Teachers as leaders... IWU devotional

Maxwell (2007) says that “Leaders act from a deep sense of responsibility”. Discuss the idea that “teachers act from a deep sense of responsibility”. It is ironic that this is the topic today... having just left church where the sermon was about finding our own "Target". What is our (individual) target in life? Finding our spiritual gifts will help us to reach the target that God has intended for us. We read through Romans 12 and 1Corinthians 12. Basically, the sermon was to find our own spriritual gift and then use it to glorify God. One thing that I found interesting was the distinction the apostle Paul made in Romans 12:7-8 (NLT) "If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. (8) If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for sowing kindness to others, do it gladly." A point that Pastor Scott Greene made today was that Paul used the name of the gift in the action we are to do -- all except one: to lead. Paul made the distinction for leaders to "take the responsibility seriously". As leaders in our school we are called to not only be teachers of children, (in which a tremendous amount of responsibility has been placed upon us for), but also to responsibly lead others in our building. Yes, I agree with the statement that teachers act from a deep sense of responsibility -- and most of us take that responsibility seriously... but also I think there's so much more that teachers feel than just a responsibility to teach. I go back to the sermon today... a spiritual gift is a supernatural gift from God that was woven into us at birth. God has given us (teachers) a predisposition to teach, most of us (if we have found our target) have a passion for our students and our profession that goes beyond just the sense of responsibility we feel... it's a calling. (Thank-you Scott Greene for a wonderful sermon today... I hope I hit the "target" in recapping your message.) Shannon

Choices

As I was reading the IWU devotion for this week-- one thing that struck me for the first time was the blame. I don't think I ever noticed it before... Adam blamed God, “But it was the woman you gave me…", while Eve blamed "The serpent tricked me" (Genesis 3:12,13 NKJV). Neither of them accepted responsibility for breaking God's command. As a parent, I know that my reaction is totally different when my children accept responsibility for their actions instead of blaming others for something that they did. I wonder if God would have given the same punishment (Romans 5:12) had Adam and Eve said they were sorry and repented instead of hiding and blaming. Just a thought... Many things keep us separated from others and God -- pride, shame & guilt to name a few. When we are ashamed of where we are or what we are doing we draw away from God and others. Things that keep us connected to others are faith, friendship, common likes/dislikes, occupations, etc. When we have things in common, it is easier to stay connected. When we attend church, we as a church body are connected together and also to God. Church brings people together. We were created to be with God, to be a part of His family. Our sin causes a strain in our relationship, just as a child breaking the rules needs to be corrected, we as sinners need to be corrected by God. He holds us accountable and lets us know when He disapproves of our choices and/ or actions. Sin affects our destiny and our sense of purpose because for God it was always HIS plan that we be with HIM for eternity. Now, it is our choice whether or not we go into eternity at His side. We can choose to accept Jesus or not. We can choose to live according to His plan - or not. The choice was never in God's plan. His plan was perfect until Adam and Eve chose to sin. What choices will I make as a result of this new understanding??? I choose to accept responsibility for my actions because I choose to Live for Him. (Romans 5:12 – When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.)

No longer a tech blog... just my own.

Ok, so my technology class ended and I have had a professional crisis in my classroom... need an outlet -- gonna let it flow and try to maintain the professionalism in a personal blog.

Why do senseless crimes take place? Why do people make devastating choices with no regard for the consequences on the lives of others -- especially the innocent? Why are children so often the target of evil?

I'm referring to Michael P. and the brutal killing of my student, Ali. What I am left with are the 28 little faces that need me to make sense of this for them -- need to feel safe again. If this can happen to their friend, what's preventing it from happening to them? Michael picked Ali up from school, he was HERE -- in their safe place. What's keeping him from coming back for them? These are valid questions in the minds of 8 and 9 year old boys and girls.

How do I make them feel safe again? How do I comfort the loss of their friend? How can I ever expect them to learn academically if their basic needs (safety and security) are not met?

I pray that God gives me the wisdom and courage to answer their questions. I pray that they have the courage to express their feelings and questions. I pray that parents are asking the types of questions that spur discussion and talking about this with their kids -- not trying to protect them by sheltering them from the tragic events that happened.

Healing takes time. My students will never forget Ali and her beautiful smile. My hope is that in time, they will remember her for who she was and not what happened to her in the hands of an evil man.