“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” – 2 Timothy 2:1-2, 13
When I meet with my parents at the beginning of each school year, I discover that most of them have high expectations for their children. They ask why their children are pulled from the regular education class and put in a resource setting. As a middle school resource teacher, I inform my parents that my #1 goal is to prepare their children for the real world beyond high school. They must trust the process and have faith in me as an educator.
Students in the resource setting have varied learning disabilities. I show my students through my teachings the hands and feet of Jesus. I have high expectations of them, and I always encourage them to do their very best. I tell my students that my goal is to prepare them for their future after high school. I model Christ-like qualities to my students by being an example of his hands and feet. When my parents or students need help with a subject after school hours, I tutor them from home using my laptop computer and cell phone. I have helped many parents and their children learn to read using my family’s phonics program.
Throughout my teaching, I make a difference in the lives of my students by showing empathy and sharing my faith. I listen to them and share their feelings. I ask myself What Would Jesus Do (WWJD) in my situation? We are examples of Jesus when we show others who he is and why he died for our sins. That’s something we all can practice no matter where we work.
Father, during this Lenten season, help us to be true disciples in the workplace by showing our Christian faith. Help us to remember WWJD in any situation as we are the hands and feet of Jesus as we share our faith. Amen.
Micah Oxendine is a member of Ashpole Center UMC