News & Events
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation”. – Mark 16:15 ESV
For several years now, there has been a television commercial that only airs in August which I have found to be rather humorous. It is for an office supply store advertising their “Back to School Sale.” It features two children trailing behind a shopping cart, dragging their feet with the saddest expressions they could muster. Contrasting their sorrow is their father, who is gleefully dancing around the store, tossing school supplies into the cart as they play the song, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” In spite of its age, I must admit that I still laugh as much today as the first time I saw it. But to be completely truthful, I can see both sides of that equation.
As a teacher, I often found myself conflicted in August. Like the parent, I was excited about the promise that comes from a new school year: new classes, new students, improved methods, greater skills, and an enthusiasm that comes from doing what I was called to do. But on the flip side, the start of the school year also meant an end of vacations and the return of early mornings, meetings, and a ten month stretch featuring long days, longer to do lists, short attention spans, and shorter levels of rest and patience. This internal struggle would eventually subside, but it often led to a simple question: Why am I here?
I think at one point or another, every teacher questions their effectiveness. Test scores and student confusion can lead us to frustration and doubt. Many teachers take it personally when their work and sacrifices are lost upon students, parents, administrators and colleagues who would rather heap criticism than shoulder burdens or offer solutions. Long hours, low pay, personal attacks, and a general lack of respect for the profession are just a few of the things that make teachers of every subject and grade level question the logic of serving in a classroom.
So why are we here?
Over my career, I’ve been in dozens of different schools. One school in particular, Spiritus Sanctus Academy, a Catholic elementary school located in Plymouth, Michigan, provided the best answer to the question. As you walk in the main entrance you will see a sign placed prominently outside of the office which reads…
“Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this school. He is the unseen but ever present teacher in its classes. He is the model of its faculty, and the inspiration of its students.”
What a clear and beautiful description of why we are all here. God created us in His image, but our sinfulness created a divide between man and its Creator that can only be closed by the love of the risen Christ. So while we might teach four year olds to read, eight year olds to multiply, and sixteen year olds to do research, we must never forget that our true ministry comes from teaching everyone who enters our rooms, our schools and our presence that peace, joy, forgiveness and love can only come from Jesus.
After all, THAT is why we’re here….
Devotion by Richard Schumacher
LSEM Director of Programs and Services
-
Recent Posts
More Stories
A, Child of Jesus
All Kinds of Smart
When It ‘Clicks’
Moments of Growth
Gloomy to Glad
Creative Engagement
Vertical Learning Works!
A Lasting Impact
Acting to Improve Reading
The Importance of Practice
The Sticky Note
Incredible Growth, Incredible Child
Play A Game!
Serving More
The Journey
Peer Mentoring
See the Joy
Celebrate the Achievement
The Results Speak Volumes
Everyone Needs Kindness
40 Years of Service
God Made It Grow
Individualized Learning
Cling to Hope
Power of Intervention
A Different Approach
Little Wow Moments
Code Crackers
Seeing the Change
Disability Awareness Event
Facing Fears
Perseverance and Persistence
Support and Confidence
Organization and Progress
A Growing Service
Long Lasting Effects
Benefits of Collaboration
Productive Starts
It Works!
A Fun Challenge
More than One Way
Importance of the Basics
Loving Literature
Being Special
Celebrate the Victories
Learning, Reading, Helping
Benefits of Partnership
Hearing God’s Call
The Book Bunch
Never Give Up
More Than Just Book Learning
From Struggles to Smiles
Back on Track
Leaps and Bounds
Recognizing Success
Graduation Gratitude
Carryover Success
Learning and Teaching
Coolness!
A Path of Improvement
Learning Brings Confidence
Something That Works
From Fearful to Fearless
A Magical Moment
Growth Mindset: Self Advocacy
Growing and Blooming
Building That Relationship
Finding the Right One
Getting Back On Track
More Than Just Academics
No Problem
God’s Love in the Classroom
A Familiar Face
Rewinding the Negative
What A Difference
The Power of Relationship
The Encouragement to Shine
Long Lasting Effects
A New Start For A Child
Providing Effective Instruction
Summer Practice and Fall Success
Where God Leads
What A Teacher Longs For
Blossoming Success
Support Makes A Difference
Attitude and Determination
A Real World Connection to Learning
Watch in Amazement
More Than Just A School
Some Classroom Success Stories
A “Shark Tank” Story
Creature Comfort
Fostering Spiritual Growth
Catching Up
Another Way to Read
Connecting Learning to Hobbies
A Wow List
I Know the Answer!
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Long Term Growth
Resilience
Practice Makes Progress
Teaching at Many Grade Levels
Yes You Can!
Learning and Building Confidence
Finding the Fun in Reading
The Hybrid Classroom
Teaching Outside a Resource Room
Sight Word Wow
Acceptance Leading to Growth
The Goal Stays the Same
Seeing Smiles
A New Way to Teach
Attitudes Change
Consistent Alternatives
A Hand to Help
A Message from the President/CEO
How Your Gift Makes an Impact
LSEM Christmas Tea
There Are Spiders in Her Office!
Finding Her Place
Small Tech Makes a Big Improvement
New Families for a New School Year
We Praise the Lord
Transitions
It’s Been a Busy Summer
Golf for a Cause!
Faith During the Pandemic
A Fireside Chat with Stacy Hoeft
Work From Home Desk Challenge
We MOVED!
Introducing 20 in 20
Hear From Our Teachers
LSEM Summer Shorts
To God Be the Glory!
A Thank You to Our Teachers
A Valentine’s Special
New Students and New Challenges
A Brief Reflection On Service
Teaching in a Virtual Landscape
Teaching in a Time of Uncertainty
LSEM in Texas
Anxiety and Learning
You Don’t Have to Choose
A Learning Haven
Causing a Culture Shift
Connecting in a Time of Difficulty
Growth and Goodbyes at St John Rochester
Growing Confidence
A Friendsgiving Story
Not Being Defined by a Learning Need
A Shifting Approach to Special Education
Teachers Are Like Family
Enthusiastic Support in Hanoi
Step Up to Reading
Starting on an Active Note
Look at That Smile!
Seeing Yourself in a Story
What Makes a Wow Story
Celebrate Them Going
Lutheran Education Podcast
Exactly the Help We Needed
On the Ballot for the National LWML
A Special Announcement
Stories from Hearts for Jesus 2
Stories from Hearts for Jesus 1
Hearts for Jesus Continues!
Busy Bees at St Peter
Professional Development Helps Everyone
An Unexpected Opportunity to Help
Technology Opening Doors of Communication
Satchian’s Story
A Trip to Let It Shine
Saying YES to a Child in Need
Literacy and A Little Library
A Positive Program Result
A Kindergarten Wow Story
Technology is Opening Doors for LSEM Students
LSEM Helps Establish Standards
Honoring the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
An Innovative Principal’s Mindset
It Takes A Team
High School Transformation
Growing and Graduating
Minnesota Principal Sees LSEM Impact
The Best Gift of All
A Young Boy with a Giant Heart
LSEM Helps Texas School Shine its Light
Notes from the Tree House
LSEM Student Uses Dance to Express her Love of Jesus
Costa Mesa Principal Reports LSEM Success!
A Second Grade Success Story
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Student Fearless About His Future!
Crown of Life Lutheran School Puts its Mission into Action
Future Cities Super Star Wins at National Competition
Former LSEM Student Uses Her Experience to Help Others
LSEM Teacher Uses Skills to Connect with Teen Learners
A Mother’s Voice: How Mia Transformed Her Struggles to Success
A Perfect Storm
You can. We can. The children can!
From shy and quiet to outgoing and involved
Success stories all around us
Students compete in national competition
An “Updated” Story of Faith
From the Heart: A Friend of LSEM Shares How His Family Made a Difference
From Struggling to Smiling
Wow! This has made all the difference
One Child. Two Perspectives