LEAven Blog

Every beginning must have an ending especially in schools. Books, movies, experiments, essays, games, meals, school years….and the hope and prayer is that the beginning, middle, and end will be enjoyable and satisfying for all involved.

All of your students have grown this year. Some grew physically (and may be catching up to you in height!) Their academic growth has been evident as they have learned their math facts, improved their reading and comprehension skills, processed experiments in science class, developed their artistic eye, and become more skillful in physical activities. Most important though, their growth in their knowledge and love of their Lord and Savior has probably been the most gratifying. Your students will never forget the lessons you taught them academically and spiritually. Your job is complete for the year, but your ministry isn’t. Even though they are leaving your classroom, they aren’t leaving your heart. You will continue to pray for this bunch. After all, you always do.

It’s hard to say good-bye to a class. Even the tough groups grow on a teacher. You know their personalities, quirks, and attitudes. They know your teaching style, rules, and grace. It’s hard to train a new class. Do you really want to start with a new bunch next year?

Some of you are shouting YES! Others are tearing up and crying at the thought. Most of you are going through mixed emotions. Your students are having the same issues. One moment they can’t wait to advance to the next grade; the next moment they are afraid of what the future brings. This brings you to one of the last lessons you need to teach your students—what the future is all about and how to face it.

The end for an elementary student is not nearly as traumatic as it is for say a high school student, college student, or a person retiring—but still it is difficult for them.  Unlike older students, they grow to love their teachers and are willing to show it. But as you prepare to send them off for the summer and then on to a new teacher or maybe a new school talk about beginnings and endings with them.

This is the perfect time to talk about life and its cycle. You can use plants, butterflies, or frogs to describe and teach it. You can discuss nature and its course with your kids and they can tell you’re their stories of what they have seen and experiences.

This also gives you an opportunity to share what our future with God will be like. Your students will have many questions about the end of the world, heaven, and death. They will be concerned about their sins and their effect on salvation. Be prepared to answer those questions honestly. That is what they expect from you.

We don’t have the exact answers to what exactly heaven will look like or how or when the world will end, but we do know about salvation. You can confidently tell them that “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) You can assure your students that salvation is a free gift and there is nothing you can do to earn it.  Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Making sure they grasp this concept is one of the most important legacies you will leave with them.

Yes, it is the end of the year for both you and your students, celebrate it with your students! And while you are at it, celebrate the gift of eternal life as well.