The Challenge of Avoiding Censorship

I’m writing about censorship mainly because it is an issue that all Christian teachers need to face–especially literature, art and music teachers, and especially those who teach in a faith-based school. Although I may differ in opinion from some Christian teachers and schools from time to time, I hope that this article will not offend [...]

Up To Your Ears in Paperwork?

You’re not alone. At least 50% (if not more) of teaching requires ugly, nasty, boring, time-consuming paperwork. Where does all this paperwork come from? From my experience, it comes from the following:

lesson planning and grading
communicating with parents via email/notes
writing and modifying assessments
documenting missing work from students
working with the resource department (and by this, I mean [...]

Why Teach in a Christian School?

For some of us, teaching in a Christian school inspired a variety of reactions from friends and family. Some accepted it and supported us in our decisions. Others thought we were crazy and trying to brainwash children. For those of us who traveled overseas, the responses were even more varied. Believe it or not, an [...]

Graduation for the Christian Teacher?

One by one, I watched my seniors stand up in front of their fellow students and family members during our Monday chapel session. It was a special chapel created just for them, featuring songs sung by seniors who have participated in worship band. I watched one of my students sing in front of us all, [...]

Members of the Same Body–Teamwork in a Christian School

Today I had the immense privilege of participating in a Volunteer Appreciation Night at my school. I know that in public schools, the PTA help out in many ways through fundraising activities and other volunteer work. Our parent association is brand new and definitely fledgling. However, I have been so impressed with how much our [...]

The Challenge for Christian Teachers in Public Schools

Suffice it to say that while I am extremely proud and happy to be a Christian school teacher, I have recently learned that being a Christian educator means much more than where you teach. In actuality, it means how you teach, and especially who you are. If you are a Christian educator means that you are committed [...]

The Politics of Christian Schools

Let’s be honest here: Every school organization possesses its own political infrastructure. Whether you teach at a public school or a private school, levels of authority and governing bodies determine how the school operates. So, for example, when a teacher complains in frustration that a school is political, my answer to the complaint would be, [...]

The Art of Christian Teaching

When I was growing up in a small, Christian school, I frequently encountered the odd person who challenged me with the old Athen-Jerusalem question. Is it possible to be both Christian and educated? Is it possible to be an intellectual and yet believe in religious faith? For those of us in Christian or Catholic education, [...]