The best piece of teaching advice I’ve received

Teaching in schools is different to youth ministry.

The later is powered by the Spirit of God and relationships. 

As you minister to others you grow closer to them, and as you add relational collateral, your ministry becomes more impactful. In many places, building relationships will be an element of your job description.

The former is primarily about content. 

You teach what you need to. While it is a benefit, being liked is not a part of your job description. Teaching the syllabus is in your job outline. Being liked is a bonus.

Frankly, most teachers are friendly enough and passionate enough to become liked the longer they teach a student.

But, it isn’t required.

This ties into the best piece of teaching advice I’ve ever been given.

Now, in context, this guy is an excellent teacher who is generally liked by all - staff and students.

His advice to me was this… 

“Remember, they are only 15. Don’t worry about what they think.”

His point was simple.

You should never, ever, let your worth or value be impacted by the opinions of your students.

Why?

Because they are only 15.

Whom you teach for just a few hours per week.

Whether they like you or not should have little bearing on the way you wake up. Or prepare lessons. Or deliver lessons. Or drive home. Or get to sleep.

They are only teens.

Instead, focus in doing your job well.

If you do that. And aren’t a dick. Most students will like you anyway.

And the ones who don’t… you only teach them a few hours a week.

And it may have absolutely nothing to do with you anyway…