Why the Ordinary Work of Teaching Matters

One of the things we value deeply at ACCA is the understanding that teaching is more than the transmission of academic knowledge. In the ordinary rhythms of the school day, our teachers are helping students grow in wisdom, self-control, responsibility, repentance, grace, and love for one another.

We were grateful to see this reflected so beautifully in a recent feature from Christ the King Church, where ACCA teacher Danielle Davis shared about the work of teaching, the ways she sees both brokenness and God’s grace in the classroom, and how others can pray for teachers as they begin a new school year.

The following interview originally appeared in the Christ the King Church newsletter as part of its “Your Work Matters” series and is republished here with attribution.

What are you doing this time tomorrow during the school year?

During the school year, I will be transitioning my students from lunch to recess. While transitions and routines may appear incidental to teaching, they are equally important as learning math, reading, or writing. This is where students learn to obey, to control themselves, to treat their peers with respect, and so much more. It may seem little, but “tomorrow” at this time, I will be engaging in these tasks as the class cleans up from lunch and prepares for recess.

Where do you experience the world’s brokenness and God’s hope in your work?

On a daily basis, I see both brokenness and God’s grace as I watch students learn to fight their natural desire to place their own wants above God’s Law and the “law” of the classroom. As a teacher, I try to combat this with God’s truth and Word. Sometimes the students win against temptation; sometimes they fail. When they fail, I must teach them to truly repent so that they can be forgiven and turn away from sin. It is wonderful to watch the students face their own brokenness and lay it before the Lord—and before friends—learning that no matter what, they are loved, forgiven, and redeemed in Christ.

I personally experience brokenness in the moments I lose sight of God’s faithfulness, giving in to doubt and discouragement. But the Lord is good, regularly reminding me that His Word does not return void. God’s hope is never more evident than in His sustaining presence in both me and my students when the work is hard and our wills are weak.

How can we pray God sustains you this week?

Please pray for me and all teachers for full rest during the summer break, that the Lord would restore our souls in preparation for the work ahead. During the school year, please continue to pray for your student's teachers, that they would have patience, wisdom, and grace in all moments.

Originally published by Christ the King Church in its “Your Work Matters” series.