Teaching is Love
My love affair while I was a teacher.
First, I want to dispel any fears or any false connotations. The love I write about relates to the professional dedication to the art of teaching, a dedication to ensuring a safe, respectful, and amicable environment for children to grow and be themselves. A love filled with goodness, hope and nurturing spirit. The time I am writing about is when I was a young man filled with a hopeful spirit and a passion to make a difference in the lives of children.
In August 2010 I had the great occasion to visit and interact with former students that attended the school where I taught from August 1978 through May 1980. As we shared our memories of those years, one of the students mentioned that they thought I was in love with another teacher. After I squelched that notion, it occurred to me that I really had no personal love interest at that time in my life. I was a bachelor with very little prospects for an engaging relationship. Therefore, it was easy for me to conclude, in retrospect, that the students and teaching were my loves and passion during my teaching experience.
Since we were engaged in a Christian religious environment, I searched the bible for a passage that could provide a description that aligns with the message I hope to convey. The general description that best fits my service as a teacher is one of “Humble Service” and “Love in Action”.
| Romans 12:3 – 18
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. |
In the book by Harry Olson “The 8 keys to Becoming Wildly Successful and Happy” there is a chapter devoted to “Redefining Competing and Winning”. The following is an excerpt from page 56 of that book.
| BOX 5.2 Play with this model for a while.
“BUSINESS IS LOVE”
How do you treat a lover? Think back to a very special occasion with someone you really loved. Maybe it was a first date, or your wedding day, or a special time with your parents, children or a dear friend.
- What made that time so special?
- How did you treat that person?
- How did you feel about t him or her at the moment?
- How did that person treat you?
- Why do you remember that event to this day?
I’d bet that you:
- Were extremely attentive to that person’s wishes and needs.
- Listened carefully to what he or she said.
- Went out of your way to do something special for him or her.
- Gave freely of yourself, your time, and your resources and didn’t count the costs.
- Were creative in thinking up ways to make that person happy.
- Were attentive to the little details that would enhance your partner’s pleasure.
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This particular section rekindled my memories of my work as a teacher because it discusses one’s attitude toward their work or, as stated in this excerpt, one’s attitude toward business. It is very easily applied to teaching. In August 1978 I was a 25 year old young man who was hopeful that somehow I could make a difference in this world. Currently, I have been afforded the opportunity to contemplate on my life and career because I am unemployed. As listed in the excerpt above, I often wonder: What made that time so special for me; How did I treat my students; How did I feel about them then and now; How did they treat me; Why have they remained a vivid memory for me even to this day?
The second part of the excerpt talks about the actions taken by someone who has experienced a very positive event. I like to think that I was attentive to the students’ needs and wishes. I know I tried to listen carefully to each of them; although I am sure, there were instances where this did not occur. I certainly think that I gave freely of myself and I still attempt to give freely of myself to this day. I never counted the costs, and I rarely consider personal costs to this day, except when it comes to my family. There were times when I did “go out of my way” and there were times where I did not when perhaps I should have. I think together the students and I were creative in how we approached our lessons and our relationship as teacher-students. Also, I think I tried to find ways that made each day better or more pleasurable to the extent that it was warranted.
Naturally, there were days that I did not, in my opinion, fulfill the notion of “Teaching is Love”. However, I think it important to note that my fondness of the experience and my fondness and “love” for each of the students as individuals has not waned or diminished in the years since our paths were intertwined,. Unlike a hurricane that gains great strength at first but begins to lose its force as it approaches land, my fondness for the students and our experience together has grown over the years.
With the advent of “Social Media”, we now have the opportunity to cross paths technologically. As I read the students’ comments and posts, it is apparent that each of us has grown in a myriad of directions along many divergent ideologies pertaining to politics, spirituality, professions, financial standing, personal insights and so forth. I am sure we have all grappled with the meaning of life and our individual understanding and meaning of reality as it relates to others and the universe. The best way I can succinctly sum up my goal in my personal quest is to quote a statement by Elwood P. Dowd in the movie/play “Harvey”. Elwood states to the doctor of the psychiatric institution, “I’ve wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it” (Mary Chase, Jimmy Stewart in “Harvey”, 1950 US author & educator (1887 – 1973)
In August 2010, some of my former students expressed gratitude for having me as a teacher, but it is I who needs to thank each and every student. I have benefitted many times over from my experiences as a teacher. It is the simple mathematical concept of “one to many” and “many to one”. I was merely one young man with a responsibility entrusted to me by the people, but the students were young and eager and willingly gave of themselves to learn and to make the school experience special. Together I think we were able to do that.
I submit this to you in light of the concept that “Teaching is Love”. It is my hope that somehow it provides others with encouragement and light to continue life’s venture knowing that each positive contribution can influence a grateful soul in a very positive way.
fillsmusings 