Prayerful Teaching is Joyful Teaching

 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
    it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

                                    Psalm 33: 1-2 (NIV)

Prayer and Meditation

I am nothing without you.  I can do nothing without you.  Your Spirit allows me to return to my students each day with a fresh and joyful outlook.  I ask that I may continue to bring your Spirit into my teaching and into my classroom.  Help me to make my work a prayer and to offer praise to you as I instruct your children.  

The Actions of Prayerful Teaching

• Accept the fact that there will be good days and bad days. Some days you will struggle to find any joy at all in your calling as teacher.  This is normal.  Think of it as a test of your calling as a teacher.  You will pass the test and emerge an even stronger teacher.

• A smile is an instrument of praise.  Direct your smile at the student who achieves a small victory.  Smile at the whole class when they meet academic or behavior expectations.  A smile expresses more than words could ever convey.  Be generous with your smile.

• To bring joy into the lives of your students is to give praise to the Lord.  It is music to the Lord.  You may be the source of the only joy a student may know on any particular day.

• Pick a day—any day—especially a day you are feeling gloomy.  Attach a seating chart or even a blank piece of paper to a clip board.  Every time something  occurs that brings you joy (e.g. a child being nice to another child, a correct answer, a shared insight, overhearing a polite “thank you,” or “please”) place a check mark by the name of the child who brought you joy or just tally the joys on a blank piece of paper.  With every check mark you write, whisper in your head, “Praise God.”  You may even let students in on what you are doing.

• Make a Classroom Joy poster with your students.  Early in the week discuss the meaning of joy.  Keep the definition broad as there is really no “correct” answer.  Allow students to share examples of times when they experienced joy.  Explain that at the end of the week the class will make a Classroom Joy poster which will list examples of joy students experienced in school during the week.   Students can write their “joy” on a Post-It Note to be placed on the poster or the teacher can write the “joys” that come out of classroom discussion on the poster.

Challenge of the Week

Singing joyfully to the Lord is contagious.  Sing out and share your joyful moments of teaching with your students, colleagues, parents, family, friends, and community. 

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God Bless and Prayerful Teaching,

Elizabeth A. Wink

prayerfulteaching@gmail.com