The Master Teacher

Written by: Mr. Ken Jimison, Upper School Dean of Faculty

Originally Published in Flourishing: Volume 2, Issue 1

After a long day of instruction and administrative work, I found myself walking down the hallway heading to one last “conversation.” A couple of Junior High boys needed correction. As I walked I began a conversation with our Master Teacher. “Discipline,” I cried, “teachable moment,” He replied. With each step I took down the hallway, I began to consider the Master Teacher’s response to me. I began to realize He was indeed correct; this was more of a teachable moment than a time for discipline.

I followed His advice and my meeting with the two young men went well. By not falling back on my own emotions or “sense” of duty and listening to the Holy Spirit, my Master Teacher, I imparted both knowledge and understanding. The two young men needed that more than they needed strong discipline. They did have consequences for their actions. But had I not listened to my Master Teacher, I would have only doled out punishment without wisdom and grace. I would have lost the moment.

This type of exchange is at the heart of all that we do at Trinity Christian. We value teachers who are excellently trained and capable in their area of discipline. Most schools do. At Trinity, our teachers delight to do more than teach. They are spiritual partners. They study under the Master Teacher Himself as they labor in their classrooms. Their students are much more than a blank slate awaiting the teacher’s impartation of knowledge into their lives. Teachers go beyond dispensing knowledge. Both student and teacher are spiritual beings. As such, our teachers listen to the Holy Spirit to be able to minister to the “whole child.”

The scripture states in 1 Corinthians 2:10,11:

“For to us God revealed them through

the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things,

even the depths of God. For who among

men knows the thoughts of a man except

the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even

so the thoughts of God no one knows

except the Spirit of God.”

The teacher in the classroom must be led by the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit knows both the thoughts of the student and the solution that God has for the student. The Holy Spirit knows how the student learns. He knows what teaching methodology will be the key to unlocking the student’s understanding. The Holy Spirit knows the emotional state of every child at our school no matter how good they may be at hiding it. In short our Master Teacher knows everything we do not.

Being led by the Holy Spirit is not a mystical experience that happens to only an enlightened few. A teacher who is led by the Holy Spirit is intensely practical in the knowledge they give. They cover their area of discipline with both artistry and skill. As the teacher labors in the classroom may they teach their content, love their student and always listen to their Master Teacher. May they never lose a moment.