by Dr. Ron Sprunger
Nadia Boulanger, French composer and teacher said, “The essential conditions of everything you do must be choice, love, passion.” I appreciate her words of wisdom, However, I believe some of the greatest efforts start with a call from God, and people who regard their work as a vocation, a calling. My father was called to teach at the early age of 19 and later continued to prepare for his career. For several years I was privileged to learn and glean from his teaching as one of his students. His work was filled with passion for learning, and his love extended to all students regardless of innate ability. If he were alive today, I think he would be delighted to see that several of his grandchildren and great grandchildren are teachers who likewise serve with a sense of passion and love for children. I think he would also be pleased to see that those who have been called to other lines of service and are doing it with a sense of divine purpose.
As I recently celebrated my 80th birthday, I’m doing what many older folks do, reflect on the legacy that I’m leaving behind. As I began my teaching career, Donald Baker, the superintendent of our schools admonished me with these words, “Remember that what the ball [or the musical instrument] does for student is even more important than what the student does with the ball or instrument.” As teachers we’re called to help build lives lived with purpose.
Years ago, John Kolb, Pittsburgh Steelers player and coach came to speak to the men and boys at our church. The boys were impressed by his muscles and we heard the word “awesome” coming from a number of the boys. In his talk he reminded us that only God is truly awesome. What he said next has lingered in my mind. He said that if he were asked to find a person who is even close to bring worthy of this description [and we waited expectantly for his words] he said it would be a first grade teacher, whom he described as one whose life exudes passion, interpersonal skills, and the gift of imparting knowledge and drawing from her children. Then he expressed his disappointment in the disparity between her salary and his.
This year I embarked on a new endeavor, teaching music to preschool children in the local Montessori school. It’s a privilege to engage children in learning during their most informative and impressionable years. A friend of mine suggested that teaching children with a doctor’s degree is like cracking eggs with dynamite. I’m not sure I’m worthy of being called “dynamite” but I do think learners of all ages could use a little dynamite.
Teaching is a wonderful profession, and I would encourage young people to consider the impact they could have by choosing this profession, or to be chosen for this work of ministry. If you were asked to choose someone worthy of this description, whom would you choose?
Would it perhaps be a first responder who puts himself or herself in harm’s way, a spouse or parent who lovingly cares for someone who is is ill or disabled. Or might it be a wealthy benefactor who shares his or her wealth to bless other? What will you and I leave to our children in the way of memories that inspire? Billy Graham once said, “I’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul.”