I know one thing for certain, teaching is not for the faint of heart. Especially in public schools. To be able to manage the layers of accountability in this field, you have to have a particular stamina, a drive to serve sacrificially, and regard all of it as a calling. To use your gifts expecting nothing but the satisfaction of knowing you left it all in the classroom each day.
I often ask myself, what would happen if instead of reacting to the daily drama when it comes to us, we prayed or spoke the word over the situation. In fact, this is exactly what I believe I am charged to do. I believe that because I have been prepared for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14) I am required and expected, by God, to govern myself accordingly. I have had to meditate on the word many times in a given day: “no weapon formed against me shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17); “I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus”(Romans 8:37); “Let the peace of God, which passes all understanding guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus” (Phillippians 4:7) and that is just on the drive to work. I have memorized scriptures so that when troubles threaten to shows up in any form I can pray over the situation and walk in victory.
I’m sure to some people, this may sound preachy and philosophical, especially if you do not know my background. People who have never taught in a classroom will definitely think I’m “doing too much” as the kids say. But knowing I teach as context, should make most want to add oil and holy water instead of thinking I’m overdoing it.
People should know that teaching middle school introduces me to an interesting bunch of adolescents, and from time-to-time I have a week like this past week. If I did not have scriptures, songs and prayers, I would not be able to do what I do every day. For example, at the top of last week, the children were a bit anxious because parent conferences and progress reports were coming up. To make matters worse, the level of anxiety in this current population of middle school cherubs manifests itself sometimes in aggression, anger and even less self-regulation than one might expect from this age group. As an informed educator and coach, I recognize the reactions and do what I have said since the beginning, I try my best to lean on the word of God for my own composure. I also appeal to the sensibility of the student and reason with them about their progress report as an indicator of performance up to this point, not a declaration of failure. I encourage them that this one grade is certainly not the last word on their future. Sometimes, people, and especially children, believe that once they have made it to a certain point in their life, they cannot possibly change direction or alter their trajectory. This belief in their imminent failure, most of the time, drives them toward a negative reaction.
I know about the reaction because I have a ring side seat and have been negatively addressed by some of the anxious children in my class. My background and experience have taught me to consider the consequences for behaviors and responses, mine included. I know that if my response is not part of professional pedagogy or preferred response, I have a lot more to lose than they do. My reaction requires self-talk, meditation and breathing to avoid reacting the way I might have reacted in my youth – my instincts must be managed and I have to remember to be intentional in every action towards students. In most case, the student becomes hypersensitive when they are not living up to their own expectations or to those of their parents. Naturally, there is a tendency for the student to overreact just to get out of the class, to give their parents something other than their grades to focus on, and to impress their peers. As the adult in the room the responsibility to assess and react appropriately is a 20 second exchange.
Prayer, meditation and calm are the best reactions to overreaction. I truly ask God to protect me in moments that are threatening my countenance and my peace. The temptation to speak is often greater than the ability in myself to remain professional and cognizant of the child before me. It is in these moments that I use memorized scripture to guide my response “let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable...” (Psalm 19:14). I also take that same moment to pray against the aggression, anger and anxiety of the child who is acting out. I silently call them by name. God has allowed them into my life for a season and a reason. Only then do I allow myself to speak to them to help them to respond correctly to their report card and hold themselves accountable for the rewards and consequences of their choices.
It is my hope that if I teach this to them in the manner that it was taught to me, they will learn in their childhood what it took me many decades past childhood to fully grasp.
One thing I try to demonstrate for them is what it is like to walk in confidence of God. I know that no good thing will be kept from me, and no harm will come to me as long as I do what he says and go where he says to go. I want others to feel that peace and comfort of knowing he will be by our side, even when we don’t think so because he said he would. Me hustling to do my job as an educator all day is not about me, or my students, it is instead all about demonstrating how to walk in my purpose!
Perhaps when they are older, living their best life, they will be able to teach others. Hopefully breaking self-destructive cycles.
I am not perfect either, I’m sure they see that. I lose it sometimes because of frustration and feeling like I’m not reaching some of them and knowing that they are acting like they don’t care, because they are not fully aware of what is really at stake. I get up each day knowing who I work for. I know that I am an example.
Finally, I put a song in my heart that will help me take each step knowing it’s going to be alright. Bishop Hezekiah Walker’s song says, “I pray for you, you pray for me, I love you I need you to survive. I won’t hurt with words from my mouth I love you, I need you to survive. It is His will that every need be supplied, you are important to me I need you to survive.”
Repeat…