated’ in some public school systems. You are welcome to have a Bible, pray, or wear religious garb in schools, you just can’t teach it to kids because of separation of church and state.
***I appreciate your stance on this however. I am very, very glad you don’t dwell on those bits and move on to helping other people.***
Thanks!
Amen. Thanks for writing this. It gives me encouragement for the coming school year.
Have a terrific year!:)
Reblogged this on lynndcurriculumandinstruction and commented:
This is a great read for going back to school. I can teach in the public school and be the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. Allelujah!
Amen!
I enjoyed your letter. I am dating myself, but in 1988 I went on a missions trip with New Tribes Missions to Senegal West Africa. I traveled with 25 other college aged kids that I had never met before. Many of them were preparing to go on the mission field full time and some of them were attending a Bible College. At the time I was a Junior in College studying to be a high school teacher. When sharing what I was planning on being many of them tried to talk me into going to the mission field. They expressed that God needed me elsewhere. But I expressed that public school was to be my mission field. I think they thought I was stupid. I felt then and still feel today that God calls Christians to the mission field of Public education for the exactly the same reasons that you wrote about! Not to stand on a soap box but to love kids that need someone to show them kindness and love. Kids that do not get what they need at home. I have now taught for 24 years! I do not regret my decision for a second. God called me back to high school, a place that I did not like so much when I was a student there. But he has worked in my heart and has showed me such a great need. Kids need love no matter what the age and I feel so blessed that God has asked me to love them unconditionally. I am not saying that it has always been easy but it sure has been rewarding. It is hard to imagine that in 11 years when I retire it will be time to find somewhere else for God to use me. Have a great year!
What a journey you’ve had! Blessings as you continue on!
Pingback: To the Christian Teacher in a Public School | unitedhopechurch
This was an answer to a few prayers for me!!! Thank you!!
I’m so glad God used this ordinary little post to answer your prayers Brandy!
I needed this as a reminder of why God has placed me where am at. This year I will plant the seed of love in all my students.
Have a great year Vonia!
I use to be the student with dirty clothes, hungry normally cause no one was home to cook or make me a bowl of cereal. My kindergarten teacher changed my life by loving me. I’m going to school to be a kindergarten teacher now. I recently got to tel her what she meant to me and through tears she said, “Surprisingly, you meantmore to me. You taught me just as
Much, if not more. ”
This hits close to home. I want you to know you WILL make a difference. Just like Mrs. Mask did for me. She’s the only teacher from Elementary I remember.
.
Thank you for this. Bless you on your journey!
Great article! I’ve always said that if I am in the room, God is in the room. I am a Christian. Period. I talk about going to church and singing in the choir. I attend my student’s baptisms. A few years ago a former student ran up to me and told me that her sister was sick and could I please pray for her. Very powerful moment for me. I didn’t beat them over the head with religion. I just showed (most of the time) them the Jesus in me. This was a wonderful article to read as I go back into the classroom in Two days.
Have a blessed year!
As a teacher in a Christian school for many years, I want to express my thanks to my sisters and brothers in Christ who teach in public schools. We are called to different, but equally challenging, mission fields. God plants us where He can best use our giftings to honor Him. I pray for an effective ministry to be alive and well in your classroom again this year.
Have a great year Cindy!
I really needed to hear this today as I’m soon heading back into the classroom after 25+ years as a practicing marine biologist. Thanks so much for your letter!
Wow Cecelia! That’s awesome! Have a great year, friend!
Thanks so much for this great post! We all need this reminder, especially at this time of year. As a public school teacher (and former Christian school teacher) I know that my classroom is my God-assigned mission field. High school students with disabilities come to school deeply hurt from whatever has happened in their varied pasts and need someone to listen, to cheer for them and, yes, to quietly love them. Some days I have to remind myself that this job is a blessing, but it is. God is good and holds me together, even on the difficult days. May we all carry His holy name with honor and love and bless those we meet each and every day…
Have a great year, friend! Blessings!
Your post is down to earth . Thanks!! > I’m reblogging it https://bypassicloudactivationscreen.wordpress.com/
Again Thanks And reblogging it ;To the Christian Teacher in a Public School
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing a beautifully written post. I also teach Kindergarten and will meet students and parents as we begin our school year next week. Blessings to you as you embark on another year in the classroom.
You too Sharon! I start next week too!:)
So proud of you in understanding that we can still love out what Christ has called us to do. I am in a similar situation as I am a substance a use counselor for inmates. I work in a prison and we have to be tolerant of every offenders belief systems but I personally have seen when it comes to Christianity, the powers at be are less tolerant if not tolerant at all. As a recovering addict myself I have a faith based recovery program with a foundation in Christ! I believe only I. Faith based recovery programs because faith never fades. A person takes care of their faith everyday and everyday a recovering addict must take care of their recovery. However with that being said I don’t let any type of structure deter me from honoring God’s will for my life as a SAC. It is what He intended for me to become when He first created me. I show it everyday at work and personally have seen many miracles unfold right before me. I tell them to thank God and not me for I didn’t do anything other than honor God’s will for my life.
That’s so awesome Jonathan! Thanks for sharing!
For those of you in classroom, school, program, district and national leadership roles, follow Christ’s example of servant style leadership. Ask, “How may I help you achieve your goals today?” ‘What support do you need to do the best possible teaching you can do?”
Thanks for the input Robin!
Paige, I’m not a teacher, although I work for a school district in Texas. (A teacher friend posted a link to this on Facebook.) I work with a Christian group that goes to China each summer to do oral English “professional development” programs for public school teachers there. Your article describes exactly our philosophy and the reason we do what we do there. Even though I feel it in my heart, I’ve always had a hard time expressing why I feel our volunteer work in China is important and worth the expense. But I will save your writing and use it in the future when I need to help others understand! Thank you.
That’s an honor, Allan! Thank you!
We have some ladies from our church(retired teachers) that went for about ten years as missionaries to China to teach English over the summer!
I am not a teacher, but I can use the same guidance and teachings as a government employee (the whole thing about “separation of church and state”). My favorite part was, “I’m not worried that God has been taken out of our public schools. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and Omnipresent. He is everywhere all the time, no matter what laws politicians make up. No man has the power to direct where God can and cannot be.
I am thankful that I have an opportunity to show love and “be Jesus to the world” almost every day to people who call my office asking for help, understanding and guidance. Thanks for a great essay, and a great reminder!
Thanks Susan! I realize I keep saying “Have a great year!” to all the teachers. Well, you have a great one too, friend.:)
While I am not a teacher per se, I am the husband of a Christian Teacher (she is deceased now) who was not afraid of doing some innocuous thing that would lead to Questions by one or more of here students. The laws actually encourage this type of ideology just by their wording and since my wife was an ESL/ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) she had man opportunities for this especially with the numerous Muslim country students.
As a case in point, a particular lesson contained the word “FLOOD” and try as she might she could not come up with a way to get the meaning of the word across until she remember about the Noah’s Ark. She just drew wavy lines on the board then a simple boat floating on it and the students were off and running with that simple idea and even commented about it being Noah’s Ark. (two boys and a girl of muslim parents). The girl, being oldest, asked a little later if my wife knew Abraham, Isaac and Jacob so of course it went on and on from there with these muslim middle school students doing all the questioning.
A truly committed Christian teacher has many opportunities to witness practically every day even if he/she does not understand the student’s language and establish a christian friendship.
This sure hit a cord with me! Thank you for expressing how I feel about practicing my faith in a public school setting.
Have a great year!:)