I am a teacher. I teach. There, I've said it. I've come out. Yet over the round of Christmas parties, I found myself with a curiously new, unBritish attitude towards my job. Let me explain.
To be a teacher in certain parts of the world is one of the highest aspirations of youth. Teaching is a career of eminence. Teachers are well-respected members of society, referred to with deference and admiration. I am not talking about some outpost of the former British empire: look no further than some of our continental neighbours to find attitudes very different from those in the UK.
To be properly British, I should be mindful of my lowly status. Much of the publicity teaching receives is bad: dumbed-down exams, bullies, and the occasional criminal investigation. Rarely are exam achievements celebrated or teachers praised. I've been tempted to temper my vocation with a suitable excuse. "At the momentI " (suggesting I have other strings to my bow). Or "I'm taking a break fromI and helping out atI (substitute name of local school)".
I can't give that impression, so I vary my introduction from the belligerent "I am a teacher" (so don't mention bullying or lowering of standards or you're in trouble), to the cringing, don't hit me "I am a teacher" (it's all in the non-verbal communication involving an embarrassed facial apology and squirming tone of voice). My response varies according to mood and audience.
So what was my attitude this time? I found it transformed by a simple grammar change. "I teach." As I said it in the company of some high-flying financial executives, I felt myself transform into a caped crusader for my profession. Those two words empowered me to proclaim my skills and attributes to whiz-kids on monumental salaries. So what if they are good at juggling numbers and negotiating deals? My powers enable me to expand children's minds. I suddenly realised the value of my skills and qualifications.
Plus, my simple "I teach" provoked unexpected responses. I was taken aback by the admiration, the deference, the comments of: "Rather you than me," or "That's wonderfulI I've been wondering about a change of career, but I'm not sure I'd manage. All that preparation and marking." I listened to eager questions as high-powered people confessed their inadequacy in understanding their children's struggles with reading, or stress over their failure to form friendships. I realised I'd been belittling my achievements.
Many of us in teaching garner our rewards so frequently that we do not recognise them and fail to appreciate them. What is your response to the child's: "Oh, now I get it?" Is it, as mine often is, a silent comment along the lines: "Of course you get it, I've spent 10 minutes explaining it again and you've got a long way to catch up with the rest of the class"? Or do you accompany a mental victory punch in the air with a quiet "Yes!" in celebration?
Does a Christmas card from a child you barely notice, in a class you have maybe covered once, convey the depth of appreciation felt? Do you understand your value to your pupils? Be assured: these are no small victories. Yet they are swallowed up in a life of hectic busy-ness which means that in the classroom more can be accomplished in a single day than many office workers might achieve in a week.
Our impact as teachers should not be underestimated. It can be negative as well as positive, but one thing is certain: it is not negligible. We should not go on the defensive, or apologise to the rest of society. We teach.
That is something to be proud of.
Angela Pollard
Angela Pollard teaches maths at Crescent school in Rugby, Warwickshire
Friday 5 March 2010
Sunday 28 February 2010
Performance
We are performers. We perform our jobs, our roles – wives, mothers, daughters, friends. We judge our performances: do we perform well, or badly? Or just so-so, when we’d like to perform better?
Who do we perform for? Others? Ourselves? God?
OUR AIM: to be like Jesus:
Mark 7:36-37 (The Message)
Jesus urged them to keep it quiet, but they talked it up all the more, beside themselves with excitement. "He's done it all and done it well. He gives hearing to the deaf, speech to the speechless."
What NOT to do: showing off as the Pharisees did:
Matthew 23:4-6 (The Message)
Jesus was upset that the Pharisees were making God’s law difficult for people, but he also warned against ‘showing off’: 4-7"Instead of giving you God's Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn't think of lifting a finger to help. Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called 'Doctor' and 'Reverend.'
He also talked about this in the context of giving, and prayer:
Matthew 6:4-6 (New International Version)
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
WHAT HINDERS US FROM PERFORMING WELL?
Stress, tiredness, difficult people, deadlines, volume of work, illness…
This is not new! Philippians 4:12-14 (New International Version)
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
BUT HOW?
Jesus said: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be (wo)men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-15 (New International Version)
Be on your guard. Be alert for hindrances to performing well: other people – opposition; distraction; wrong prioritizing
Stand firm in the faith. My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (Contemporary English Version) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.( 1 Corinthians 15:10)
Paul was saved to give us hope. If he, who opposed Jesus’ followers so vehemently, could be saved, then so can we.
Be (wo)men of courage.
Be strong.
…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe Philippians 2:13-15 (New International Version)
Philippians 2:13-15 (The Message)
Rejoicing Together
12-13What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Titus 2:6-8
6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
1-6Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.
7-8But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around. (New International Version)
2 Peter 1:3-4 (Contemporary English Version)
Living as the Lord's Followers
We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.
So, we don’t need to perform for anyone else, not even for ourselves. We need to ‘perform’ only for God. And that ‘performance’ just has to be our best. No more, no less.
FINALLY, BE ENCOURAGED
1 Thessalonians 1:2 – 5 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father
your work produced by faith,
your labour prompted by love, and
your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
For we know, sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.
A final blessing:
Hebrews 13:20-22
18-21Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we're doing or why, but it's hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.
May God, who puts all things together,
makes all things whole,
Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,
the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,
Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,
up and alive from the dead,
Now put you together, provide you
with everything you need to please him,
Make us into what gives him most pleasure,
by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
All glory to Jesus forever and always!
Oh, yes, yes, yes. (The Message)
Who do we perform for? Others? Ourselves? God?
OUR AIM: to be like Jesus:
Mark 7:36-37 (The Message)
Jesus urged them to keep it quiet, but they talked it up all the more, beside themselves with excitement. "He's done it all and done it well. He gives hearing to the deaf, speech to the speechless."
What NOT to do: showing off as the Pharisees did:
Matthew 23:4-6 (The Message)
Jesus was upset that the Pharisees were making God’s law difficult for people, but he also warned against ‘showing off’: 4-7"Instead of giving you God's Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn't think of lifting a finger to help. Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called 'Doctor' and 'Reverend.'
He also talked about this in the context of giving, and prayer:
Matthew 6:4-6 (New International Version)
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
WHAT HINDERS US FROM PERFORMING WELL?
Stress, tiredness, difficult people, deadlines, volume of work, illness…
This is not new! Philippians 4:12-14 (New International Version)
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
BUT HOW?
Jesus said: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be (wo)men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-15 (New International Version)
Be on your guard. Be alert for hindrances to performing well: other people – opposition; distraction; wrong prioritizing
Stand firm in the faith. My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (Contemporary English Version) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.( 1 Corinthians 15:10)
Paul was saved to give us hope. If he, who opposed Jesus’ followers so vehemently, could be saved, then so can we.
Be (wo)men of courage.
Be strong.
…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe Philippians 2:13-15 (New International Version)
Philippians 2:13-15 (The Message)
Rejoicing Together
12-13What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Titus 2:6-8
6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
1-6Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.
7-8But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around. (New International Version)
2 Peter 1:3-4 (Contemporary English Version)
Living as the Lord's Followers
We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.
So, we don’t need to perform for anyone else, not even for ourselves. We need to ‘perform’ only for God. And that ‘performance’ just has to be our best. No more, no less.
FINALLY, BE ENCOURAGED
1 Thessalonians 1:2 – 5 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father
your work produced by faith,
your labour prompted by love, and
your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
For we know, sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.
A final blessing:
Hebrews 13:20-22
18-21Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we're doing or why, but it's hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.
May God, who puts all things together,
makes all things whole,
Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,
the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,
Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,
up and alive from the dead,
Now put you together, provide you
with everything you need to please him,
Make us into what gives him most pleasure,
by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
All glory to Jesus forever and always!
Oh, yes, yes, yes. (The Message)
Sunday 17 January 2010
Women: appearance
Women in the Workplace: Appearance January 2010
Appearance matters. Self-image matters
Looks; dress; manners – saying or doing the right thing;
Questions we ask ourselves: Am I smart enough? Does my bum look big in this? Why can’t I get my hair looking right?
Who am I? Who or what defines me?
When I am having a bad hair day – who am I?
When I don’t fit into a favourite pair of jeans – who am I?
When my make-up is less than flawless – who am I?
When I say the wrong thing – who am I?
When I can’t think of anything to say – who am I?
What does our appearance tell us we are?
Unattractive; beautiful – which we are proud of.
Not worth much; or we think we are more important than we really are, then get upset when others don’t give us the recognition we think we deserve.
Fat; good figure – better than...
Stupid; clever
Recognise the subtle sins we collect? Pride; self-importance; envy... even when we think we are NOT something – not beautiful, attractive, etc – we are saying to ourselves that we wish we WERE
We could beat ourselves up about this, but instead, let’s look at a few Bible verses which will encourage.
Let’s remember that, whatever, we look like, sound like... Jesus loves us.
Karl Barth: Jesus loves me, this I know, because the Bible tells me so.
Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 (New International Version)
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Ecclesiastes 8
1 Who is like the wise man?
Who knows the explanation of things?
Wisdom brightens a man's face
and changes its hard appearance. NIV
1 How wonderful to be wise,
to analyze and interpret things.
Wisdom lights up a person’s face,
softening its harshness. New Living Translation
1 There's nothing better than being wise, Knowing how to interpret the meaning of life.
Wisdom puts light in the eyes,
And gives gentleness to words and manners. The Message
On the other hand…
2 Samuel 14:25 (New International Version)
25 In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.
And then there was Jesus...
Isaiah 52:14 (New International Version)
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him [a]—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
Isaiah 53:2 (New International Version)
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
And later...
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Captivating pages 12 - 17
“I just have some serious prayers invested, a few things I've done right, a bucket load of things I've done wrong, and the grace of a very forgiving God”.
Lysa Terkeust, on her blog.
http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/
Appearance matters. Self-image matters
Looks; dress; manners – saying or doing the right thing;
Questions we ask ourselves: Am I smart enough? Does my bum look big in this? Why can’t I get my hair looking right?
Who am I? Who or what defines me?
When I am having a bad hair day – who am I?
When I don’t fit into a favourite pair of jeans – who am I?
When my make-up is less than flawless – who am I?
When I say the wrong thing – who am I?
When I can’t think of anything to say – who am I?
What does our appearance tell us we are?
Unattractive; beautiful – which we are proud of.
Not worth much; or we think we are more important than we really are, then get upset when others don’t give us the recognition we think we deserve.
Fat; good figure – better than...
Stupid; clever
Recognise the subtle sins we collect? Pride; self-importance; envy... even when we think we are NOT something – not beautiful, attractive, etc – we are saying to ourselves that we wish we WERE
We could beat ourselves up about this, but instead, let’s look at a few Bible verses which will encourage.
Let’s remember that, whatever, we look like, sound like... Jesus loves us.
Karl Barth: Jesus loves me, this I know, because the Bible tells me so.
Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 (New International Version)
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Ecclesiastes 8
1 Who is like the wise man?
Who knows the explanation of things?
Wisdom brightens a man's face
and changes its hard appearance. NIV
1 How wonderful to be wise,
to analyze and interpret things.
Wisdom lights up a person’s face,
softening its harshness. New Living Translation
1 There's nothing better than being wise, Knowing how to interpret the meaning of life.
Wisdom puts light in the eyes,
And gives gentleness to words and manners. The Message
On the other hand…
2 Samuel 14:25 (New International Version)
25 In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.
And then there was Jesus...
Isaiah 52:14 (New International Version)
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him [a]—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
Isaiah 53:2 (New International Version)
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
And later...
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Captivating pages 12 - 17
“I just have some serious prayers invested, a few things I've done right, a bucket load of things I've done wrong, and the grace of a very forgiving God”.
Lysa Terkeust, on her blog.
http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/
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