You are a natural teacher and I urge you to stick with it if it’s beginning to resonate with you. We need more teachers who care about the kids. Especially those who are Jr. High and at the bottom of the group due primarily to either previous gaps in schooling or lack of motivation. Much of the solution is getting them to believe in themselves and that is where you shine. Sadly the problem is that onerous year of teacher training. I primarily taught 11AP English which satisfied my love of lesson planning and 9 General English where I really taught rather than coached. You continue to serve in love!
I’m so glad you are looking into getting your teaching credential. You have a way of connecting with students that many teachers don’t, as evidenced by those three letters. I think this is your next calling.
Dr. Garrett, I loved this finely told story. I feel certain you're all the way human but also a Master (oof, theme is Superheroes,) a Superhero, I mean, because to teach without shame, to correct without punishment, to allow the value that was when you arrived, still feel valued when you leave, I'm not the least bit surprised that word spread. To still Smell Like Good News among so much teen spirit, is quite the witness!
And these vital words remain, also.
"That seems to lower the fear.
It does not lower the bar"
You prove this is more than possible but urgent. Thank you!
This is an amazing description of what it means to be an authentic “rabbi”. The Jesus who influenced everyday people who are not part of the “professional” churchy ministry (or religious system of the professional Pharisees ). You are in authentic ministry. Embrace it. Bible teaching and preaching is important, but “being” the gospel and the ministry of Jesus in a non-religious environment can be very impactful. Keep up the good work of Jesus my friend. You might even wonder why you didn’t do this sooner. (I’m speaking from my own experience) Living God and loving your neighbor, the essence of the gospel, is the core of ministry in all contexts. Keep up the good gospel work my brother. 👍💙✝️
The line that got me after writing this is: “They are understanding because they are not being left alone.”
I think that is true of geometry, and high school, and grief, and new life, and most of what is hardest for us.
So much of what saves us is someone close enough to say, “You know something. Start there.”
You are a natural teacher and I urge you to stick with it if it’s beginning to resonate with you. We need more teachers who care about the kids. Especially those who are Jr. High and at the bottom of the group due primarily to either previous gaps in schooling or lack of motivation. Much of the solution is getting them to believe in themselves and that is where you shine. Sadly the problem is that onerous year of teacher training. I primarily taught 11AP English which satisfied my love of lesson planning and 9 General English where I really taught rather than coached. You continue to serve in love!
I’ve been looking into it. I think I can be waved from a lot of the single subject CSET stuff, I’m a class away from a degree in Chemistry.
And yes, middle school STEM, who would have guessed that would make me happy.
I’m so glad you are looking into getting your teaching credential. You have a way of connecting with students that many teachers don’t, as evidenced by those three letters. I think this is your next calling.
Dr. Garrett, I loved this finely told story. I feel certain you're all the way human but also a Master (oof, theme is Superheroes,) a Superhero, I mean, because to teach without shame, to correct without punishment, to allow the value that was when you arrived, still feel valued when you leave, I'm not the least bit surprised that word spread. To still Smell Like Good News among so much teen spirit, is quite the witness!
And these vital words remain, also.
"That seems to lower the fear.
It does not lower the bar"
You prove this is more than possible but urgent. Thank you!
Ha! Loved “To still Smell Like Good News among so much teen spirit…” thank you for being you and being a light to me.
This is an amazing description of what it means to be an authentic “rabbi”. The Jesus who influenced everyday people who are not part of the “professional” churchy ministry (or religious system of the professional Pharisees ). You are in authentic ministry. Embrace it. Bible teaching and preaching is important, but “being” the gospel and the ministry of Jesus in a non-religious environment can be very impactful. Keep up the good work of Jesus my friend. You might even wonder why you didn’t do this sooner. (I’m speaking from my own experience) Living God and loving your neighbor, the essence of the gospel, is the core of ministry in all contexts. Keep up the good gospel work my brother. 👍💙✝️