I must begin this blog by stating who I am and where I come from. I am not a teacher. I’ve never had a desire to be one. I believe it’s a calling, and while I have not been called to it, a large portion of my family has. I have aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, grandparents and parents who were or are presently teachers, principals, school bus drivers or superintendents.
As I watch a majority of educators wrestle with everything going on in this country and specifically in this state of Oklahoma I have one question…
Teachers, why don’t you stop?
To that question, I hear the cry of a thousand people that have been loved, taught, and provided for by school personnel. The people say, “Please, don’t stop!”
Please don’t stop pushing. Keep pushing for better education for students of all ages, all races, all backgrounds, all religions, all families and all incomes. Keep pushing those same students to be better, to work harder, to love how God has made them, to respect their country, and to build hope where there is none. Keep pushing your school district to further their united efforts, to protect you as educators and to give you opportunities to grow and learn yourselves.
Please don’t stop loving. Keep loving your students through the good and hard times. They all need you. Keep loving your school whether it has 50 students or 5,000 students. Keep loving your classroom though it falls apart, though it doesn’t have the supplies you need, though it is overcrowded, and though you feel like it is a prison sometimes.
Please don’t stop knowing. Know that even though you come home late, your family still loves you. Know that even though you feel alone, God sees your diligence and kindness. Know that even though you get paid so little, we are willing to fight with you. Know that your calling is not a mistake.
Teachers, you have so much stacked against you. But please don’t stop. Please don’t leave. We need your courage, your consistency, your love, your knowledge, your steadfastness, and so much more.
As a believer I wrestle with how I may best love you. The more I examine Scripture, the more I see where I have failed in doing this and must now promise you that I will do otherwise.
I promise to pray for you (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
I promise to provide for you where others will not or cannot (Acts 4:32-35).
I promise to encourage you (1 Thess. 5:11).
I promise to stand and serve the Lord with you (Zeph. 3:9).
I promise to respect you (1 Thess. 5:12-12-13).
Teachers, these things I promise, and upon these things I stand. Forgive me for those times I failed to support you and communicate to me how I may encourage you. Why don’t you stop?
Because we need you.