Important Qualities of a Teacher

By Christine Danielewicz

August 5, 2011

To discover the most important qualities of teacher, a person must look to the greatest teacher who ever lived: Jesus Christ. Christ displayed the qualities of wisdom, humility, love, and sacrificial commitment. Without these key character traits, no educator can hope to succeed.

It takes great wisdom to handle the serious, complex issues that teachers face daily. According to Proverbs 9:10 in the Bible, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (ESV). Jesus, the Holy One, responded wisely to every problem he encountered.

Along with wisdom goes humility. It is hard to tell which comes first. It takes wisdom to learn humility, and it takes humility to develop wisdom. In Philippians 2:8 we see that Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (ESV). When conducted in humble obedience, our teaching can accomplish all that the Lord desires.

In dealing with children and their parents, outstanding educators show genuine love to those they serve. Jesus and his followers did not show partiality (Acts 10:34, James 2:1-12); neither can teachers. Great educators make every child feel as if he or she is a valued student—even those who do not like them or their subject matter. Just as Jesus lovingly prayed for his persecutors from the cross in Luke 23:24, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (ESV), outstanding educators show genuine concern for those who may be apathetic, insolent, or defiant, so students know that, even when they are experiencing firm discipline, their teachers want the best for them.

Excellent teachers have a “whatever it takes” attitude to ensure that children learn. Jesus withheld nothing, but sacrificed his very life on the cross so that perishing people could live. Likewise, exceptional teachers are willing to sacrifice so that children can learn. Having been entrusted with treasures of knowledge and understanding, outstanding teachers enter the classroom knowing that “…to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12:48, ESV).

Wisdom, humility, love, and sacrificial commitment lay the foundation on which solid instruction is built. Teachers who develop these qualities are prepared to meet tough educational and behavioral challenges. Their instruction produces outstanding results.

Lord, please grow these qualities in us!

100 Reasons to Give Thanks

Stop by Bible Baptist Church for an amazing series on thankfulness. Videos of the messages will be available at their website, as well.

And you're welcome to leave your reasons to give thanks in the comments here.

It will be wonderful if we can record 100 personal expressions of gratitude here during this month of thankfulness...

Nit Picking Can Be a Blessing, or, A Friend Loves at All Times

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

Dave and Carol came down to see us this weekend. From the first time I visited them in their country house we were friends. Dave was a close friend of Bill’s who was instrumental in leading him to the Lord.

Once we were married and I finally became pregnant, we planned to sell one of our cars so I could quit my job and stay at home full time. Unfortunately the car didn’t sell, so when our new son was a few months old I was able to find some temporary office work to help out. I had already taken a six-month maternity leave from my teaching job and with summer vacation upon us, the budget was getting really tight. My first assignment was a half hour away from home, but just a couple of miles away from Dave and Carol’s place, and they graciously agreed to care for our baby while I worked that summer. There were a lot of “big brothers and sisters” at the Loringer’s house and the kids are good friends to this day.

When our younger kids were babies and toddlers, it didn’t matter to them that there was such an age difference between our kids and theirs. This was the one place where we could visit and I could totally relax. Carol had a way of dealing with everything that could possibly arise with grace, humor, and ease. As my mother-in-law used to say, “Nothing ruffles that woman’s feathers.” How I longed to be like her!

Years later, when head lice was going around at school, I acquired it, too. As sweet and loving and sacrificing as they normally were, even through hard times, none of my family members would come into our house while I was dealing with it. Carol not only came over to see me, but she patiently sat on the sofa and picked the nits out of my hair while I sat “crisscross applesauce” on the floor in front of her.

Now that we live 300 miles away from each other, our visits are few and far between. It meant so much to us that they drove down for Bill’s 50^th birthday party this weekend—the only folks from our northwest PA homeland who were able to make the trip. Our time together was precious and our friendship of more than 22 years is something we are really grateful for.

Happy Father's Day!

While Proverbs 31 is remembered mostly for it's description of a godly woman, it is good to take notice of the first part of the passage, which describes a godly man.

Happy Father's Day to Bill, my Proverbs 31 man...

"O my son, O son of my womb,
O son of my vows,

do not spend your strength on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.

"It is not for kings, O Lemuel—
not for kings to drink wine,
not for rulers to crave beer,

lest they drink and forget what the law decrees,
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

Give beer to those who are perishing,
wine to those who are in anguish;

let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Many blessings to you, Bill, today and every day...