I love my job teaching science. I love watching our students grow in Christ-likeness and joy in our school. But most of all I love how our students’ actions reflect the gospel to me and others in their actions week in and week out, especially during our House events, games and activities. I'm constantly blown away when I see them modeling the kind of love and humility found in this passage in Philippians.
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” -Philippians 2:1-4 NIV
Let’s face it, it’s kind of surprising to see this kind of Christian character in the average adult these days. But I get to see it shine out in our students over and over in ways which thoroughly take me by surprise and humble me. In class, yes, but surprisingly, more often in house games and activities. Each week, there are examples of students calling each other higher, encouraging one another, and providing support.
“I probably would have laughed in the face of any opponent if I was asked to share my supplies, but this student just nicely said “sure” and handed it over.”
Once, standing in the kitchen during a House competition, I watched the teams intensely creating autumn drinks that were to be judged on how beautiful and delicious the drinks turned out to be. Supplies were brought from home, time was tight, and the competition was in full gear. Yet, there in the middle of the battle, I watched one House member share her can of whipped cream with another team that hadn’t brought any. Crazy, right? I probably would have laughed in the face of any opponent if I was asked to share my supplies, but this student just nicely said “sure” and handed it over. Impressive. To that young woman, the relationship mattered more than the competition.
It is fun to see our student leaders taking the time to really get to know other people in their Houses. It is so meaningful when an older student takes the time to learn a younger student’s name, likes and dislikes, and to truly hear them. The House leaders ask the new 7th graders questions to find out what they like to do, what skills they have and how the team can foster those skills for the good of the whole team and the good of each person.
Sometimes the younger students want to participate in events where the leaders know they will not really help the House be victorious. STILL, the House leaders encourage them on and let them choose where to participate. Those young men and women regularly put their preferences aside and value the feelings of others over a simple win. Oh, at times, I know those same leaders were dying to push the younger ones aside and get the win… but I’ve seen them resist that temptation and cheer them on anyway. Putting others' interests before your own? Before winning? That’s true leadership.
House Fridays are a time commitment that could be used for learning more about science. But, each teacher here gladly donates class time for the deeper life lessons and Godly maturity being modeled each week during our games and competitions. Do we make mistakes? Yes. Do we let each other down? Yes. But, we also apologize and forgive. We work through winning and losing well and that wouldn’t necessarily be nurtured in class.
May this be another great year of competition (Go Tyndale!) May we encourage one another, be tender and compassionate, show joy without selfish ambition or vain conceit. May we win and lose with humility and value others about ourselves. Honestly, the world would be a much better place if we all lived this way.
-Tracy Baker
