What is the Impact of a Teacher?
Have you ever had a teacher who ignited your passion, shaped your character, and inspired you to be all God created you to be? When I was in college, I had the most amazing teacher! I was blessed to have her as my vocal instructor for all 4 years of college. While I still think of the vocal techniques she taught me, the most significant value I received from my time with her each week was the life lessons she shared and the grace she gave me.
She would never let me sing a note until she knew I was “okay.” Each week in that precious classroom at Abilene Christian University, she pointed me toward the Lord. She encouraged and challenged me in my faith. I am forever changed by my time with her, and even my children are impacted by the lessons she taught me!
Most of us have had at least one or two teachers who have significantly impacted us. I am blessed to have a front-row seat to some of the most incredible teachers here at Covenant. They are changing lives and impacting students for the Kingdom.
WHY ARE THEY HERE?
Most know our teachers could make more money elsewhere – whether in a public school or a business. However, they choose Covenant. When I asked our Early Childhood and Elementary Principal, Myrandi Ballesteros, her thoughts on why they are here, she said, “The main reason our teachers are here at CCA and not teaching elsewhere is the strong sense of calling they have for teaching children God’s Word and helping them to see life through the lens of a biblical worldview. Their passionate faith initially draws them to teach in this Christian environment. But once they are here, they want to stay. They stay because of the joyful, like-minded community that cares for and supports one another like a family.”
THE IMPACT TEACHERS HAVE ON STUDENTS & FAMILIES
The relationships our teachers form with their students can have a lifelong and eternal impact. They care deeply and pour into students beyond the class period each day. “If I think I am going to run into a teacher’s room to have a quick conversation with them, I am almost always disappointed. They constantly have students in their rooms, whether before school, after school, during lunch, or during their conference time. They help them prepare for the Precalculus test, guide them for their English essay, listen as they conjugate Spanish verbs, or maybe just engage in a meaningful conversation about life with a group of juniors. And our teachers would not have it any other way. They understand that they are making an eternal impact with the students God has entrusted to them.” says Amy Pryor, High School Principal.
Through my 22+ years as a Covenant family, I have seen student after student stay in contact with teachers who had a significant impact on their lives. My own children have teachers from Covenant who have shown up at sporting events to support them years after they were even in their class. Many of our teachers will still assist our students in college if they need a little help in a particular subject. I continue to be amazed at the hearts of our employees!
THE IMPACT FAMILIES CAN HAVE ON TEACHERS
As we head into the Thanksgiving season of gratitude and then the giving season of Christmas, please consider how you can impact our amazing faculty and staff. Year after year, I hear that handwritten notes are so meaningful to our faculty and staff. When asked for other ways to bless them, Travis Niemeyer, Middle School Principal, said, “The Faculty & Staff Appreciate the bonus teachers receive each year at Christmas and again in the Spring, which benefits each family differently. For my family, it allowed us to take our first vacation in over three years. For others, it covered Christmas presents for their kids and Spring Break activities for their families. For some, it helped cover the bills accrued due to personal issues such as spousal job loss or medical procedures. Regardless of how the money was spent, the biggest benefit for each teacher and staff member is the overwhelming feeling of appreciation felt through the generosity of our families.” If you want to know more about our Faculty and Staff appreciation program, watch this video here. To donate to the appreciation fund, click here.
