The Power of Teacher

"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.In all situations it is my response that decides whether or not a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or de-humanized. I am part of a team of educators creating a safe, caring and positive learning environment for students and teaching them in a manner that ensures success becuase all individuals are capable of learning."  (Dr. Haim Ginott, 1993)

What do You Want for Christmas?

What do you want for Christmas?  This is a normal question that children ask at this time of the year.  As I was reading the Christmas story as written in Luke 2, I was reminded how inconvenient our Saviour's birth was.  First off, the holy family had to travel to Bethlehem while Mary was great with child.  Then once they got there to register, not only did they lose a couple days of work but they had to find food and shelter and on top of that, they were to be taxed!  There was nothing convenient about the nativity!  As I compare the inconvenience of the first Christmas to the all of the conveniences that we celebrate with today, my heart yearns to help children embrace a deeper meaning for Christmas.  Its not about "getting" but about following God's plan.  Mary and Joseph followed God's plan.  You and I are called to follow God's plan.  It may not always feel good or be convenient but it is always good!  What do you want for Christmas this year?  As for me and my house, we want God's plan.  How about you?  Let's lead our families toward a Christ centered Christmas where it is more about God than it is about us.  

Primary Colors - Primary Rules

 

Just as there are three primary colors (red, blue and Yellow) that combine to color our world, I am suggesting that there are three rules that combine to color our families, classrooms and workplaces.

1.  Obey
Ephesians 6 clearly outlines the expectation for obedience.  I would suggest that this obedience should happen right away and without argument.  If the child has a complaint or wants to request special consideration, he/she should be taught how to make a respectful appeal.
What primary color represents the rule to obey?

2.  Love
The message to love in 1 Corinthians 13 is very clear.  If we don't have love, we have nothing.  Love is patient, kind, persevering, self control, truthful, faithful and humble.
What primary color represents the rule to love?

3.  Honor
Matthew 5-7 is the sermon that Jesus preached to teach us how to live.  In a nutshell, we are to
treat others as special (Mt. 5:1-12),
do more than what is expected (Mt. 5:13-6:4) and
have a good attitude (Mt. 6:4-7:28).
What primary color represents the rule to honor?