RING!
Can I see my grade in your class? And can I get makeup work to bring it up?
Do I really have to tuck in my shirt?
What’s the purpose of this SAT question? What if I don’t want to go to college?
Do I really have to go to history class? Can’t I just stay in here with you and take a nap?
Did you remember to grade my journal?
Ms. Scott, do you have a pencil I can borrow?
I promise I did my homework, but I left it on the kitchen table!
Why does it smell so bad in here?! Can I spray your air freshener all over everybody?
This dress code is STUPID!
Ms. Scott, I can’t sit next to him today! He’s getting on my nerves!
I don’t have any paper, so I can’t do my work!
How many questions was I supposed to answer?
Ms. Scott, this class is boring!
RING!
As a high school teacher at an urban school in Washington, DC, my work is often…harrowing.
The volume of students coming in and out of my room, the onslaught of questions that need to be answered, the behaviors that have to be addressed, the crises that need to be handled – it all becomes overwhelming quickly. For the majority of the school day, my mind is making ten decisions a minute, decisions that impact my students and shape a culture in my classroom that can harm or nurture.
It becomes easy to feel inadequate, to grow impatient, to let frustration and exhaustion have their way. And in the midst of the chaos, how easy to miss the present needs of the students I have before me – needs to be listened to, valued, affirmed, and known.
In C.S. Lewis’s sermon The Weight of Glory, he describes the beautiful and awful notion of human dignity. Lewis conceives of this dignity or “glory” as the human capacity to bring pleasure to God Himself – to be known by God and, by some mystery, to bring satisfaction and delight to Him. The value of this quality is what he calls “the weight of glory.”
At the conclusion to his sermon, Lewis makes a connection between God’s regard for people and the way we then ought to regard one another. He writes:
-C.S. Lewis, from “The Weight of Glory”
This excerpt from Lewis’s sermon is posted next to my desk in my classroom. It serves as a guidepost, a reminder to be ever watchful and aware of the weight of glory of the human lives that tread into my classroom each day. To keep my eyes open to the glory that surrounds me, and to know that in some way I am either recognizing or discounting that glory in each interaction I have with those lives.
It is a heavy burden indeed.
And yet, I hear these words echoing as well –
“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Teach us, Rabbi.
Allison, great work. If more teachers in urban environments took this to heart and brought these words to life in the class room God’s light would shine. I coordinate a nonprofit that works with children in an urban environment where the students perform below grade level. Your article articulates well the heart one needs to have if one wants to be successful in reaching these children. Thank you for the insight.
Hi Allison –
I really appreciated this excerpt and your accompanying words. I haven’t read much C.S. Lewis, but I feel strongly that we are at a pivotal moment in our global society, where we are in danger of forgetting our common humanity. These words, imploring (demanding?) that we recognize others as brethren, and consider the impact our lives will have on those that we encounter, are timely and valued.
For me personally, this was a much-needed reminder. Thank you for your words.
-AZ
What a refreshing and soul-stirring entry to read, Alli!
I can just feel your passion and pain in this piece. You are a gem to behold and your heart is being led by Jesus to love the way he loves–deeply, til it hurts, but for the the ultimate glory of his beloved. I am so happy to have read this, friend. I want to have that heart and I know God’s calling all of us to that sort of painful and joyful journey. I miss you and I can’t wait to see you again so we can grieve and rejoice over these things in person.
Love,
Lakia
What an inspirational post! I teach at a Title I school and you nailed it. I am inspired to read ‘Weight of Glory’ and allow it to change my daily struggle of pushing the objectives of the district and the state on these kids versus the desire to help them mold their character.
I plan on sharing this with my fellow teachers.
Sincerely,
Sally Hunt (Stephens – – former babysitter)