LEAven Blog

Picture yourself at a social gathering. You’ve gravitated to a still-forming small group just getting to know each other. The question pops up: What kind of work do you do? And your answer? I’m just a teacher. (But you really didn’t intend for it to come out sounding that way.)

Or maybe you really do feel that you’re a “Just a.” Or were memories of being a “just a” that won’t let you escape the images of you picking up a dead bird at recess (with young spectators gathered cautiously nearby) or you armed with various plumbing implements and a bag of Voban®—oh yeah, and your class list dangling from one arm.

Another “or” in the water: Maybe you’ve forgotten (or never knew) the fact that teaching in a Lutheran school is a labor of ministry.

“Just a teacher?” Almost an apology—or an excuse. Maybe a reflection on your salary, of which you might be ashamed. Way too little enthusiasm or gratitude to God for the position you occupy. God blessed you to be an uncommon blessing to others. Like the times you have to don your Sherlock Holmes disguise to help a tearful child searching for a misplaced assignment or sweater. Or something simple like being nice to the custodian or remembering a colleague’s birthday.

Or perhaps you don’t feel or demonstrate your identity with ministry. Maybe you aren’t Called, as some of your colleagues are, because of a lack of theological training or the dearth of time you spend on intentionally planning to include a Christian worldview in your classes and relationships. If that’s you, be open to the Holy Spirit’s power and influence. You don’t become a teacher in a Lutheran school just through an alma mater or a transcript. A steady regimen of Bible study will help with this. Participate in your church’s adult class offerings.

Or what else describes you? Was there a time when you were just the right person to comfort a child devastated by dad’s angry departure after lots of loud words and threats. Or maybe it’s sharing some of your lunch with the tattered child whose mom “forgot” to give him a lunch today. Or… well, you fill in the “just a teacher” blank from your own experiences.

You come from a long line of “just a teacher” roles. And you’re in excellent company. Jesus was a teacher” too—minus the “just.” Few people connected Old Testament prophecies with the Savior. A compassionate healer? Yes. A threat to oppressive leaders? Yes. Someone who associated with sinners? Yes. A minister of the one true God’s word. Sometimes. The Word itself? Some did and others refused. Just a teacher? No. He was the epitome of a Christian educator. Someone to imitate.

As for you, yes, you’re just a teacher. And what a great privilege it is! Be sure to come back next year. Oh, and don’t forget the LEA Convocation next October, where you can gather for learning and fellowship with lots of other people—just teachers in one way or another.

As the school year ends, regardless of your training or title consider this:

 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23–24 ESV).

You are just an educator in a Lutheran school. Just an educator blessed to be a blessing. Nothing just about that!