CHAPTER 1

The Lesson Of Love

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angelsand have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, ora tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy,and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; andthough I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,and have not love, I am nothing."

(The Bible—I Corinthians 13: 1-2)

Now abideth faith, hope and love, but thegreatest of these is love. Love is indeed thegreatest of gifts that we can give and receive.When we show love we touch the heart of man. One mightask, "but how do we show love?" Well, there are so manyways in which the teacher can and has shown love to hisor her students.

Love demands action. Hence, to therefore show lovemeans that we must get up and move our bodies. Wemust do something. Teachers demonstrate love for theirstudents when they truly take the time to listen to theirstudents. Yes listen, and listen to each one in turn. Ofcourse this is not an easy task, but if we really love thestudents entrusted into our care than we must listen.

We must be willing to listen with an attentive ear andfocus keenly on the verbal and non-verbal signals givenby the student, so that we will be able to give appropriatefeedback. Sometimes the feedback we have to give willnot be welcomed by the students. For teachers, there willbe times when we will have to demonstrate tough love, alove that disciplines. It will not be entirely pleasing to thestudent, but eventually they too, will see that it was fortheir best and definitely done in love.

In most cases our students come from varying backgrounds.Some may or may not be similar to ours, but it is important totry as much as possible to put ourselves in their place inan effort to fully comprehend what makes them who theyare. Christ demonstrated His love for us while we were insin by dying on the cross of Calvary (Romans 8:5). For, aspreviously noted, Christ Jesus was, and still is our greatestteacher; thus He calls us to teach others and demonstratelove with a heart like His ... the one who came to give usall a more abundant life.

Sometimes as teachers we may find it difficult to lovethe children that give us a challenge, be it physical ormental, but we must put on the garments of Christ anddemonstrate to that student as well a love that knows noend. As such, our love for our students should be unselfishand benevolent.

We continue to demonstrate our love for our studentsby totally giving of ourselves to them—our time andresources unconditionally. No, we want nothing inreturn, other than a productive, vibrant, knowledgeableand loving individual at the end of the day, one who willpositively enrich the world at large. Indeed, our loveshould be loyal and sacrificial.

Some may say this sounds unrealistic, but it is realistic andto love demands going beyond the standard or the averagemode of things. I do believe that when our studentssee that we truly love them, they are more inclined andmotivated to be all that they can be. For love indeed coversa multitude of sin.

Teachers, as you demonstrate your love for your students,spend time other than lesson sharing time with them,by wholeheartedly laughing and playing with them. Eatlunch with them sometimes, yet give them their space.Say encouraging words to them, speak life into theirbeings, not things that will tear them down and destroytheir self-esteem.

Remember, the greatest teacher, Christ Jesus, remindsus in His word that life and death are in the power of thetongue. So guard your heart to show love for your studentsnot only in your deeds, but also in your speech. For out ofthe abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Rememberalso that your love for them must be evident even whenthey are not in your presence.

The story is told of a nine year old girl by the name ofVictoria. Victoria was a bright but shy girl. She was alwayspleasant, but somewhat aloof. She never contributedmuch to class discussions and usually took her break andlunch separate from the children. Some might say she wasa loner. Her fourth grade teacher, Ms. Hart, found thisbehaviour peculiar for a young child and often ponderedwhat was wrong. As the school year progressed, Ms. Hartnoticed that this behaviour of withdrawal increased. Assuch, she inquired about Victoria's home life through theschool's Administrator.

After numerous discussions with the school's Administrator,it was discovered that this bright child was living alonein a house well surrounded by neighbours. Apparently,Victoria had been answering all correspondences sent toher parents from the school for nearly a month.

When questioned, a tearful Victoria confessed that herparents were always arguing, and that her father hadfinally left them about six months ago. She further told theteacher that her mother left one day, about a month ago,to look for a job and never returned. Since that time shewas just taking whatever she could get to eat from aroundthe neighbourhood to survive.

The story continues that the teacher embraced this childin loving arms and reassured her that all would be well.Victoria's case was reported to the Welfare Department,and after much debate Victoria was allowed to live withher teacher, Ms. Hart, until her parents could be located,or alternative arrangements could be made. Unfortunately,her parents were never located, and she remained with herteacher well through her primary, secondary and even hertertiary school tenure.

Today, Victoria, a second grade primary school teacherherself, often shares this story as she recalls the lovedemonstrated to her by her now deceased teacher, Ms.Hart.

Reflection

Do you love any of your students enough to take them to live inyour home as your own? Do you love them enough to check ontheir welfare especially if things seem amiss? Love is an action,and as such, I John 3:18 reminds us that we are not to love inword or tongue, but in our deeds and in truth. How much doyou love your students.... all of them?

CHAPTER 2

A Lesson In Joy

"Do not...