Every Superman Has His Kryptonite

A couple nights ago I had my Collaborative Leadership class at Dordt College delivered through the world wide web.  Everything was going splendidly until Prof. Vos said, "This next assignment will require you to draw".

Drawing; Van Muyen's kryptonite (along with singing, poetry writing, blogging, zip lining, exercise, high jump, and most track and field events, and many, many more).

Of course Prof. Vos quickly adds, "Don't worry class, you won't be marked on your artistic skills."

Every teacher has that line ready to use after assigning an artistic assignment.  I used it last week when I had Bible 12 students draw Ecclesiastes chapter one.  When Prof. Vos assigned drawing the Unity Christian graduate profile I was filled with doubt in my ability to adequately accomplish the task.  This feeling of reluctance is exactly what Jeanette so brilliantly described in her latest post, "Persevering Through Reluctance."

Over the past year the staff and administration at Unity Christian have been putting together the graduate profile.  Last year we had brainstorm sessions and teachers we're able to collaborate together in small groups, and using google docs, provide their feedback on the different elements of the grad profile.  We (the administration) took the feedback from staff and put together a draft and received more info from staff.  We then produced a final copy of the profile.

The core values from our grad profile are: dedicate all to God, grace, acceptable and inclusiveness, community, discernment, and challenge.   When I read the graduate profile I was struck by the enormity of the task ahead of teachers, parents, pastors, support workers, etc as we aim to develop and nurture committed followers of Christ.   I was also overwhelmed by the impossibility  of creating a visual representation of the grad profile.

Needless to say I took a reluctant plunge into the world of the visual arts; I think Michelle Van Dyk will be proud, or terribly embarrassed, probably the latter.  I started by placing a male and female student in the centre of the picture running forward.  We want students to be running the race put before them as they leave the doors of Unity Christian School.  Moreover, we clearly want students to understand that they don't run the race alone!  They are a part of the family of God and it is important that we support each other as we journey through life.  The images surrounding the two students are meant to represent the core values of the grad profile.  Can you guess what core value each bubble represents?  I can't.  Seriously, it has been a couple of weeks and I can't make out my drawings. Over the next few weeks, as our graduate profile is released to the community, I will expand on each of the different elements of the profile.

Joking aside, I am pretty pleased with my picture.  To all my Bible 12 students struggling to complete my drawing assignment - you can do it - your teacher did!


Blessings  

   

Persevering Through Reluctance

Matt has been asking me to post on this blog since the beginning of the school year.  I have, up until now, resisted.  Probably for a variety of reasons.  I don't know what to write about.  I don't think I'll sound like I have anything to say.  And maybe, just because this kind of writing has always been a challenge for me - in my mind, anyway.

Matt and I were talking about his posts today.  I was encouraging him about them and saying how I thought they were great and should be included in a newsletter sometime.  He then, once more, told me I should post.  And so began the discussion between us about why I am hesitant to do so.  But...that did get me thinking...and now taking the plunge into the blogging world.

It made me think about how often I have encouraged a reluctant child to do something that he or she didn't feel comfortable, competent or even capable of doing.  And sometimes, that sure took a lot of encouraging...and coaxing...and supporting...and ,sometimes, even adapting expectations.  But, oh, the joy (from me and said student!) whey they accomplished the task. 

In my role as learning assistance coordinator, I've had a lot of discussions with teachers in the past weeks about how we can support those students who struggle with school.  Maybe they are reluctant learners; maybe school is just tough for them; maybe they are capable, but need support in order to manage the tasks before them.  There are a lot of reasons why students may struggle.  And some students will struggle in some areas, but not others.  But often, we are pushing these children in an area in which they are reluctant for some reason or another.  But we don't make them do it on their own.  We encourage, we coax, we support and, if necessary, we adapt.  And we want them all to feel a sense of pride and success in their accomplishments!

How many of us are reluctant to do things?  Maybe because the task seems too daunting.  Maybe because we don't feel like we have the energy to do so.  Maybe because we don't feel competent or confident.  Maybe because we're scared.  And yet...often, we are able to feel a sense of accomplishment, success, growth or pride in what we've persevered through.

While writing a blog post may not be the most impressive thing to persevere through, I will admit...I do feel a sense of accomplishment in it!  And now, maybe, I won't be as reluctant to post again.  Matt will be very happy about that.

The School and Life Long Faith Formation

   At the CTABC/SCSBC conference I attended the workshop on the role of the school in life long faith formation.  The workshop was led by former Redeemer College chaplain and the present CRC denominational discipleship leader, Dr. Syd Hielema, whom I have heard present on a number of different educational issues.  The workshop was well attended, and its number of participants was an indication of the interest and the diversity of opinions on the topic of faith formation.    

1.     What is the schools role in the faith formation of a child?

2.     What does “faith formation” activities look like in Christian schools?

3.     Are Christian schools supposed to be evangelistic?

4.     How does the school partner with the church and the home?

5.     How do schools faithfully transition graduates out of the Christian school?

     The mission of Unity Christian School is" to assist its students in developing their God-given potential to enable them to join in the work of building the Kingdom of God.”   We are committed to challenging children with the lordship of Christ over all of life.  Our tagline is meant to clearly communicate this value to our community: we are “learning and living in Christ.”  Our core values encapsulate our objectives for students: to dedicate their all to God, to be graceful members of a community, to use their gifts and abilities to serve in the Kingdom of God, to be accepting, inclusive, and discerning, and to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.      

    Richard Edlin, education professor at Dordt College, in his book, The Cause of Christian Education, writes “Christian School should not be confused with traditional evangelism, which encourages students in a personal faith encounter with Jesus Christ.  It is to be hoped, and openly acknowledged, that all children in a Christian school will come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, but the school is not an evangelistic hothouse in that sense (2014).”   

   The Christian school may not be a traditional “evangelistic” hothouse but it is a place where students daily encounter the lordship of Christ.  A place where they are being equipped to be Christ’s hands and feet as agents of peace.  A place where they are confronted with the social injustices around the world that break the heart of Jesus.  A place where they are challenged to be discerning -  able to navigate through the storms of life and evaluate the messages of culture.  A place where students are trained to be ambassadors of Christ in every vocation.

     The school has an important role in the life long faith formation of a child.  “By exploring God’s world God’s way, the expectation is that children will understand their creator, themselves, and the world in which they live." (Edlin 2014). The school meets children at various locations on the faith formation journey and along with the home, church and Jesus, walk close beside the child, instructing, encouraging, and mentoring.

Blessings

Edlin, Richard, The Cause of Christian Education (2014). Dordt College Press; 4th edition.

Glory Days - Grad Trip 2014

  I am old.

  I am exhausted.

  This is difficult to say but I think I may have participated in too many sports/activities in the past 48 hours.   The real problem is that I have to work 10 times harder when playing basketball and hockey to keep up with 17 and 18 year olds.  I wasn’t just reminded of my age because of my broken body, I also quoted from Bruce Springsteen’s song “Glory Day’s” during my presentation to the grad class about reminiscing about the past and planning for the future.  No one in the class had ever heard of “The Boss” (Bruce Springsteen’s nickname for those readers younger than 25).  

  

  Spending time with the Unity grad class of 2014 at Rockridge canyon was a rewarding experience.   The class has a tremendous energy; they are quick witted, heart felt and honest.   They are willing to engage in deep conversations about life and ethics and their collective heart is broken for the things that break the heart of Jesus.  The class has a diverse set of interests; there are aspiring worship leaders, construction workers, teachers, computer technicians, clinical psychologists, nurses, electricians, farmers, and missionaries.  Whatever vocation we find ourselves in, we are all called to be ambassadors of Christ and to be active builders of His kingdom on earth.  As our graduates plan and prepare for life after high school, and take steps of faith trusting in God’s leading and faithfulness, let us surround them with  prayer, encouragement and support. 

  Now to pop a few aspirins and bathe myself in A535 and hopefully my calves, quads, and lower back will stop hurting every time I move. 

Blessings