Prayer: Unchanging Father, give me Your wisdom and understanding in handling each child in my class. Remind me daily that they are Your children just as I am Your child. Amen 

Scripture: For I am the Lord, I change not  . . . Malachi 3:8a KJV

Our lives seem to be built on changes – some by choice, some good, some heart wrenching.

Perhaps you had to move to a new classroom or building this year. Maybe you’re teaching a different grade or subject. Are you in a new city or even a new state? If nothing else, you certainly have new pupils and probably a few different co-workers.

As you adapt to your situation, consider what changes have occurred in the lives of the students in your classroom. Some are new to your town or school. Others may have dealt with death or divorce recently.

One year a girl in my fourth grade class caught my attention almost immediately. She had her head buried in a book and talked to no one. This certainly was not typical of a child just returning to school – even a bookworm. I talked to her third grade teacher who was stunned. He described a well-adjusted, well-liked student.

I decided to talk with her. She barely responded to my questions. Finally I said, “I’m going to send a note to your mother.”

Her body tensed, and she spoke in a whisper. “I don’t have a mother. She left.”

My heart turned over, and I reached out to hold her.

Most changes aren’t so dramatic. Is one of your students constantly picking on others? Maybe one is not turning in assignments. These actions could be due to a major change or upsetting situation in the child’s life.

Ask the Lord to help you clearly know how to deal with each individual.

Copyright Joyce Anne Munn.      To connect with the author, email jmunn@ceai.org

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