My Perspective on Teaching
November 2013
Men and women are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Humans are therefore called to reflect the character of God. Since the purpose of education is to "develop a response to our calling in life" the Christian response to education is to help students understand how they are to be mirrors of God's glory here on earth (Graham, 2009.)
The moment Adam and Eve disobeyed, the world entered into a series of sin and pain. Our role as humans is to worship God in all we do, and to work with Him in fulfilling the redemption of the world (Graham, 2009). As humans, we are responsible for developing our unique capabilities, and using them to help advance God's kingdom here on earth. Therefore, as an educator I feel called to teach students based on the knowledge that this is God's world. I will guide students knowing they are reflectors of God' image, and help develop them for practicing acts of redemption.
Knowledge is God given truth. It is the skills, information, and emotions that I know to be true. Knowledge is found through direct experience or through instruction. Therefore, knowledge of worth is that which equips students to better understand the details of creation and the fallen world we live in, and that which will provide tools to help them respond to the needs of our world. The model of creation, fall and redemption can be used to structure lessons in all school settings (Stronks & Stronks, 1999). I will implement my beliefs about what should be taught, by structuring curriculum in a way that helps students reflect on these areas.
The complexity of the brain, and our ability to learn, is a gift through God's grace. According to Palmer (1993) "learning is to face transformation" and by learning God's truths, found within every subject, "conversion would be required" (p. 40). True learning gives students awe for God, and calls them to strive after God's original intentions for creation. My pedagogy will put my students in situations that might stir wonder about the creator of the universe or help students come to recognize God's presence on their own. For example, by letting students experience the complexity of nature they could experience God's power and detailed works in their own way. As a teacher, I can place students in learning situations that might lead them to "face transformation." In this way I act as a gardener, planting seeds of biblical truth into students, whether or not I can actually speak of God. God will take the seeds I plant and let them grow, producing trust and hope in His name.
According to 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, each child is a valuable part of the body of Christ, and the classroom. With this in mind, I will teach in a way that promotes each child to learn, and will also create a community that celebrates the students’ unique talents, cultures, languages, and stories. I will make sure each students’ culture is showcased multiple times throughout the year, by allowing students to share their language, ideas, and cultural characteristics with the class. I will also bring different learning styles into the classroom, by allowing choices for students during lessons and by being intentional about teaching in a variety of ways. I will also use the students' experiences to shape lessons, by paying attention to the students' lives and how I can incorporate aspects of them into the curriculum. I want to create an environment where all students feel they can contribute and help guide the process of learning. I will not be the main leader, or source of truth. Students will learn together in groups, ask questions, and give input.
In order to promote a classroom community that fosters and supports learning in this way, I will be committed to keeping my classroom organized and free of clutter. I will also provide students with hands on materials and visuals that inspire them to learn. There will be one place in my classroom where students can post their "discoveries" on bulletin board to share with others in the class. Also, providing spaces where group work or individual learning can occur is important in accommodating different learning styles. Overall, I want my classroom to be a place where both the community and the individual students are supported.
As a teacher, I will make sure that my actions in the classroom are rooted in God’s love and will teach in a way that influences students to think about their creator and the God they reflect here on earth.
Sources:
Graham, D. (2009). Biblical norms for educational purpose. In Teaching Redemptively, Bringing Grace and Truth into Your Classroom, (2nd ed), chapter 5. Colorado Springs: Purposeful Designs.
Palmer, P. (1993). To Know as We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey. New York: HarperCollins.
Stronks, J., & Stronks, G. (1999). Christian teachers in public schools. Grand Rapids: Baker.
Men and women are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Humans are therefore called to reflect the character of God. Since the purpose of education is to "develop a response to our calling in life" the Christian response to education is to help students understand how they are to be mirrors of God's glory here on earth (Graham, 2009.)
The moment Adam and Eve disobeyed, the world entered into a series of sin and pain. Our role as humans is to worship God in all we do, and to work with Him in fulfilling the redemption of the world (Graham, 2009). As humans, we are responsible for developing our unique capabilities, and using them to help advance God's kingdom here on earth. Therefore, as an educator I feel called to teach students based on the knowledge that this is God's world. I will guide students knowing they are reflectors of God' image, and help develop them for practicing acts of redemption.
Knowledge is God given truth. It is the skills, information, and emotions that I know to be true. Knowledge is found through direct experience or through instruction. Therefore, knowledge of worth is that which equips students to better understand the details of creation and the fallen world we live in, and that which will provide tools to help them respond to the needs of our world. The model of creation, fall and redemption can be used to structure lessons in all school settings (Stronks & Stronks, 1999). I will implement my beliefs about what should be taught, by structuring curriculum in a way that helps students reflect on these areas.
The complexity of the brain, and our ability to learn, is a gift through God's grace. According to Palmer (1993) "learning is to face transformation" and by learning God's truths, found within every subject, "conversion would be required" (p. 40). True learning gives students awe for God, and calls them to strive after God's original intentions for creation. My pedagogy will put my students in situations that might stir wonder about the creator of the universe or help students come to recognize God's presence on their own. For example, by letting students experience the complexity of nature they could experience God's power and detailed works in their own way. As a teacher, I can place students in learning situations that might lead them to "face transformation." In this way I act as a gardener, planting seeds of biblical truth into students, whether or not I can actually speak of God. God will take the seeds I plant and let them grow, producing trust and hope in His name.
According to 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, each child is a valuable part of the body of Christ, and the classroom. With this in mind, I will teach in a way that promotes each child to learn, and will also create a community that celebrates the students’ unique talents, cultures, languages, and stories. I will make sure each students’ culture is showcased multiple times throughout the year, by allowing students to share their language, ideas, and cultural characteristics with the class. I will also bring different learning styles into the classroom, by allowing choices for students during lessons and by being intentional about teaching in a variety of ways. I will also use the students' experiences to shape lessons, by paying attention to the students' lives and how I can incorporate aspects of them into the curriculum. I want to create an environment where all students feel they can contribute and help guide the process of learning. I will not be the main leader, or source of truth. Students will learn together in groups, ask questions, and give input.
In order to promote a classroom community that fosters and supports learning in this way, I will be committed to keeping my classroom organized and free of clutter. I will also provide students with hands on materials and visuals that inspire them to learn. There will be one place in my classroom where students can post their "discoveries" on bulletin board to share with others in the class. Also, providing spaces where group work or individual learning can occur is important in accommodating different learning styles. Overall, I want my classroom to be a place where both the community and the individual students are supported.
As a teacher, I will make sure that my actions in the classroom are rooted in God’s love and will teach in a way that influences students to think about their creator and the God they reflect here on earth.
Sources:
Graham, D. (2009). Biblical norms for educational purpose. In Teaching Redemptively, Bringing Grace and Truth into Your Classroom, (2nd ed), chapter 5. Colorado Springs: Purposeful Designs.
Palmer, P. (1993). To Know as We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey. New York: HarperCollins.
Stronks, J., & Stronks, G. (1999). Christian teachers in public schools. Grand Rapids: Baker.