Chapter 3
Taking on the role to become an influential educator of the future is an enormous responsibility. For decades, education has been changing from students should “be quiet in their seats and just do the work assigned” to a “complex and dynamic learning environment” that fosters each individual’s potential ability to grow not just as a student, but as a more impactful human being. We are not just teachers, but we are “change agents” that are tasked to help unlock our student’s abilities and do so with a servant’s heart.
In this day and age, there is a no “one size fits all model”. Our academic landscape is built of a diverse, multicultural and continually changing environment. Teachers, such as myself, do not do this because it is a job. We do this because this is a calling. Heart and compassion calls my name to help the needs of today’s youth. Our world is complex, and the people in it, including our students are being wrapped and folded into the make-up of the framework of what our society expels. Today’s climate seems to be unstable and can be quite difficult for many of our students to handle on their own. We have a duty to lead as their mentors to guide them through this turmoil, keeping them on a path to discovering their own individual purpose.
Unfortunately, our system has failed previous generations that live in today’s society. While there are bright “stars” shining that have been given opportunities, many have been forgotten in the shadows that are cast by the others’ brightness. We cannot forget about these students. A love for helping, caring, and serving these “forgotten” learners needs to be at the forefront of our education standard. We need to build a community of leaders that are willing to lay the foundation needed and follow through as framers on our new blueprint we create. A gap we see from educators are ones stuck in the past, unwilling to change or adapt to new growing needs in our community. We need to learn and understand the desires of our new student generation and create a plan that includes not just them, but everyone so we all have equal chances at success for their futures… and even our own as leaders… My mission is to help find these solutions to build a better future for my students and even my peers that need to grow and adapt. The only way we can do this is united as one. There is so much brilliance in this world, but we have to uncover this treasure within our classroom with our students because they have so much to offer our world and society. Imagine unlocking a student’s desire to achieve and then imagine gifting this to the world? How amazing would our future society be? How empowered would we have made education? Imagine the footprint we leave on the next generation’s heart in order to create change for others. If we light a path for others, we brighten it for all. If we create one leader of tomorrow by embracing their unique differences, imagine if these leaders worked together for the better of humanity as whole? I wish that all teachers had this mindset. In my perfect vision, this is what the future would look like. There would be no selfish intentions, no prejudice, no unfair judgement towards others, and no inequities. Just a force so strong that they push the boundaries we can only dream for our students and the impact they will have on this world.
For thousands of years, mankind has continued to learn, adapt, and grow in intelligence. We as teachers are just this generation’s version of God’s plan to help us understand living in a world created in his identity. We lose focus of this. God has a plan for all of us and will use us for His Glory. As humans, we seem to fight this and attempt to stray from His desires. I believe there is so much bureaucracy and political intentions that keep us from achieving His goal for us. We need to understand what our true purpose is and live our life accomplishing this in the pursuit of giving to others. By discovering what we have been created to do, not only do we fulfill God’s plan for us, we allow ourselves to bless the lives our students. We become this energy that charges our student’s soul, that gives them enough power and courage to take on the challenges of this world. At Cal Baptist, we have this motto “Lance Up”. In Psalms 35:3, Jeremiah 43:4 and 43:10, we are commanded:
“Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”
Harness the horses, And mount the steeds, Take your stand with helmets on! Polish the spears, Put on the coats of armor and take up your shield!
For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of armies, A day of vengeance, so as to avenge Himself on His foes; And the sword will devour and be satisfied in victory.”
This is the essence of what education needs to be. We all must have “Lance Up” mentalities when dealing with our student’s needs. As commanded, we need to prepare ourselves to take on the challenges this world has given to us and be ready to forge forward to victory and triumph in the name of our students. We fulfill our purpose from God by living this out and facing it head on. We must not retreat in fear, but have courage to go into our classrooms renewed with passion and confidence to impact the lives of our students no matter what challenges we may face as educators. The next generation’s future depends on us. Teachers, you have been given your orders: Grab your shields and swords, it’s time to “Lance Up”.
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Written By Chris Hulme (aka – Coach Hulme) #CoachHulme #ChrisHulme
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