To be honest, I had put this assignment off till the last minute. I was very aware of the time line that was set before us. But I have to admit that it was a very good article. The part that stood out to me, that teachers the living curriculum(we have heard that before)imbue their environment with an emotional culture and context that becomes more powerful than any physical structure or equipment. As teachers we want our classroom to be physically attractive, inviting and up to date with what we are teaching. But are we those things personally? Is my classroom emotionally inviting? As we start this new year 2012, my heart and prayer is that the my teaching, classroom and more importantly my heart be transformed to His.
A motto used from time to time to describe our school is, "Come and feel the difference." This article reminded me of how special this difference is because I agree with the idea that the environment is vital to helping our students become spiritually transformed. If we don't have a loving environment, our instruction to love will most likely not be observed. However, if we do have an honoring environment, our instruction to honor will most likely be embraced. If we have a high standard of obedience that is cloaked with grace, we will most likely cultivate a heart of obedience that results in discipleship among our students. The following quote stood out to me as I read the article.
"Jesus’ presence transformed spaces and places. His calling released a transformative anointing that changed those who had even the slightest interaction with Him."
Isn't this what we want? To do what we have in our heart to do is beyond our natural ability. We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit so we can create these transformed spaces and places. Let's continue to pray for fresh anointing so we can be like Jesus and do what Jesus did for the glory of God and the impact of this emerging generation.
We are going through a curriculum at church called Truefaced, and as I read the article, I thought about part of the last chapter we read. It talked about grace, and that when we live in the room of grace, trusting God to do His work in us, we mature and naturally influence the people around us. This article talked about the way that Jesus "influenced" or transformed those around Him. As we learn to live in God's grace for us AND offer that grace to others, the Holy Spirit can work though us to transform the lives of our students. The emphasis here is on God and His Spirit to do the work through us.
One good scripture to remember is from John 7:16-18..."Jesus answered, 'My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me...He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.' " It's a good one to remind us of our motives and who we are working for. If we keep that in mind, we'll be better "influencers".
I definitely need the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit to have His love flow through me to maintain a loving atmosphere and relationships in the classroom! It's exciting to see God's work in and through the students, transforming them. At our class Christmas book exchange, the last child happened to be left with the book she brought. Another child said, "I really like my book, but she can have it." and gave it away. The girl who gave the book away has been transformed in the area of kindness in the last month.
I was thinking about the paragraph about the emotional culture of my classroom (1st paragraph under bold part). One thing I want to improve on, is being more available during non-work time, for the students to talk to me. I can move out from behind my desk, and sit at their level.
I always remind myself of what was said at ACSI (can't remember who), that if adults act interested in what children are interested in, a relationship can be grown, and the influence of the adult on that child can grow. Sometimes when I start out by acting interested, I actually become truly interested. And, I feel like I can speak spiritual advice into areas (like their hobbies) that wouldn't normally come out, say in a Bible lesson.
Our family recently read “The Great Turkey Walk” by Kathleen Karr (an excellent book!). The book is fictional but I believe it shows how a teacher, Miss Rogers, created a positive emotional environment for her students, especially Simon. Simon struggled in school- so much so that he repeated each grade in elementary school. Finally at age fifteen and after completing 3rd grade for the fourth time, Miss Rogers had to “graduate” Simon. As Simon makes a plan for his life he continually remembers the teachings of Miss Rogers. It was not the book teachings that he remembered but the life and character lessons. Miss Rogers had a beautiful way of transforming the space so that Simon did not feel dumb (this was a huge contrast from his home environment). The encouragement and safety he felt in her classroom led him to plan a life adventure far beyond his educational ability.
What popped out to me in “The Great Turkey Walk” and the “Spaces, Places, and Transformation” article is that the emotional environment and character curriculum last much longer in the life of a student than the educational curriculum. Will the book math I teach transform a life?- probably not. Will the emotional environment of “encouragement, empathy, freedom to take risks, laughter, tears, and fears named and expressed” go beyond the four walls of the classroom? I believe so. In many ways I see it as preparing the soil in the Parable of the Sower. The positive emotional culture prepares good soil.
This responsibility of preparing the soil can feel overwhelming but as the article reminds me, (thankfully) the Holy Spirit is in me to help create that environment. It can also be exciting to think of partnering with God to create a place emotionally where God can transform students’ hearts. This is education that will go beyond CCS and into the journey of students’ lives. “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop- a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:8.
I believe that a safe and caring emotional space is an essential piece of an effective classroom. Each student should feel loved, secure and celebrated. At the middle school level, relationship with students becomes so important. At this age, students no longer perform just because it's expected.
For some students, whether or not they like a teacher determines their sucess in the classroom. I want each student my class to know that I care about him/her. The Holy Spirit's work in our lives and classrooms allows us to go beyond just creating a safe space and speak truths that transform our students' lives. Hopefully, students leave CCS feeling secure, not only in our classrooms, but also in the knowledge of who they are in Christ.
I love being part of a school where a warm and caring emotional environment is cultivated, not only for students, but among the staff as well. What a joy to work with my friends each day!
One of the last school days before Christmas break, I was talking with one of my students and she asked me, "Miss Maust, you wanna know I was so shy at the beginning of the year?" Of course I did...the response: "I didn't know you or if you were gonna be scary or nice." Not...if the other students were friendly, or if school was going to be too hard, or if there would be a lot of homework, or if she'd miss her mom. The way I interacted with my students was the determining factor in her deciding if she was going to bloom or not. Yikes! That humbled me quite a bit. I can have a neatly decorated room, a good knowledge of content, a fabulous schedule--but if I'm missing that invitation to warmly connect with their beings and to foster a safe and caring environment, they may just never open up completely. May my kiddos always feel valued and encouraged---God, fill us all with more of your tendering loving care!
Maher summed it up best when she wrote: "...you carry the Holy Spirit with you into the classroom." This requires every teacher to be walking in step with the Spirit. Here's why: Everyday we get new students in the classroom. We probably don't know what their life has been like since we last saw them. At the middle school level, their emotions and thoughts fluctuate up and down, and what may have worked the previous time in presenting a safe, encouraging classroom atmosphere may not work this time. We must look to the Holy Spirit for the wisdom for the day; sometimes for any given moment.
As I read this article, I thought of a story I once heard of about Oprah Winfrey. Someone asked her about her success and she credited it to her 3rd grade teacher who asked her to do a simple chore (I think it was to sharpen pencils) in the classroom. She said it made her feel like she was important and had value, something she didn't get at home. This article was a good reminder that to have my classroom emotionally ready, I need to have taken time to be with the One who accepts and encourages me so that my classroom can have emotional security. How thankful I am for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life.
When I read this article I really thought about the emotional culture of my classroom and the space that is required to minister these needs. So much of of Preschool is about teaching the children to give others space, to be kind, truthful and become aware of others feelings. I deal with fear, tears, laughter and seperation anxieties so I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit is with me to give me the patience and compassion to teach and model for these little ones the transforming nature of Jesus.
My goal has always been to make the environment safe, loving and encouraging. To also make an impact on how they can learn to know Jesus and develop the character that pleases Him. I feel so priviledged that God has supplied such an environment for me to be a part of. It is so nice to be encouraged myself when reading articles like this to know that God is working through me to help transform these children and even their parents.