If you’ll allow me to preach to the choir for a second I’ll start off by saying that teaching is an incredibly rewarding profession.  Everyday is an adventure which ensures that it is never boring.  In addition, everything we do matters. You would be hard pressed to find an occupation that has as great of an impact on a multitude of lives as teaching does.  It would be impossible to measure the full impact that one teacher can have on future generations within our schools, neighborhoods, cities, states, etc.  With that being said, teaching can also be very difficult at times.  Viewed through the lens of difficulty everything that I’ve mentioned earlier can become overwhelming if we’re not careful.  If you’ve been in the “choir” long enough then you probably know where I’m headed.  This would be a truly daunting task if we had to do this all on our own, however, we have a Helper who equips us “for every good work.”

According to the Oxford dictionary, help means to “make it easier for (someone) to do something by offering one's services or resources.”  The moment I read that definition it seemed like the perfect description of God’s role in the life of all believers, especially those of us attempting to make a positive impact in the lives of the students entrusted to us everyday.  It would be impossible to put into words the wide variety of ways that God helps me within this profession he has called me to so I’ll focus on just a couple of important ways that I’ve noticed the Lord’s help as I continue to grow both in life and in this profession to which I’ve been called.

For my fellow millennials and any older generation you should have no trouble finding the right word to fill in the blank in my next sentence.  “Children are meant to be seen and not __________.”  For those younger than us who may not have encountered that sentence before, the correct word is “heard.”  This is a sentiment that has prevailed in both homes and classrooms for many years.  If you work with young people on a regular basis you will discover quite quickly that this sentence doesn’t work if you are looking to make a connection with the young people in this current generation.  

Few things matter to kids in this generation as much as being heard, respected and acknowledged.  Honesty goes a long way with them as well. I know it’s hard to believe but adults are not always right.  Not even teachers.  This is an important area where I’ve noticed a Helper stepping in to keep my ego in check.  At the end of each day I try to spend a little time reflecting on the events of the day.  I‘ve found that this is not only necessary but that it can also be rewarding because it reveals moments where I “got it right.”  Those moments where I helped a colleague, spoke a word of encouragement to a student, or simply held my tongue so that I didn’t make a challenging situation worse.  Sometimes I am completely oblivious to those moments until I take that time to reflect at the end of the day.  I have to admit that these reflective moments can also reveal areas where I missed the mark.  Those moments where I didn’t accurately reflect Christ and as a result I may need to go back and make things right or even offer that dreaded apology. 

I would love to say it’s my conscience that leads me during these moments but I’ve come to recognize it as that quiet whisper from the Holy Spirit that urges me to go back and make things right.  I’ve learned that I can best hear this voice when I shut out the noise at the end of the day. This allows all of the world’s distractions, the tv, social media, and even me and my stubbornness to get out of the way so that God can speak.

The ability to acknowledge when we’re wrong is vital when attempting to build  stronger relationships with the students in our classrooms because it fosters a mutual respect between both the student and the teacher.  Students appreciate an adult that is honest enough to admit when they’ve made a mistake.  They also appreciate when we are willing to listen to them.  This could be when they are pleading their case about an instance where they feel they’ve been wronged  or when they believe we’ve made an unfair decision.  There are other times when they just want to tell you about their day, weekend, recital, football game, the challenging level they beat in a video game, their favorite anime, etc.  

Do we have to learn about Rome or the Pythagorean Theorem?  Yes we do.  Would taking thirty seconds to listen to their story stop us from learning about the content?  No, it wouldn't, and beyond that it can help cultivate a climate of positivity within our classroom.  It lets the students know that they matter.  Their thoughts, feelings, the essence of who they are, their place in this world, all of it not only has value but matters to us.  It tells them that they have value as individuals beyond simply being seat fillers in our classes. If there is any one place that I notice the Lord’s help it’s in the ability to make these connections with students.

Earlier I stated everything we do in this profession matters and I truly believe that.  I’ve heard it said that teaching is “life or death.”  Initially that sounds hyperbolic, however as I look at the current state of the world and everything happening in schools that statement no longer seems like an exaggeration.  For some of these students we offer the only smile or kind words that they’ll receive all day.  We may also be the only reflection of Jesus that they encounter during the day.  Because of this, I believe it is important to be intentional when interacting with our students.  Everyday we have an opportunity to let them know that they are seen, heard, valued, and loved.  Admittedly the level or responsibility placed upon us can be overwhelming, however the Israelites referred to God as Yehovah Ezer which translates to “Lord; He is our help.”  What greater comfort can there be than knowing that the Creator of the universe not only called and equipped us but that He is also here to help us accomplish every single task that he has prepared for us?

Psalm 121:1–2: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”