The Change

Day 5

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (ESV)

              My fifth graders were a highly intelligent bunch. And as much as they were smart, they were equally lazy. Everything came easy and most of them got away with minimal exertion.

              During the number sense unit, I wanted to make sure students knew their multiplication facts, so I gave them a multiplication sheet and instructed them to take it home, review, and be prepared for a timed quiz on Friday. I reminded them that multiplication facts were a third-grade skill and if they had not taken the time to memorize, now was their chance.

Friday arrived and I handed out a timed quiz on the basic facts, 0-12. After five minutes, the timer went off, and I collected pencils and paper. Most of the class finished in the allotted time, but Joanie didn’t. She was infuriated that she only had half the products filled in.

              Monday, I returned papers. Joanie slammed her quiz on the desk and put her head down. “I hate math,” she muttered, refusing to make eye contact.

              That afternoon, Joanie’s mom called. Her daughter came home saying she hated her favorite subject, and she didn’t know what was going on. I told her mom about the multiplication facts and the timed quiz. She quickly understood what happened; her daughter didn’t want to put in the extra work to memorize. We arranged for Joanie to meet after school with me everyday until she memorized her times tables beginning the next day.

              Joanie was in a mood Tuesday afternoon. She refused to put forth maximum effort, flicked the flash cards across the table with an aggravated scowl. When her mom arrived, she could see what I’d been dealing with. We chatted a moment then she whispered, “Her favorite candy is Hershey Kisses and M and Ms.” I grinned and knew exactly what to do.

              Wednesday afternoon, I had her favorite candies on the table between us. “Every fact you get right, you get a piece of candy. Every fact you get wrong, I get your candy and eat it in front of you.”

              I guess she didn’t believe me, because the first one she missed, I leisurely opened that Hershey kiss and ate it right in front of her. Her jaw dropped. “Mrs. Adams. I can’t believe you did me like that.”

              “Oh, you better believe it. I love chocolate. I hope you miss all of them.” 

              That’s all it took for Joanie to step up to the plate. Her competitive spirit woke up and by the end of the week, she got every fact correct and ate all the chocolate.

              That’s another reason why people become teachers: the challenge of the change. We want students to grow and become better versions of themselves. It’s not about grades or requirements, it’s about pushing them to change and improve. Never settling for halfway but always pushing to the next level, just like Joanie’s mom and I did for Joanie. We knew she could do better, but we had to find what made her tick.

Do the Heart Work

1.      In what ways do you challenge your students to change?

2.      Did you have a teacher who saw more in you? How did that teacher help you?

3.      Has anyone ever pushed you to change in your spiritual walk? Who and how?

Digging Deeper

Read Galatians 6:1-10 (ESV)

              Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

              We aren’t to leave our brothers and sisters in a situation where they remain in sin and don’t change. If we see way to help them move out of that situation, we are to go to them and help them. There are other passages that discuss examining ourselves or renewing ourselves. Kinda sounds like God is in favor of productive, corrective change, doesn’t it?

If You Get Spare Time 

              Has anyone ever confronted you about something in your life that needed to change? Take some time and either journal or think through how you received that correction. Were you receptive? Hostile?  In denial?

              We are not to stay the same. Are you open to others pointing out areas that need attention and growth in your life? Are you willing to make changes? Do you want to become the best version of yourself possible?