Grace for Educators: Encouragement for Teachersনমুনা

Grace to be Humble

I will never forget the day I was brought down a peg or two by a student.

I had returned research papers and to my disappointment, many of the students had committed the sin of plagiarism. Their eyes reflected surprise when they saw the failing grade written in red ink on this major assignment.

The young man, a high school senior, respectfully told me that his paper was documented correctly and that he did give credit to his sources as he should have within the paper.

My ego would not allow me to even take a second look at his paper. I yelled at him and no doubt caused him to feel embarrassed in front of his peers. The bell sounded to end class and he asked if he could remain there a few minutes to talk to me.

I agreed and as his classmates were dismissed, he walked over to my desk and handed me his paper along with his note cards.

The reasonable teacher would have taken the items, told the student the work would be re-evaluated, and written him a note to his next class.

As I looked at the paper, I realized that I was wrong and the student was right. How could I recover from the statement I had made earlier to him and his classmates? I had a choice to make and I needed to make the choice quickly. I could choose to be reasonable or not.

This teacher chose instead to be unreasonable.

I chose to humiliate and not honor.

I chose to remain wrong instead of empowering the student who took a stand for what he knew was right.

Just as I made the wrong decision, I bent to take a seat at my desk and dismiss the student.

Instead of being a source of support, my chair rolled. It rolled back as I sat down.

This unreasonably wrong teacher landed on the floor as her reasonable right student stood over her.

He also had a choice to make in that same instant. He could look at me like the triumphant one in this battle or he could walk away.

He made another choice. He chose to help me. He wanted to ensure I was okay.

This former student is now married with children of his own and I respect him today because of the role he played in my life.

His actions changed me. I no longer felt I had to be right as a teacher. In fact, I have learned that I garner more respect when I admit I am wrong and then move on from there.

My ego takes a back seat when it comes to educating a child. God used this young man to show me His grace, even when I didn’t deserve it.

Prayer:

Lord, give me the grace to admit my wrongs and the strength to move on with dignity. Help me to understand that it is not my responsibility to always be right, but it is my responsibility to behave in a manner that will please You. Help me to create a non-threatening atmosphere that will cause students to feel safe, protected, and secure in my presence. Amen.