What Makes A Great Teacher?

If I were to ask you what characteristics a teacher would need to have to be a great teacher, what comes to mind? Someone who is well spoken? A person who is knowledgeable on the subject they are teaching? A great motivator? I absolutely think of all those things and more. But when I think back on my experience as a student, the teachers I remember the most were the teachers who had characteristics beyond their exceptional teaching ability. I remember the teachers who showed great patience with me when I just didn't understand a lesson. I remember the teachers who always made me feel important. I remember the teachers who came to my basketball games to see me play and the teachers who took the time to eat lunch with me and my friends every once in a while. I saw Jesus in all of these adults who had such a huge impact on my life. 

I want to be that kind of teacher. I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus with my students. But how? I think the guide to being a great teacher lies in Scripture.  You see, the impact we make is very closely related to the fruit we bear. Galatians 5: 22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." God's Word also says in Matthew 7 that disciples of Jesus will be known by their fruit.

So, for the next 9 weeks we will be diving in to the the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I believe if we intentionally focus on living these characteristics out in our classrooms, with our co-workers, with our students' families, and even at home, we will become truly GREAT. 

Join me back here next week and we will talk about what makes the world go round! LOVE