I Am Illustrative
“Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.” ~ W.E.B. DuBois
One of my favorite parts about the end of the school year is the comradery I feel with my students. They know me and I know them. We recognize each other’s quirks, struggles, and triumphs. We are learning in a community built on the values and boundaries we’ve created. Our team is not like the class next door, the class the year before, nor the class next year. We have developed a truly special atmosphere.
If given enough time, almost all students will get to know who and what teachers are, for better or for worse! So it is important that we, as educators, know who and what we are. We should be grounded in our identity and values, so we are modeling healthy, uplifting, and inspiring practices. Illustrative means to show something clearly. We are most impactful when we can demonstrate clearly that all students have value in our space, everyone has potential for growth, and all people are deserving of dignity. When we spend time in reflection, identifying our values, we will become more intentional about displaying evidence of those values in our lives.
This year, we have shown in subtle, consistent ways who we are and Whose we are. We began our journey together, centered on our calling from God, knowing we are named, claimed, equipped, and empowered. Nothing has the ability to overcome those truths. Because God has first loved us, we walk forward demonstrating our unconditional love toward those around us.
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You:
Today, may you be illustrative, demonstrating what you are, who you are, and Whose you are.
May you clearly show your identity and love in your spaces of learning.
May the Holy Spirit use your faithful obedience to instill messages of hope and worthiness into your students.
And by your example, may your students have a sense of belonging, embracing who they are as God has designed them, and illustrating strong, positive values in the world.
(From “Called to the Classroom: Daily Reflections for Educators” Day #160 by Christina Meline)
