April 22, 2015
My main goal is for my students to learn that they are blessings, unique creations of God, who can experience a personal relationship with Jesus. As a teacher, I endeavor to guide students to seek God's will in their lives, as opposed to searching after material and worldly objects. As God has created each student with unique gifts and challenges, a Christian teacher should support individual academic, cognitive, social, physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Furthermore, a biblical worldview should permeate every subject and area of instruction.
The Bible from start to finish is God's plan of reconciliation; the key is 2 Corinthians 5:17–21. We are Christ's messengers/ambassadors to bring this message of reconciliation to others, including our students. This is intriguing that God would entrust such an important message to me personally! What a responsibility; but it is encouraging to know that I have a purpose.
I plan to live my life as a good example for my students and their parents, through the help of the Holy Spirit. I will continue to learn and develop into the teacher God wants me to be, and continually and prayerfully examine my motives—is my main goal seeking first God's kingdom? I will seek to continue increasing my teaching expertise by allowing other teachers to mentor me. I will also seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in doing His will, in teaching and all areas of my life.
In addition to teaching methods courses at God's Bible School and College, I have read all the required books for ACSI certification. I have also viewed all of the material in Derek Keenan's The Philosophy of Christian School Education series of video lectures. These resources, as well as teaching field and observation experiences, have aided in the development of my philosophy of Christian education.
Matthew 22: 26-40, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Col. 2:2-3, and Luke 6:40 drive my educational philosophy. As a parent and teacher, I want to prepare and guide children to live the Christian life in the world. We must boldly stand for absolute truth. Moreland writes that "a major cause of our current cultural crisis consists of a worldview shift from a Judeo-Christian understanding of reality to a post-Christian one." (Moreland, Kindle) I endeavor to teach Biblical truth to students about the nature of God and man, according to the Word of God.
The Bible from start to finish is God's plan of reconciliation; the key is 2 Corinthians 5:17–21. Richards asks, "What, then, motivates and sustains creative Bible teachers? It is the awareness that they are actually instruments in the hands of God being used to achieve His work of reconciliation in this world." (Richards, Lawrence O., Kindle Locations 989-991)
We are Christ's messengers/ambassadors to bring this message of reconciliation to others, including our students. This is intriguing that God would entrust such an important message to me personally, What a responsibility! Yet it is encouraging to know that I have a purpose.
The child is created in the image of God, and the child has spiritual needs; how will they grow in a healthy way without a spiritual aspect incorporated (not just added on haphazardly later) into academics? In The Philosophy of Christian School Education, “Session 2: Worldview”, it is essential to remember that "The students in my class are becoming someone different...what they love and what they care about" is changing, based on what I teach. (Derek Keenan's The Philosophy of Christian School Education)
Worldview matters, because it determines action. In teaching, I need to be humble before God, dependent on His strength to teach His truth according to His will through my example and my lessons. In the video series, I learned that philosophy means “love of wisdom.” I passionately believe in the paramount importance of teaching our students to love wisdom, in the biblical sense.
I agree with Keenan that logic is also important in education, and “the most logical thing a person can do is put their faith in Jesus Christ.” ((Derek Keenan's The Philosophy of Christian School Education) The video series cited three common worldviews: Atheism, Pantheism, and theism, but only theism believes in absolute truth. It is illogical to believe one can create their own reality. Rom 1:19-20..."...since what may be known about God...men are without excuse." Truly, we are more than just physical, biochemical beings—we are created in the image of God. I affirm Keenan's statement that in biblical ethics, we are to “do the next right thing,” according to the Bible. As a teacher, I need to show students how to have clear lenses in their spiritual glasses to learn to evaluate worldviews, so they can be “in the world but not of it.” Students need to know that the Bible is truth, the infallible Word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17) and Jesus Christ is the "way, the truth and the life.”
Academically, teachers must help students to learn basic and practical living skills in Bible application, science, social studies mathematics, language arts, fine arts, logical reasoning, technology, and critical thinking skills. My curriculum choices are biblically motivated and focused on each student’s individual learning style. There is no such thing as “neutral” teaching or materials; all have a worldview. Van Brummelens correctly states that “What is clear is that even so-called neutral teaching involves initiation into distinct patterns of thought and behavior. Teaching cannot but encourage commitment of some kind, even if it is to the idea that all worldviews are equally acceptable. Teachers live and nurture a way of life. That is why it is so important that their commitments be clear and defensible.” (Van Brummelen, Kindle Locations 215-217)
In addition, a well-rounded education promotes godly sportsmanship and teamwork,and good health through a wise use of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, lifetime fitness activities.1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 says: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
"Being successful in school or in business, being rewarded for accomplishments, being a big giver—none of these can adequately define individual fulfillment in God’s kingdom." (Graham, Kindle Locations 1182-1184) My goal is to equip students to follow God’s will in their lives and become productive Christians in our society. Under the authority of God and parents, teachers can "pass the baton" to the next Christian generation, guiding students in spiritual, academical, social, and physical development, to become lifetime learners(II Peter 1:5 and Luke 2:40).
Effective classroom management is essential, as a child must be “teachable” in order to learn. Children must be teachable in order to interact well with the teacher and classmates. Negative behavior distracts the child, the teacher, and the class. "Discipline is not an end in itself; it is a means to promote meaningful learning." (Greene, Kindle Location 3827)
If a child cannot behave appropriately in a classroom, and will not show proper respect for the classroom teacher, school and parental authorities need to be consulted as soon as possible. The Bible, in Proverbs 22:8, charges parents with the responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go.”
Teachers can help students behave by reminding the children of the “class rules” at the beginning of each class. It is important to limit rules to only those that are absolutely necessary for students to learn, and to encourage positive changes, no matter how small. I really like to have active, hands on fun activities, so children that are having a hard time listening usually end up being recruited as my “special helpers.” In all things, we should treat the child, as God’s creation, the way we would want to be treated, and model that behavior.
I feel called by God to help children to succeed, regardless of learning challenges or disabilities. I have been involved in the homeschool community for over twenty years. I am passionate about helping students reach their maximum potential, but all students should be treated with respect. Students should not be isolated due to disability, but should stay in Christian community, learning and worshiping God in the least restrictive learning environment. God has created each child in His image, as a unique individual, with great potential, gifts and challenges whether a person is typically developing or has exceptional learning challenges, or is exceptionally gifted academically.
Children with disabilities often struggle with learning, mobility (coordination issues), receptive and expressive language, self-care, and self-direction. Some people, such as those with Down syndrome, also struggle with physical health issues, such as heart disease, and may not be able to live a normal life span. Curriculum should be based on both the person’s strengths and weaknesses; students with learning challenges should not be limited to vocational training but should also be encouraged in areas of personal interest. Individualized learning and support can help most people achieve more independence and integration into society. A child with disabilities can often function in the general education classroom, if he or she is given appropriate support and adaptive equipment. Full inclusion may present serious issues and challenges for a child with severe disabilities. It will require a team approach with the general education teacher, specialized consultants and therapists. The authority of the parents and guardians should be respected as well. In my role as an education consultant or classroom teacher, I would ask myself, “What would I want for my own child?” Most of all, I want my students to be aware that they are beloved children of God.
If a child is unable to self regulate, the child’s problem may be physical or environmental—for instance, a child that has recently lost a loved one. Whatever the cause, the teacher needs to ensure that the child (and other children affected) is safe and receiving adequate medical care, while supporting parental authority.
2 Peter 1:5 reminds me to “...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control perseverance; ant to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Socially and personally, it is paramount to continually grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and in understanding of His Word. In addition, teachers can guide students to develop godly character, a personal devotional time, wise stewardship of money, time, and talents, develop Christ-like standards in relationships with others, knowledge and skills to defend their faith, and develop listening skills, speaking abilities, critical thinking, and a love of lifetime learning.
Every human being is valuable, created in the image of God. All children, whatever their abilities or challenges, are wonderfully created for a purpose. They are endowed by their Creator (as the Declaration of Independence states) with both inalienable rights, and individual gifts and challenges, like all of us.
Teachers need to be fed spiritually in order to continue to feed Jesus' sheep, maintaining fellowship with an active body of Christ, and regularly attending at a Bible-believing church. I am a longtime attender and member of the Vineyard church, and endorse the Vineyard Columbus statement of faith, http://www.vineyardcolumbus.org/im-new/our-faith/statement-of-faith . I am currently involved in leadership to help grow a new Vineyard church in Whitehall, Ohio (see http://www.VineyardWhitehall.org ).
"Education conveys to the young responses to the most profound questions of life—questions of truth and falsehood, of beauty and ugliness, of good and evil. These affirmations may be expressed in what an education fails to do as well as in what it does, in what it rejects as well as in what it adopts." Foundations of Christian School Education (Kindle Locations 1156-1158)
As a teacher it is my responsibility to model Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." I am mindful of the awesome responsibility in teaching God's precious children spoken of in James 3:1: “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”
Therefore, I will continue to learn and develop into the teacher God wants me to be, prayerfully examining my motives—is my main goal seeking first God's kingdom? I will seek to continue increasing my teaching expertise by allowing other teachers to mentor me. I will also seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in doing His will, in teaching and all areas of my life. Day by day, “May the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 )
References
Foundations of Christian School Education. Colorado Springs, CO: ACSI, 2003 (800) 367-0798.
Love Your God With All Your Mind. J. P. Moreland. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1997. ACSI, Colorado Springs, CO: (800) 367-0798.
The Philosophy of Christian School Education DVD by Dr. Derek Keenan, ACSI
Teaching Redemptively: Bringing Grace and Truth into Your Classroom. Donovan Graham. Colorado Springs, CO: ACSI, 2004. (800) 367-0798
Reclaiming the Future of Christian Education. Albert E. Greene. Colorado Springs, CO: ACSI, 1998. (800) 367-0798
Richards, Lawrence O.; Bredfeldt, Gary (1998-03-01). Creative Bible Teaching (Kindle Locations 989-991). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Steppingstones to Curriculum. Dr. Harro Van Brumelen, 2002. ACSI, Colorado
Springs, CO: 800-367-0798.