Does

The teachers at Espwa Etenel Ecol are really amazing people.  We spend the last two weeks together seeking to encourage and refine each other as teachers.  Even though my Creole wasn't up to the task of leading our sessions in their heart language, these teachers welcomed this outsider with grace and hospitality.

Why do we teach?  Group brainstorm activity...

One of the activities we did when thinking about what we believe about this calling of "teacher" was to list verbs.  What does a teacher do?  There was a board full of ideas about all that we teachers get up to on any given day.  When I looked through the list later, I found many verbs I would expect any teacher to have come up with: teachers write and speak.  Teachers ask questions and walk around the room.  Teachers correct student work and write plans.

 

But one verb, the one which was written more than any other, describes this little school so well.. Teachers pray.  How meaningful to this community, to these students and their families, to know that their teachers are praying for them!  How would my own school change, my own classroom be transformed, if my first action taken was not to organize or instruct or correct, but if my first move for my school was to pray?  

Teachers do...

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, 

but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Rejoice always, 

pray without ceasing, 

give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thessalonians 5