LEAven Blog

No matter what your age, there is something exiting and exhilarating about the blast of a rocket or space shuttle into the air, or the take-off of an airplane as it leaves the runway. The bursts of fuel that energize such blasts are significant! Without proper planning and fuel nothing would reach the heights of the sky.

For many of you, a new school year has already started, and for many others, the start is just around the corner. Perhaps you are still planning, or preparing the fuel needed to start the first day. Or, perhaps you have already blasted off and are either seeing the extensive fuel of energy the students have, or you have somewhat already lost some of your fuel and need some re-energizing.

A skilled teacher knows when to prepare fuel, use fuel, save fuel, or redirect fuel. The students you have in your class this year are different than those you had last year, and new plans, strategies, and differentiation will be needed. However, you are well-prepared! God already knows the students He has placed in your class, and He will provide just the right type and amount of fuel you need to teach and make disciples!

You really are a flight or space engineer. Did you know that? Think of the people who work at NASA. Think of the people who work in the air traffic control tower at the airport. These people are busy! These people use energy and fuel to do great things. It’s true for you, too! You have a special craft to teach and supervise students!

Think for a moment about providing fuel for your students. You fuel them with learning of academic subjects and also socially and spiritually. As a Lutheran school educator, sharing the fuel of faith is most important. Thankfully, a fuel of faith will never be exhausted.

Now, think for a moment about using student energy to enhance student learning. Student learning is at the core of what you do. Providing a safe and collaborative learning environment where students grow deeper in their learning and knowledge is a way you use the “energy in the classroom” and put it to good use. As classroom energy for learning glides, it can lift students to higher levels of learning and knowledge.

And, finally, think about what you do to obtain fuel. You need to be fueled. You need fuel of faith each day, just as much as you need fuel of rest, food, and drink. Don’t forget about maintaining a healthy balance of all the fuel you need. And think of your students, too. In your Lutheran school, how do you ensure students are fueled spiritually throughout the day? Can you give them a little “extra” faith fuel to they can share with others?

As you continue through the new school year, be sure to use and direct fuel and energy in the right places—for yourself and your students. As you make disciples, think of the fuel that you provide which will last a life time. As gas prices continue to be high and the gas tank on your car may always seem to be on the empty side, know that Christ will always have just the right kind of fuel you need, and it will be available at every corner you turn. Because of what Christ has already done, the fuel of faith is already with you!

So….as you BLAST OFF into the school year, know that you are reaching higher so you can touch lives further! God is with you! Go and make disciples!