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Here is a question from one of our visitors:
I am wondering if this book, and any others, will help me to be a better public school teacher. I do not have kids of my own, but I teach 7th grade language arts and I volunteered for Young Life for years, but I want to teach the kids God gives me each year what they really need to know in order to be successful and I want to make sure I am teaching them the right things since I am not their parent. Any suggestions?
Great question. Thank you for your commitment to the Lord and to serving kids as a teacher and as a Young Life leader. I believe that any book or teaching for that matter that deals with parenting principles will be beneficial to you as a teacher. "Going Public" is written specifically to parents, but the principles that we teach are biblical in nature and therefore hold up as truth when dealing with children. Certainly there will be some limitations on what you can incorporate given your role as teacher versus parent, but I think you will find many of the lessons helpful as you serve your students.
For instance in chapter six we share the third most important thing to teach your child - self control. In todays culture it would be easy for you as a seventh grade teacher to feel like you were asking too much to expect your students to exhibit self control, especially if they are tired or hungry or sick. Be intentional about training self control rather than self esteem into your students. Teaching your seventh graders to sit quietly will enable them to learn better from you, which in turn will allow them to do better in school, which in turn will make them feel better, which in turn will raise their self esteem. As a parent I would be thrilled if you were reinforcing what we were trying to do in this area.
One of our prayers would be for the parents of your students to be encouraged and equipped by our book. Wouldn't it be great if you were reinforcing and partnering with parents as they navigate the waters of raising middle school kids. Thanks again for all that you do.
I am wondering if this book, and any others, will help me to be a better public school teacher. I do not have kids of my own, but I teach 7th grade language arts and I volunteered for Young Life for years, but I want to teach the kids God gives me each year what they really need to know in order to be successful and I want to make sure I am teaching them the right things since I am not their parent. Any suggestions?
Great question. Thank you for your commitment to the Lord and to serving kids as a teacher and as a Young Life leader. I believe that any book or teaching for that matter that deals with parenting principles will be beneficial to you as a teacher. "Going Public" is written specifically to parents, but the principles that we teach are biblical in nature and therefore hold up as truth when dealing with children. Certainly there will be some limitations on what you can incorporate given your role as teacher versus parent, but I think you will find many of the lessons helpful as you serve your students.
For instance in chapter six we share the third most important thing to teach your child - self control. In todays culture it would be easy for you as a seventh grade teacher to feel like you were asking too much to expect your students to exhibit self control, especially if they are tired or hungry or sick. Be intentional about training self control rather than self esteem into your students. Teaching your seventh graders to sit quietly will enable them to learn better from you, which in turn will allow them to do better in school, which in turn will make them feel better, which in turn will raise their self esteem. As a parent I would be thrilled if you were reinforcing what we were trying to do in this area.
One of our prayers would be for the parents of your students to be encouraged and equipped by our book. Wouldn't it be great if you were reinforcing and partnering with parents as they navigate the waters of raising middle school kids. Thanks again for all that you do.
Thank you for your reply. I have ordered your book because I figured that I could use the principles you discuss regardless of me being a parent or not. I will keep you posted as to how this year goes as I seek to incorporate the Biblical principles God has given you to share with the public at large. You are so right about self-control being instrumental and in the middle school, I have focused on self-esteem much more than learning control. Sitting in a desk for fifty minutes is hard for most people, in public school and private by the way (I have taught in both), and learning this helps prepare young people to "be still" and listen to God so that they can follow His lead. I never saw the connection before your reply, so thank you for the insight. I so appreciate all that you and your wife, and kids for that matter, are allowing God to do through your obedience to our Heavenly Father. I pray that you feel as blessed as those who have been touched by your wisdom. Blessings
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I just wanted to comment quickly on this post. I am a born-again Christian that is studying music education at a state university, and I feel led to teach in the public school system. I read your book at first, David, because I had hoped that it would give some insight as to how to defend my calling to the public schools to my fellow believers who were discouraging me in my choice(it's unfortunate that many Christians don't view the public school system as a mission field. Some even think attending a public school is actually out of God's will, period!) Your book helped me with that and so much more! I am confident that some of the principles in the book will be very useful to me as a teacher in the classroom. Also, thanks for introducing me to the CEAI! I'm so glad that there is an association like that out there! Your family has been a blessing and encouragement to me. Thank you so much for your ministry and your book. Continue reaching and edifying the body of Christ in this area! It is needed!
With love and respect,
Samantha
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I found your book and website through an Amazon search. As a parent of 2 teenagers and a 20 year veteran teaching chemistry at a public high school, I find this very helpful. I have always been a committed christian, and although I considered homeschooling my children (I read MANY books about it before they started school) or sending them to christian school, we ultimately decided to send them to public school. They have received an excellent education taking 2-3 AP courses per year and earning strong scores on them. Their Father and I have provided the "character education" along the way and been involved at every step. My daughter and I have found some Christians look down on students in public school, but my daughter finds that she can be an example and evangelize by her actions for those around her, including her teachers. I find the same is true for myself as I can set an example for my students and my coworkers. As St. Francis said, "Preach the gospel, use words if necessary." also, Bishop Fulton Sheen said, "If you want your children to lose their faith, send them to a Catholic school, if you want them to learn to fight for their faith, send them to a public school."
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