Students and the Community (PTA/PTO Part II)
Hey, Everyone
Now, this was something I CHOSE TO DO because 1)I was single 2)I was bilingual with Spanish (not a necessity) 3)I took it on as a “personal ministry”. In 1997 I was teaching ESL, and where I was attending church at the time had a Hispanic outreach program, and it had a Spanish-speaking preacher. The preacher moved, and they needed someone to preach while they looked for a full-time replacement. I volunteered to preach, but I also acted as a youth minister. I invited my students (my student population was 100% Hispanic) from my classroom to come to church services and to participate in after church activities on Sundays. It was a lot of time and effort, but I really enjoyed it. At the end of that school year, the church found a full-time preacher, and I relinquished my position. That was a very fulfilling time for me.
Not every teacher can spend as much free time as I did with my students, and you SHOULD NOT FEEL OBLIGATED to; however, if the situation (church, community projects, sports) presents itself, give it a try. I enjoyed my students’ “out of the classroom” lives, and grew close to many of their parents. It was a time I truly cherish and have preserved for eternity in my heart.
Haven's Ideals by Haven Caylor-Brown 
What an awesome and rewarding experience that must of been! I would love to be able to be a part of my students’ lives outside of the classroom and get to know them on a deeper level, maybe even on a spiritual level. What a blessing that was! I hope that I have some kind of opportunity to serve my students other than in the classroom.
yes, Jessica, it was a blessing. ;o)
I am amazed at your story and it is very inspiring! I would love to get to know the families of my students better. I could give up a little of my time a couple of times a year to benefit my class! Thanks for sharing your story.
As I said to you all, I will say to myself…”if the situation presents itself, i will do it” ; however, my family is my top priority now. ;o)
I can definately see the benefit of involving students in something the teacher is personally involved in. If the teacher included students in his or her loved activity, I believe a stronger bond would be created within the classroom. Sometimes I coach youth sports through a community organization. If I still do this when I begin to teach, I will keep this blog in mind and somehow combine the students with my coaching. My ultimate goal is creating a successful classroom, and this is done by creating strong bonds.
Yes, Talisha, create those bonds.
The idea behind this is great. I fully support teacher’s becoming involved in the community where their students live. It creates a deeper relationship between teacher and student, and it helps both to see the other in a different light outside of the classroom. Teachers will have a better understanding of student’s interests, needs, and wants when they are connected through community events and participation. This makes a better teacher and can give students extra motivation that they need to succeed.
Great comment, Courtney.
Thank you for sharing such amazing experiences that you have been apart of! I have always felt a special connection with teachers that I had contact with “outside of the classroom.” This is very important in my opinion. How amazing it was though to share the Gospel with your ESL students. That is something that most public school teachers will never get to do. How lucky are you? God will bless you immensely! As we have learned from your previous posts it can be hard to get to know ESL student’s parents. With that being said, this is a wonderful way to get to know your ESL students and parents! 🙂
Yes, Rachel, I was very blessed.
Wow! That is such a blessing to impact the lives of children outside of the classroom. As a future teacher, I never really thought of inviting students to activities outside of school and I never would have thought of inviting them to church. I believe that it is important to learn students and develop long lasting relationships with them. I found your story to be very touching and inspiring to me as a future teacher.
I do, indeed, hope I had a positive impact on them. Thanks for your kind words.
What an amazing way to show your students you really care about them. At the same time you were being an example to them. An example of what it means to be a Christ follower. I truly believe leading by example is a much better testimony than preaching at someone. You will never know how many students you have saved. A very noble act!
Lindsey, your words are too kind.
This was quite a blessing to be able to minister in this way. Public school teachers walk a fine line when separating church and state with their students. My current school system would not allow me to invite students to a religious activity, although it would be a wonderful experience to be able to share. In 2003, my husband was a pastor at a church in Atlanta that had a Korean ministry. We taught in a program that used the Bible to teach free English lessons to anyone who wanted to learn English. We were so blessed with this experience and have fond memories of the friends we made at that time.
That sounds so cool. I know you were blessed sharing the Lord in the Korean community.