One of the greatest joys of my job as a teacher is that I can make a difference in the life of a child. This is especially true in The Abba’s Orchard Erdkinder (high school), a small yet excellent Montessori school, because it gives a chance for teachers like me to really become close to and mentor the child.
One of the most inspiring stories that I often revisit to remind me that I teach for life-change, not just my subject, is the story of the life of Teddy Stallard. Please watch the video below in its entirety, and prepare to be inspired (and it may be wise to have tissues nearby).
This clip is from the video study series of one of my favorite books on teaching, The Seven Laws of the Learner: How to Teach Almost Anything to Practically Anyone. I would strongly recommend this book to all teachers, especially to those who work in a Christian school or Christian ministry setting (that’s the direct audience of the book). It will not only tell us that we all can be Mrs. Thompsons, but it will surely give us great tools on how to be such. Trust me, after reading this book (and, ideally, going through the video series, if you can find it) your teaching life will never be the same again.
The Abba’s Orchard faculty goes through both this study and its sister product, Teaching With Style every so often. Both of these gems were made by one of my favorite authors, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson (Christian readers would probably know him by his most famous work, The Prayer of Jabez)
I’m proud to say that I’ve also had my own Mrs. Thompson moments, and it brings tears to my eyes when I see where they are now and to hear them say that they give me credit for the formation of their person.
But I’d like to have more of those. The longer I teach (this upcoming school year will be my 7th year) the more I realize that my subjects of Literature and Humanities are just covers…the real reason a teacher, especially a Montessori teacher, exists is as an aid to life.
If you’re a teacher, I hope you feel the same way I do. We truly can have a huge impact on the next generation…and what a privilege (and a responsibility) to have in our hands the ability to do so.
May God bless us teachers.