A Teacher's Belief by Chrystal Gilkey

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23 KJV)

I think one of the key attributes of a good teacher is belief in your students—that every student can be successful in something, that every child holds a possibility for greatness. This belief stems from our belief in God—that God designed us all for a unique purpose. When we lose this belief as teachers, we lose our students. They know when we do not believe they are capable. I remember the first time in school I felt like a teacher really took an interest in me. I was in the third grade and had made a picture of a clown in art class for her. She gushed all over the picture and displayed it on the wall. Not only that, but I went back to visit her classroom when I was in a later grade, and she still had the picture on her wall. She made me feel so special and important. I’ve never forgotten her.

Think of the hope and love Jesus, the Master Teacher, instills in us, as believers, as disciples of His Word. He gives us individualized instruction and special attention every day. He says that when we truly believe what we pray, He will give us what we desire (Mark 11:24). I think we sometimes forget how precious and special we are to Him. It is imperative we reflect that hope, love, and attention to our students and those around us.

Jane Haining, born June 6, 1897, was a Scottish missionary at a girls’ home in Budapest. Regarded as one of the school’s best matrons by her students and her colleagues, Jane ministered to Jewish and Christian girls alike. Students said she was kind, welcoming, and warm. When Scotland called its missionaries home in 1940 for safety reasons, Jane declined to leave. She is known for saying, “If these children need me in days of sunshine, how much more do they need me in days of darkness?”

Jane saw to the needs of 315 children by getting up at five in the morning and searching for food. She cut up her luggage to mend their shoes. Tears fell from her eyes as she was forced to sew yellow stars on her students’ clothing. She was imprisoned and deported with some of her own students to Auschwitz. She survived two months at Auschwitz and is known as the only Scot who died in the Nazi death camps.

Jane believed in her students. Their lives mattered. Their future mattered. It made no difference the students’ background or how smart they were. She was there for them when they needed her the most. Let’s not forget amidst the testing, the lesson plans, and the paperwork the calling of this ministry. God has someone for us to reach. He has someone for us to believe in.

Chrystal Gilkey

A Texas girl born and raised, Chrystal Gilkey resides in Arkansas, with her husband, three children, and two cats. A published author, Chrystal writes to encourage and strengthen people’s faith in God. Connect with her at chrystaljgilkey.com or find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @chrystaljgilkey