“We ask our teachers to understand student cultures, create caring communities, and treat our students with respect in consideration of engaging them through cultural differences in a protected and inclusive environment while establishing learning goals through leadership exhibiting fairness and positivity creating change in the educational landscape as educators. Looking inward as a parent, we ask: What do I want my own kids’ teachers to do? How do I want them to treat my kids? How educated and informed do they really need to be? Are they helpful and kind? Are they realistic? Do they provide the supports needed for my kids to grow at their grade level? Are they modeling positive reinforcement rather than criticism? Are they goal oriented? And one of the most important overlooked assets, Are they willing? We ask so much of our teachers, because what I ask of them myself, is the expectation I place on myself as an educator.”
“I am willing.”
– Christopher Hulme
The battle rages. The educational fight lingers and we have just joined forces with those that have crusaded for centuries before us, similar to those that crusaded for Christ. As I last left this story, we were given our marching orders to “Lance Up” to victory and fight for those in our educational kingdom that needed help and support. Nearly four months later after this command, the sentiment has not changed, it has only grown more powerful in my desire to help those that are in desperate need of educational enlightenment. I compare this story similar to the Avengers: Infinity War. As I re-read my purpose and identified Initial Philosophy Statement, I felt inspired and rejuvenated. I wanted to run through a wall so to speak. There is nothing that should change from my purpose. It is very deep, thoughtful and purposeful in its demand to seek change and shift from the deficiencies we have allowed ourselves to be plagued with, with a battalion of new educators such as myself ready to step onto the battlefield to finish what was started. If my initial Philosophy statement is Infinity War, then my finalized Philosophy statement is akin to End Game. Deep in my heart, I believe education is under siege and the solutions are falling further and further away. The new leaders, such as myself, are stepping up into the landscape to figure out solutions and changes needed through practical application in the field to build a better tomorrow for our system and our students.
Without revisiting part one of this battle, we should only seek to understand our students through one lens: God’s Lens. No judgement, no contempt, full of understanding, inquisitive in manner pleasing to God to help others, and to figure out ways to serve the needs of our students within this investigation perspective. We need to find out who they are and what makes them special. What talents have they been given and as teachers, learn to create content that challenges them to learn but heightens their abilities to use their God given strengths and talents to facilitate their learning. By doing this as educational leaders, we model behaviors on how to develop connections and invest into the welfare of others, which is a skill beyond the curriculum that they can inherit from us to use over their lifetime. There is no better skill to teach than this to our students. It is not just a class skill, but a life skill that will help benefit them that eventually they could share with others if modeled well. Imagine by sharing this gift with them as teachers in caring about who they are, where they come from, and what they stand for, just imagine how much you strengthen them to affect change in others’ lives. All because you wanted to understand your students better. This is a rare way of doing things in a classroom, and I believe, only the absolute finest educators and academic leaders possess this leadership skill.
Our unique difference is what empowers us and should not serve as a reason to divide us. There is too much division in our society that bleeds over into our schools and attempts to crawl into our classrooms. Only those teachers that understand God’s Lens, will prohibit this type of discord from entering into their micro-society. Teachers, such as myself, have to shed the previous generations inequities, and forge forward in creating a classroom and learning environment that allows for equality and freedom to be one of primary principles. By doing this establishes a level playing field and a foundation which students can build and eventually expand out the doors of the classroom and into the hallways, and even further expansion into the lives of others. This thought process, level of respect, and equality must exist amongst us all. You must inspire others to spread this mentality and way of life beyond the borders of the classroom and into society. Teachers are planting a seed for the future, and understanding this, makes me accountable to how I help nurture the future generations grow. I want to be on the side that promoted a fostering and caring classroom, community, and society by my good works. Assisting and supporting this to others will hopefully make the principle contagious to my students to enact as well help commit my peer cohort of teachers to adopt this type of love for helping others. When students walk into my classroom, they know they will be loved and respected, and encouraged to do the same for others.
Part of leading the way as an educator is understanding that not only does the teacher bring knowledge to the educational landscape they create, but so does their students. A mindset that understands that each student has had various experiences and backgrounds that contribute to their knowledge and understanding is what can make a truly powerful learning environment if the teacher is brave enough to create it. In my opinion, many leaders have failed in the past with prideful ambitions to “teach” in the classroom, whereas I wish to share the learning experience where it not only helps my students learn, but helps me grow as a person with great influence to make change with others. I would be naïve to believe I am the only soul that can contribute because I already hold the college degree, but allowing my students to share who they are only bridges where they have been, with where we want to go in life. In my heart, it is my belief that students want to be appreciated, cared for, and validated by the people they look up to especially in an academic setting. It is human nature to seek that connection. If my understanding serves my intentions well, I believe that students will not only want to participate in this type of environment, but they will eagerly seek this type of confidence building culture to enable them to become more informed individuals. With love as my fuel, there is no end to the power it can generate within the actions of my students.
As the call for us teachers to pick up our swords and shields, we must teach our students the same thing in protecting the environment we create where all are included in a safe collaborative environment, challenging the limits of our intellectual capacities of the students. The figurative shields we will learn to create is a metaphor students use to realize they are in a protected environment that they can share their thoughts and opinions without judgement, and are allowed to respectfully challenge the thoughts and findings of others in academic discourse. In this manner, not only do we state it with our words, but we have a figurative object that represents our principle and purpose to provide an inclusive environment. The carry away from this is being socially responsible and respectful to one another. Even though one’s stances may not agree with another, allowing for the process to occur in learning builds patience and acceptance for all. Practicing this skill in the classroom, will allow them to use this skill in the real world immediately, as well strengthen it for further use in later life. I look at myself as the commander in chief for my classroom with the domain of using God’s Lens to guide me with showing grace and wisdom, while sharing these traits amongst my students in their learning. Hopefully by being emotionally and mentally prepared to handle a classroom in this manner, will also allow the students the freedom needed to experience learning without out fear of falling short and/or create an abundance of confidence to take risks in their learning to stimulate their own personal growth.
Establishing learning goals is unique to each student. Everyone has their own purpose. Each individual’s abilities can be enhanced with personal drive built with scaffolds of encouragement by the teacher and support staff in the classroom, at school, and in the home. These three facets are important to fully take advantage of when considering goals for the student. Unfortunately, as their teacher, I can only control one of those facets and by doing so, need to be overt in building an environment of success. It starts there. While each person can have a want, desire, or goal, there must be a pathway for the student to be able to travel. On this path, there are two parts: Student-Driven and Educator-Driven. I believe they both live harmoniously with one another and the true success can be found when connected or intertwined. From my own experience, I can strive to be the best teacher. I can’t just say that though. I need students or learners to make it happen. Having learners does not make me the best, but I have to pave a path for the students to travel for them to become successful. This is where the student’s individual goals come in. Each student can have their own. Considering I have provided a way for them to obtain their goals, then it is their job to initiate forward progress. Once that movement forward is made, then the momentum is transferred back to me making sure I encourage and scaffold it for them to continue to push forward without stopping. Stopping is failure or a cease in improvement. It reminds me of the old tale of “Footprints in the Sand”. A person is walking with God along the sand having a conversation about their life. The person questions God why in the hardest times of their life, why is there only one set of footprints? God tells the individual “That is when I carried you.” I look at the profession of teaching to be similar to this. There are times where you have provided a path for the student and they are moving forward but it is too much, and you figure a way out to support them until they understand and then they continue to move forward once their comprehension increases. If footprints were left by a student and teacher over the course of an academic journey for a student, looking through God’s lens, it would be safe to assume it would appear similar to the old fable of “Footprints in the Sand” because the teacher cared so much for the student. I believe that is where true leadership in education lies. It is not about titles or positions, but the impact both in building people up to their greatest potential, and also “lifting them up and carrying them when needed”. It is hard work to carry a heavy load in the classroom and life, and I think some teachers have forgotten about this in our educational world. It is my hope that through my practice I can help them remember why being an educator-leader is so significant to the student.
My lifetime has been blessed with a vast amount of experiences. These experiences have helped me grow into what I would believe is a fair and understanding person. With this said, I can relate to many experiences that students and their families have had in their lifetime as well. Within this relation, I think it is important for teachers to identify themselves with a servant’s heart. Even though I am an educator, I need to have the mindset of “Whatever I can do to help you, then I will try my best to do so.” I don’t feel my position aligns with many other educators out there because they don’t believe in the humanistic approach. “It’s their class, they are the teacher, the kids are the students, and the families need to stay out of the way so I can do my job.” You would not believe how many times I have actually heard these words spoken by current educators. That is not my approach nor will it ever be. Beyond being a teacher, I am parent, and also view my responsibilities through my “Dad Goggles”. I ask myself: What do I want my own kids’ teachers to do? How do I want them to treat my kids? How educated and informed do they really need to be? Are they helpful and kind? Are they realistic? Do they provide the supports needed for my kids to grow at their grade level? Are they modeling positive reinforcement rather than criticism? Are they goal oriented? And one of the most important overlooked assets, Are they willing? These are the crucial questions that every involved parent probably asks themselves about their child’s teacher – I know I do. With the understanding of what I want from their teachers, this is what I intend to give as a Teacher. I will give to the best of my abilities everything I am seeking from an educator. By providing this framework for my students and their families and through the grace of God, at the end of the day, I can go home and look my family in the eye and rest my head on my pillow at night. If I can’t do that, then I did not do enough for my students.
It is apparent already that I want to lead an army of educators to help others. My ability to be a change agent can be done in many ways. I can provide these stated goals in my classroom with my students, and I can lead the charge with my peers. I feel that the Lord has pushed me into this profession with all these previous successes and failures in life. His path that he created for me has lead me here, similar to a path that I want to help build for my students. I have been blessed with drive, compassion, and willingness to help others. While this may seem very bold, I am in my mid-forties as an experienced life’s journeyman and understand the huge responsibility I have been entrusted with. It is my hope because of my mistakes and successes, I can bless the lives of others and attempt to make a difference for at least one person. I know it sounds cliché and I want to reach as many as I can, but I believe it is my purpose for which I was sent to help other people find their purpose. From a spiritual perspective, I hope that in whatever context I am given, that I can share God’s love within it because he has done so much for me, that others need to know that his love is so abundant and never ending. If I can be the change maker needed, then maybe I can inspire someone else to share God’s love as well and encourage them to bless another life, just as much as I have been blessed.
In explaining why I needed to be a change agent, you can see why I have been called to teach. It’s not because it’s easy. It’s because I have been blessed with an insane amount of positivity that I will explode if I don’t give some away to others. I am not perfect. I have been molded and polished to become the person I have become not because of my will, but His. I always think of this verse from the Bible “I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may work through me” (2 Corinthians 12:9) I have made so many mistakes in my life and learned so much. I can see Him laughing at me and saying, “Who better to teach learning than someone who needed to learn?” God also needs warriors. He gives strengths to those that bring glory to Him and to do His work. I can’t explain His divine plan, but I know it is a part of His intent to use us in His design. Just as we have been commanded before, I will gladly accept my role to “Lance Up” until He tells me that “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:6-7) Until I hear those words, I will keep battling in preparation of His End Game.
To find out what happens next… Subscribe to my blog here for the next chapter. Follow me on all my platforms for more Inspiration – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, SoundCloud, and Youtube.
Written By Chris Hulme ( aka – Coach Hulme ) #CoachHulme #ChrisHulme
Share with someone who may need the Inspiration…
Coach Hulme 