Today, my kids found out their teacher for second grade and kindergarten. It has always been a tradition to do the classic, “Stand by your class list and let’s take a picture!”
But after the picture is taken, you get back in the car and do what? You stalk the teacher! You add him or her on Facebook, you scroll through the pictures that are public, you find out who your mutual friends are, you check their previous jobs, their favorite football team, and where they stand politically.
After the stalking, we begin the talking.
You start calling around, asking about your son or daughter’s chosen teacher. “Is she tough?” “Does she like her job?” “Is she close to retiring?” “Does she teach like she’s close to retiring?”
So far, nothing you have done is wrong. Sure, it’s a little creepy. I mean, it’s always a little strange to stalk anyone, but it’s harmless–you’re simply looking out for your child’s best interest. You want to prep them, ya know, for the year. The person who is really walking in the line of fire is the person on the other end of that phone call.
“She is the reason my child can read!” “She was so sweet.” You get some of these, but you get a lot of these: “Yikes…” “Well, she’s not the worst but he’s not the best.” “He wasn’t great for my son.” “He didn’t cater to my child’s needs.” “She stayed on her phone most of the time.” “She picked favorites.” “I should have told you to request out of her class.”
I never knew this madness existed, until I had kids in the system. My husband and I are both educators. My two kids are in the same school system that I teach in. We live in a pretty small city. No matter where you go, you rarely ever meet a stranger. Especially, if you’re an educator.
Proverbs 11:17 says, “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.” When someone calls to ask you about that teacher, you can say one of two things. A “kind” word, or a “cruel” word. And, no pressure, but it boils down to a life or death decision; one that can nourish or destroy.
That teacher is someone’s mom, someone’s dad, a husband, a wife, a friend, a son, a daughter, a neighbor, a caregiver, a Sunday school teacher, a role model, and a servant. That teacher is a real human being with real feelings and real concerns.
And this year, more than ever, that teacher is a superhero. They did not sign up to help in the line of medical complications on a daily bases, but they did take a vow to make sure your child is educated for the real world. And while they’re at it, they even decided to teach your child some moral values, ethics, character, and kindness along the way.
God created these superheroes in a very special way. Their mission field is your kids. They let their light shine bright every day. God saved them for this very purpose. Your child in his or her classroom is for the purpose of you both. Esther 4:14 says, “Perhaps you were born for such a time as THIS.” They make mistakes, sure. Don’t you? Don’t your kids? But, ultimately, they do their best so that your kids can have the best.
Can I challenge you to do two things different this year?
After you take the picture in front of the class list, hop in the car, and have your child pray for that teacher. There is a reason Christ loved the little children so much. Because their hearts are so pure. Our prayers could take some lessons from them.
Instead of stalking and talking, how about we make a list of all the positives from last year’s teacher. Send him/her an email of thanksgiving letting them know that they’re appreciated. This activity will set your year off right for looking for all those wildflowers and not all the weeds.
HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!
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