Three Simple Truths about Education

This week will mark the 31st year of teaching and here are three simple truths:

1. trust the dialectic. I am asking a new question for Homer this year: “Why must Thersites be beaten?” I must trust the question and the students and see what happens. This years opening question is starts with a small man, but it will lead, I trust, to the text. It also can easily be applied to the life of students and to my own life.

2. trust Jesus. I am going to class asking Jesus to speak to the student there. Each class is different. I must look into my students eyes and see what it is that the Holy Spirit is doing in them.

3. trust the Bible. You would think trusting Jesus would equal trusting his Word, but does not always in my life. The Great Text is useful. I should not force it, but make sure I am ready to use it.

And a bonus!

4. trust the students. They are here to learn. A few are not, but we are not here for them. Trust the chums and they (mostly) will not let us down.