Being Shepherds:
In a healthy school culture, it is about the Shepherd (teacher/faculty) equipping the sheep (students). In an unhealthy school culture, it will be about the teacher. We want to make sure that our school culture is founded in equipping the sheep (students). The mission of our church is to Reach People, Build Lives! It is important that we are in alignment with the mission of our church. The students are the sheep. The teachers/faculty are the Shepherds. We are training them. Sheep: have hair that can grow long and sometimes prevent them from seeing, have great hearing, have the inclination to follow a leader into a new pasture, can become stressed when they separate from their flock, can recognize human faces for years to come, can learn to respond to their name, very trainable Shepherd: knows his sheep, takes time to develop relationships with them so they know his voice and trust him, understands what threatens sheep and what makes them sick, leads them to fresh pastures and fresh water, defends them against enemies, brings them back to the flock when they go astray, shears them so they can see, disciplines them, comforts them, works tirelessly to keep them moving forward, keeps sheep from fighting or hurting one another, anoints them with oil to heal an injury, has joy in finding lost sheep, carries them close to his heart, is gentle with the young sheep, has deepest satisfaction when the sheep are well fed and safe, rejoices in the prosperity of the flock- the shepherd is INVESTED What is our school mission? To train disciples to impact their home, community, workplace & world. Q: Who are the disciples that we reference in our mission? A: the students Q: Who is the person doing the training? A: the teachers Training takes time. To train (definition): to teach a skill or type of behavior through practice and instruction over a period of time. 1. Teaching requires more hands on work than than most other professions. “The teachers job is to help students see themselves in this continuum and to get them moving” (Teaching to Change Lives) Ultimate goal of teaching is GROWTH... academic & spiritual growth. *Academically: We need to give constant feedback so students can correct errors and lead them in the right way so that they will grow in knowledge. We teach from a biblical worldview *Spiritually: Speak the truth in grace. When situations arise we need to work with the students so that they learn and grow from the situation. Be consistent in discipline yet allow kindness to bring repentance. Romans 2: 4 MSG “God is kind, but He is not soft. In kindness he takes us fairly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. 2. If we take the time to listen to children, love them despite their behavior and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in training them we will be in awe of the GROWTH that we will send at the end of the school year. *Academically: We are in covenant with families until they withdraw, are dismissed or the school year ends. We need to make sure that we are doing what we say we will do. Make sure you have helps classes weekly (they are a form of intervention for those who need more help). Teach bell to bell and answer any questions they may have academically. *Spiritually: Pray for your students by name. Speak kindly to them and their parents. When we see a parent, go out of your way to say hello. This job is one of public relations. Keep all communication with parents and students in the attitude of love. 1 Corinthians 13:3-7 MSG “If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.” Do not say or do anything that is not out of love. Every loveless act is sin. Think about it.... Who do we not treat with love? 3. Providing a clean and organized classroom, ample instruction, and consistent discipline and training is essential to maintaining a healthy classroom culture that desires student GROWTH. The success of a teacher is in the compassion they have for each individual. We have to tend to the flock but care for the individual. *Academically: being able to identify an academically weak student and making sure that you have done everything that you could have to help them succeed academically *Spiritually: identifying a broken child that shows symptoms of bad behavior (lying, cheating, aggression, and even manipulation) and making sure that you have done everything that you could have to help them be restored to the Father This can be hard for the shepherd. Sometimes we have that one sheep that is stubborn or wants to do their own thing. Sometimes we may be faced with a temptation to strike back. We must remember that God is love. We are a reflection of His love and kindness can lead to repentance. Matthew 18:12-14 MSG “Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one?” Here are some Conflict Resolution tips that will help you when circumstances arise that require us to care for the individual student:
Why do you teach? Great pride comes in caring for children. Maybe - personal satisfaction. The humble work of teaching something for the first time can be unmatched. The gift of teaching through the lens of a biblical worldview is eternal. At the end of the day, we all do what we do because we are called. Remember: In a healthy school culture, it is about the Shepherd (teacher/faculty) equipping the sheep (students). In an unhealthy school culture, it will be about the teacher. We want to make sure that our school culture is founded in equipping the sheep (students).
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