There are plenty of posts by teachers that talk about how they share/don't share their faith in the classroom. For this post I want to talk about how being in a classroom has taught me more about my faith.
I am quite honest about my problem with a real lack of empathy. I have always struggled with the idea that I could somehow be emotionally effected because of someone else's emotional condition. I do have sympathy, although I don't think it is particularly well developed. I can identify with someone's grief if I have lived through a similar situation. The reality is that unless I can personalize it, I can't really feel it.
I believe the purpose of Christianity is to love one another. Love is a difficult emotion to explain (not that love is only an emotion.) I am pretty sure that empathy is required for love though. I do love, and have loved but it always comes through an emotional bond. Therefor, if I can't empathize or sympathize with someone, I probably don't/can't(?) love them
In the classroom we try to get to know our students as quickly as possible. This usually means getting to know their name, important people in their circle, pets, interests and stuff like that. For many this creates a temporary emotional bond, from which they can get can develop a fondness for students if not love. This, you can imagine, doesn't work so well for me.
Over the last few years though, as I have had the same students over a prolonged period of time I have come to realize that I am developing some feelings of love for them. I have empathized with them over the loss of a parent. I have sympathized with them over the loss of a pet. The signs of love are pretty evident.
I believe that I have been called to be a teacher. I have a peace about being in the classroom I never felt in another position. I used to think that I was placed in the classroom to be a good model for students, specifically a positive male role model for those who don't have one at home. But now I know I was wrong.
I believe God put me in the classroom to teach me how to love others who I have not, nor ever will develop that close emotional bond to. I believe that I am not here to teach my students, but instead God placed me in the classroom so they could teach me. For that I am both grateful and humbled.
I am quite honest about my problem with a real lack of empathy. I have always struggled with the idea that I could somehow be emotionally effected because of someone else's emotional condition. I do have sympathy, although I don't think it is particularly well developed. I can identify with someone's grief if I have lived through a similar situation. The reality is that unless I can personalize it, I can't really feel it.
I believe the purpose of Christianity is to love one another. Love is a difficult emotion to explain (not that love is only an emotion.) I am pretty sure that empathy is required for love though. I do love, and have loved but it always comes through an emotional bond. Therefor, if I can't empathize or sympathize with someone, I probably don't/can't(?) love them
In the classroom we try to get to know our students as quickly as possible. This usually means getting to know their name, important people in their circle, pets, interests and stuff like that. For many this creates a temporary emotional bond, from which they can get can develop a fondness for students if not love. This, you can imagine, doesn't work so well for me.
Over the last few years though, as I have had the same students over a prolonged period of time I have come to realize that I am developing some feelings of love for them. I have empathized with them over the loss of a parent. I have sympathized with them over the loss of a pet. The signs of love are pretty evident.
I believe that I have been called to be a teacher. I have a peace about being in the classroom I never felt in another position. I used to think that I was placed in the classroom to be a good model for students, specifically a positive male role model for those who don't have one at home. But now I know I was wrong.
I believe God put me in the classroom to teach me how to love others who I have not, nor ever will develop that close emotional bond to. I believe that I am not here to teach my students, but instead God placed me in the classroom so they could teach me. For that I am both grateful and humbled.
I could not agree more. I have learned so much from my students. They have made me more patient, loving, and to see beyond what you are seeing through actions. A child may be fussy/angry and when I take the time the see what is really going on, the student is usually upset about something totally unrelated to the behavior outburst. This has taught me to do the same with colleagues and adults in my life. They may seem one way but there may be many hidden things they are dealing with and it manifests itself in other ways. I love this post. But have no doubt, William, God is using you in ways you may never know to teach/reach these children.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful comment. As I grow I know I can be a better role model, I just realize I have a lot of growing to do.
DeleteDon't we all! :) It's a journey.
DeleteI have learned so much being in those classrooms like you. Hopefully some of those students have too. Please say it is so......
ReplyDeleteOnly the ones less dense than me ;) Seriously though, how could they not. I only wish my earliest students could see how much I have changed because of my time with them.
DeleteI love you, William. I love you for your introspection. I love you for your honesty. You have more empathy than you think.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in God. Belief in God was eating me alive. I stopped and felt better. I believe in love, though, and I consider myself deeply spiritual, nonetheless. What I believe is that we are on certain paths for certain reasons. We cross paths because we end up with deeper connections and deeper understanding. And, for that, I am grateful.
Thank you for your kind words, Debbie. I know I am grateful for the times our paths have been shared. :)
DeleteYou are a wonderful role model for our students. I never leave your classroom without being thankful for you and everything you do to better our community.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicki. Now you know what I am thinking when I have a bit of free time. It is good to reflect (as you know I tell the students.) Some reflections are just a bit more important than others. :)
DeleteBrave. Honest post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights. I agree with much of what you said Except for the god putting me here and stuff.....;)
ReplyDelete