Teaching is often defined as “the occupation, profession, or work of a teacher.” As a teacher, I have often felt that this is not a definition that even comes close to explaining what I do each day in my classroom. The creator of that definition should come and spend a day with any teacher, and he will soon learn that teaching needs a much grander description. I do not say that because I feel that teaching is necessarily grander than any other career (ok…maybe I do), but I do feel there is much hidden in “the work of a teacher.”

According to Infed (associated with YMCA George Williams College), “teaching is the process of attending to people’s needs, experiences and feelings, and making specific interventions to help them learn particular things.” Now, this is a definition that matches my day to day reality.

This definition allows us to identify teaching opportunities far beyond the classroom. The bank teller training a new staff member. The parent teaching her child how to make chocolate chip pancakes. The information technician sharing new software or devices with his peers. The basketball player sharing the fundamentals of shooting. Teaching is happening everywhere and at all times.

The major factor for success in any teaching situation is understanding what the learner needs, how he is feeling about it, and what experiences he brings to the table. This sounds identical to training I have received for various mission trips throughout my life.

Even with over twenty years of teaching experience, I find missions to be my most challenging (and conversely the most rewarding) teaching environment. Walking into different cultural environments requires me as a teacher to re-assess my approach. Am I looking to meet the needs before me? Am I taking into account the life context and feelings that each person brings to the story? Am I creating experiences that help true learning to occur? Am I removing my “American” mindset which can be my largest hindrance at times?

On a recent trip to Ghana, I was able to work in a unique situation with a group of Christian teachers already serving and ministering. I was able to encourage these teachers, teach alongside them, and minister to their students.

While on this trip, I was able to teach a unique combination of Bible concepts coupled with scientific connection lessons. My amazingly gifted friend, Janel, focused on the biblical lessons while I connected those faith lessons with science concepts. I learned many things about my teaching while on this trip. One realization came with the faces in these photos.

Really? I spent the next year continually asking people “Do I always teach with facial expressions like that?” The answer was always “Yes, you are very expressive when you teach. I always know you believe what you are saying.”

“I always know you believe what you are saying.” Regardless of our teaching role or environment, this should be true of what we present. The Information Technology specialist claiming the value of the newest tool for the workplace. I should know he believes what he says. The mom expressing the importance of adding baking powder to the chocolate chip pancakes. I should know that she believes what she says.

My students need to also know that I believe what I say. That I care how they feel. That I value the experiences they bring to our discussion. That I will purposeful make choices to set them up for success. This is most important when they watch my faith being lived out on a daily basis. They need to know that I believe what I say.

I would encourage you today to consider “Do I believe what I say?” Do you truly consider your students when creating lessons and making decisions about what comes next? This is often hard when faced with state assessments, administrative expectations and overwhelming classroom dynamics. We often lose sight of why we teach and what makes us truly a teacher. Take some time today to engage with the meaning of teaching. Do you believe what you say?

 ^“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”         – 1 John 3:18 (NIV)