When I think about the sphere of education, I often think about how it can be used to reach the people in need with the Gospel. In the past two years of teaching, I've experienced the difficulty in reaching a group of students and staff with the Gospel. Being in a public school limits me from being able to say certain things I want to say and teach certain things I want to teach. Moreover, my experience has been that most teachers (tenured or not) have a difficult time expressing their thoughts on controversial topics that involve religion. Even if it means expanding the minds of students, it has been easier for teachers to gloss over the subject matter and move onto the next topic. Separation of church and state as a political construct and recent incidences in the news have put constraints on what can be said and what can be taught in public schools. Although teachers can be limited in what they say and teach, there are other alternatives to using education as a vehicle to reach those students who are in need.

It is obviously an educator’s job to teach, but I’ve realized that more than just teaching the subject matter I need to help students with their needs. Every student I have in class comes from a unique family background and an environment which has shaped who they are and who they’re becoming. Even in the more affluent schools there are many students who come from broken homes and difficult family situations. Not to mention the struggle of fitting in and understanding who they are as in individual. To be quite honest, it’s easy to teach lessons in my subject, but the most difficult thing is helping each student work through their life situations. My former students have come from broken homes with alcoholism, abuse, and neglect.

Ever since I noticed one of my hurting students during my first year of teaching, it’s been on my heart to minister to underprivileged students the best way that I possibly can. In one case, one of my colleagues and I noticed a girl on our team who was always quiet but worked really hard in all of our classes. Her quietness didn’t come from the fact that she was an introvert alone, but that she came from a difficult family. Her family just didn’t have much money. She came to school wearing the same clothes every day. The gray sweater she wore had worn out so much that her sleeves were torn and frayed. As we saw the need we decided to buy her a new wardrobe of clothing. We gave her a new sweater, some school supplies, and we had an awesome opportunity to show her that her teachers really care for her.

This is just one case, but there are so many unmet needs of students. Many students struggle with depression, anxiety, social pressure, lack of love, and insufficient resources. As Christian educators, we need to start with who we are. We need to be Christ-like in every aspect of what we do. Students are always watching and listening to everything teachers say and do. Educators need to break out of the comfortable mindset and go to the students to meet their needs. Over they years it's been amazing to see students gain interest in what I teach after I show them that I care about what goes on in their lives outside of school. I try to go out of my way to reach them by attending various sporting events, chaperoning class trips, or volunteering at student clubs, such as Science Olympiad. At times, as mentioned before, it is as basic as buying them a snack after school or as complex as walking them through difficulties they are facing at home.

What I do day-to-day is not just a job, but a calling. I feel that God has entrusted me with 120 students each year. And there are so many opportunities yet to be tapped into! I see my responsibility to be a positive-role model and a Christ-centered teacher as an essential part of what I do. I consider this generation of students a people group that needs to be reached with the transforming power of the Gospel. And I have the wonderful privilege of teaching them science and showing them what it means to be a Christ follower by how I live. What would it look like if every teacher gave selflessly and exemplified Christ to their students in all that they do? Lord help me to shine your light each day that my students will see You in me.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3