A recurring theme in my life right centers around this question: what do I value? In preparation for the summer, I have been reading academic journal articles on Education to see what they think are some of the necessary attributes for a teacher when they teach students from low S.E.S. families. The most frequently referenced attribute a teacher needs to have: a love for learning.
Not only was this referenced in articles, but it was also mentioned in an educational forum I attended last week for class. The forum speakers were Dr. Louise Cowan, one of the most brilliant literary minds and Dr. Diane Ravitch, one of the leading historians on American Education. Both of them claimed teachers' enthusiasm in their own learning rubbed off on to their own students which enabled them to be more successful in school.
Do I disagree with these sentiments? Of course not, I think they are right on the money. But the bombardment of this solitary theme over a one week period caused me to reflect a little bit on my own life. As a future teacher, do I value my own learning? Leading up to my experiences at UD, I would say emphatically and consciously (sad to reflect upon) NO! At the present moment, though, I would say I do value learning -- but I still slip into days and weeks where I don't.
So, of course, I got down on myself a little bit knowing that I'm not where I need to be, yet. But the one thing I do know, reading about what I need to become and listening to brilliant people talk about the virtues of teaching, helped arise in me a passion to become a great teacher. This whole project of building an academic, 6-8th grade, curriculum for the summer helped fuel the desire, as well.
As I reflected upon what I value as a future educator, I also applied the question to another important area of my life -- my faith.
I'm not going to lie, it is hard to live the Christian life as a college student. It is almost as if the majority of Christians who go to college end up devaluing Christ for a period of 4 or so years (including me). The shape and form of devaluing looks a little bit different for everyone: some by excess booze, some by sex, some by pride, some by selfish ambition, some by lack of love, and the list goes on forever....
For me, my devaluation of Christ probably takes the shape of an ugly, 3 headed monster of some sort, contrived from the latter three vices I placed in the above list. Fun ones, huh? Not really.
Okay, to continue on the theme...So, if a teacher is someone who loves and values learning, what is a Christian and what does he/she value?
Of course, I think learning can be apart of the definition of a Christian because God gave us the ability to use our brain and reason and think logically so the more we learn, the more we become who he wants us to be. But, I think that is more a correlation than anything else.
What is at the heart of it, then? It must be, and has to be, Love. No matter how many good deeds I do, no matter how many times I go to
I think this song sums this post up nicely in that it represents the Grace God gives to us in spite of constantly devaluing him:
Daily I could look at the gold
And the fine, fine silver
With which You have adorned
My arms and neck and fingers
So I was called beauty in the eyes
These gifts assured me You were mine
So I was called beauty in the eyes
Of my God and the angels
Yet I sold all the jewels that You gave to me
And I used all the cash on other lovers I’d see
Hoping that none would discover this feat
Of the muck and the mire I’d continue to feast
Daily I could take in the scent of the fragrance You’ve sprinkled on me
And all the clothes made of cashmere You give cause’ You call me lovely
Daily I could look at how fair I was because of You
Instead I’d forget what You’ve given and living for suitors I’d choose
Still I remain treasured in the eyes
Still I remain treasured in the eyes
Still I remain treasured in the eyes
Of my God and the angels
Yet I sold all the jewels that You gave to me
And I used all the cash on other lovers I’d see
Hoping that none would discover this feat
Of the muck and the mire I’d continue to feast
Do not spare the rod how I long for faithfulness
Tell me once again of Your grace and woo me in
Let not these lovers be more attractive than You God
Remind me of love, remind of You, Jesus all of You
Still I remain treasured in the eyes
-Called Beauty by Jenny & Tyler
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