Judgements
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Judgements

I was lucky Conroy was in his office, or in total exasperation I would have spilled it all to the secretary – that’s how angry I was. “He’s not coming back in,” I told the principal. “I’ve had it with the kid. He’s a jerk, and he’s pushed me over the line. He’s out of…

In thanks to Sunday School teachers
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In thanks to Sunday School teachers

As face-to-face Sunday services are beginning to happen again throughout the country, so too will Sunday School/Children’s Worship recommence. This recalls a long-ago Sunday School teaching experience. “Come on Bob, how hard can it be to teach a group of three-year-olds?” Thus spoke my wife as I got off the phone and mentioned my reservations…

Hooligans for Jesus
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Hooligans for Jesus

I “taught” (using the word loosely) Joy Jam at Jubilee Fellowship church recently to a roomful of third and fourth graders bumpily becoming fuller images of God, a.k.a, naughty boys. “Roomful” in this case is four, plus one imported first grader, for the longest 43 minutes of my life.

Letter to a Young Professor

Letter to a Young Professor

DEAR PROF. VAN WIJS, I finally finished my PhD dissertation and have begun a new position as assistant professor at a Christian university. I’m feeling anxious about teaching.

By The Way
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By The Way

In the previous issue of Christian Courier, fellow columnist Lloyd Rang wrote a piece entitled “Why ‘Back to the Basics’ is a Really Bad Idea” (Dec. 10, 2018). If I understood him correctly, his main argument is that that it’s foolish to provide our children with an education based on nostalgia for a by-gone era, before the advent of computers, artificial intelligence (AI) and other so-called smart technologies. He stated that, “if you learn a skill today, that skill is out of date within three years” and “basic math, or science, or language skills aren’t what we need” in the world of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Back to classroom teaching
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Back to classroom teaching

In Scripture Jesus is sometimes called Teacher or Rabbi, a teacher of the law, but I doubt he ever taught statistics; it is possible he may have taught carpentry. However, from Jesus’ teaching of his disciples, we learn that true teaching is a sacred act of love for your students.

Teaching math faithfully

Teaching math faithfully

My passion for teaching was fostered by being raised in a Christian home and blessed with a Christian education.

‘Have a great summer, Teach’

‘Have a great summer, Teach’

At this time of year, you’ll see teachers out with their families enjoying the summer. You’ll leave for work, and they’ll be outside playing ball hockey with their kids. You’ll come home, and they’ll still be there, smiling and having fun. And if there is one piece of advice that I can give non-teachers, it’s this: DON’T SAY WHAT YOU’RE THINKING.