My Philosophy of Christian Education

Teaching is in my blood. Some have called it our family business. My father has been
a high school science teacher longer than I have been alive, and I have two sisters
who are currently working and studying in the field of education. I have worked as a
pastor and primary school chaplain for the past 7 years, and I have always found
myself in the role of teacher. I would also say it is one of my strongest giftings,
according to the lists given to us by Paul. (Eph 4:11, 1 Cor 12:28)
One of the most influential verses on my life, my life verse if you will, is Psalm 78:72.
This states, And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skilful hands he
led them. (NIV) This sums up my heart for my life, both as a father, a pastor and
chaplain, and as a teacher. I believe you must have both character and competence
and they both must be worked on, refined and brought into alignment with the will of
the Father.
In my classroom, I would desire to be both a person of integrity and skill. As I shepherd
the students within my care, my heart would be to see them grow, learn and develop
into all that God would want them to be. Parker Palmer sums it up simply when he
says, good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher. (2007, p.
10)
Another influential verse for me is Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he
should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ESV) Again, this verse has
an impact on my role as father and as teacher, and I believe that my role as a father
to 4 children will only benefit the children in my classroom. I believe in the authority of
the Bible. Even though I may work in a public school, the truth of scriptures is still the
same. I just may not get to teach specifically from it.
I believe that the call of God on my life is to lead, teach and grow children. I believe
that this call permeates many roles and stages of my life, with many expressions of
this call to be fulfilled throughout my life. Firstly, this was as a childrens ministry
helper, then leader, and ultimately as a childrens pastor. This is also as a chaplain at
two primary schools, as a dad, as a Christian childrens entertainer, and into the future
as a primary classroom teacher and school leader. The call will remain the same, the
heart will remain the same, but the outworking and the location of this may be ever
fluctuating and changing as He desires.
One of the conversations that my wife and I have quite often as we talk about raising
our own children is the concept that we arent raising children, but we are raising
adults, boys who are one day going to be husbands and part of the workforce. I know
this to be true of formal education too. Our task is to educate students who will one
day be adults, who will need to function as adults and hopefully be successful in their
future endeavours. We are part of their journey to adulthood. We are to equip them
where they are at for where they are going.
I also believe that the education of children should not be exclusive to the classroom.
A large portion will be done during 9am-3pm Monday to Friday, but I believe it is our
job to partner with parents in the education of their child, not the other way around.
Some parents may expect us to do the whole job of educating their child, but I think
that is both unreasonable and unrealistic. There are things that cannot be taught in a

classroom, and there are things that a child needs to learn from their parents.
Teachers will come and go, but, in a perfect world, parents will always be there to
support, nurture and guide their children. Additionally, I would like to have a strong
and open flow of communication between school and home. Parents are always
encouraged to contact the school to make an appointment should they have any
concerns. This will present a unified front to the students, and will help create a
positive attitude towards learning.
From my experiences in the last seven years, I have learnt a number of things, all of
which will influence my role as teacher.
Firstly, all children are important, especially to God (Luke 18:16). God has a plan and a
purpose for everyones life, not just those who come from a good home, are smart or
are well liked. This is why I would want to pray for my students on a regular basis.
They dont need to know, but God does.
Secondly, invest in children. I have often thought about the teachers that invested the
most in me, and therefore about the impact I am making in the lives of the students I
come in contact with. Then, I think about the future and who they will become. I hope,
as I have reflected upon my life, they will be able to look back as ask, Who truly cared
about me? or Who truly loved me? and they will be able to answer, Pastor Dave or
Mr Gordon. Then, as they reflect further, and they ask what was different, they will be
able to see that it was the love of Jesus that we behind my love, care, interest and
acceptance.
Thirdly, children love it when you remember something and then ask them about it.
Building strong, healthy and trusting relationships with students is something that will
be vital in the classroom, with all students. It will be important not to show
favouritism, but to treat every student as a unique individual. I will strive to learn my
students likes and dislikes, what motivates them, and about their family and
recreational activities.
Finally, many students need positive male role models. As a male in a female
dominated profession, there are a number of stereotypes and misconceptions that are
common. I will strive to break these down, and being a parent myself will hopefully
aide in this. I will endeavour to continue to act as a positive figure for all students,
regardless of their gender.
As a creative person, I believe that learning should be fun. I understand that not all
children will have the same learning styles, and that all learning styles should be
catered for, but I never want my classroom to be boring. I want to create a stimulating,
healthy, fun, colourful and open type of environment. I want to ensure that children
can enjoy and be stimulated by their own creative efforts, and also other visual aids,
to guide them through challenging learning situations. Because I connect with
creative arts more than any other KLA, I would look for ways to integrate my creativity
into teaching across the curriculum. This is supported by Dinham when she says,
Using arts activities to teach concepts across the curriculum is to be encouraged.
(2011, p. 30) I believe that music and singing are very good tools to help us learn and
remember. Just think about the way that you learnt the alphabet when you were small!

I believe that given the right challenge, children will rise to the occasion and the
challenge. Children are born with a desire to learn, which God has built intrinsically
into all people, and this desire needs to be motivated, fed and nurtured to bring out
the best in all students.
I believe that no teacher should be isolated, but part of a larger school community, of
professionals working together for the common good. That means that each staff
member must act as part of a team, supporting each other towards the same end.
Community, or connectedness, is the principle behind good teaching, but different
teachers with different gifts create community in surprisingly diverse ways, using
widely divergent methods. (Palmer, 2007, p. 118)
To that effect, I would always aim to share any resources that I find or create with my
colleagues to help share the load. I am also a firm believer that any information that
can be used to help increase student engagement or improve a relationship with a
teacher should be passed on. This includes altercations in the playground, contacting
previous teachers and even future teachers. I believe that if teachers work together
and support each other in the workplace, then educational outcomes can be more
easily achieved.
Discipline is a normal part of life and I believe it makes us better (Hebrews 12:4-11).
Even though I am the person in authority in the classroom, I dont want to lord over
my students, but, just as I do with my own children, I want to guide and instruct them
in love, with patience, while still being firm and just. Discipline should never belittle
anyone, and should not break any relationships.
In a classroom, I believe we can all be teachers and we should all be students. I will
always be open to my students teaching me new things, and creating different
learning opportunities and types, including individual work, partner work and
collaborative learning situations. As a teacher I believe it will be essential to be
teachable, approachable, an active listener and a reflective practitioner.
In conclusion, one of the most powerful quotes I have heard is from Sir Ken Robinson. I
believe this sums up my heart perfectly. Our task is to educate their (our students)
whole being so they can face the future. We may not see the future, but they will and
our job is to help them make something of it. (Robinson, 2009)