The Adventure of Teaching

Teaching is always an adventure. There are certain constants that are the same wherever one teaches—learning standards, curriculum, and (most importantly) children. But the Navajo Lutheran Mission School really seeks to nurture a community of learners where all children are valued and where all members of that community, be they administrators, staff, or faculty, play a part in the children’s development. In establishing this sort of a school culture, Felicita and the other teachers have gotten the most fundamental aspect of schooling right. In order for students to learn, they must feel that school is a place where they are valued, safe, and loved. Once this atmosphere has been established, then we can move on to areas where we can determine where the students are academically and how we can best move them forward.

The schoolhouse that is home to NLMS's community of learners.

My initial reaction to the teachers and staff at the Navajo Lutheran Mission School has to do with issues of respect. I tremendously respect them as individuals who are hard working and who happily put in 12-hour days engaging in professional development activities while concurrently setting up their classrooms for the upcoming school year. I respect the loving, nurturing atmosphere that they have established for the children they serve and also for each other. I respect the single-minded devotion to making life better for the children they teach.

I also am very proud and appreciative of the Knox students who have come here with Diana and me to work—Ashley, Carly, Derek, Eileen, Michael, and Sarah. Each of them has prepared binders, lessons, handouts and other materials for the teachers here and presented four hours or more on the materials they worked on. This was all done very professionally and in an engaging and polished manner. What great students we have at Knox, and how proudly they understand the issue of the positive difference the Knox family can make when engaged with the community, whether in Galesburg or elsewhere.

S.T.S.