God’s Love in the Classroom
God’s Love in the Classroom
- February 2, 2022
- Posted by: Caitlin McCallum
- Category: Wow Story

This is my first year as a Lutheran Ministries Special Education teacher. The difference between working for Lutheran Ministries and for the normal public education system is stunning. I knew that I really, really wanted this job when, at the beginning of my interview, the two women interviewing me started the interview with prayer. It wasn’t just any prayer, either. It was a prayer that the Lord’s will would be done in the filling of this position.
I’ve worked as a foster parent for 73 children over the span of seven years, and in that position I was able to share my faith and God’s love with children who were hurting from some of the most horrific traumas imaginable.
When I worked within the public school system, I wasn’t able to share Jesus’ love with the children in an overt way for fear of losing my job. The first day here at Bethany I cried after introducing myself to the first grade class and joy at the freedom actually being able to mention God and his love for them and how He created us all so differently and wonderfully. The students each had a lollipop with a ribbon loosely or tightly tied around the stem; some had a lollipop with no ribbon at all. I gave the students thirty seconds to unwrap their lollipop. After that amount of time I explained to them that God loves us all so much and, when He created us, He made us all with different gifts and passions. Sometimes we have things we have to work out in our brains, and that’s where Special Education teachers like me come into the process. Sometimes when you have a “knot in your brain” and have a hard time figuring something out, like on that lollipop, school can be hard for you. It’s hard to look around at other students who may not struggle with the same thing or have no knot at all on their lollipop.
I then showed the students who were struggling a different way they could open the lollipop, thus unlocking the knowledge. “Then,” I told them, “your teachers, parents and friends can help you become the Superheroes for God He meant you to be!”
Being able to bring God into a lesson itself completely changes the ways in which educating children with Special Education needs is approached. With the knowledge that *each* child is fearfully and wonderfully made at the outset, there is a certain joy that comes with helping them to discover their own unique gifts and passions underneath the Banner of Heaven so that these children can one day go out and help the next generation become everything God meant for them to be.
Thank you for making this ministry possible. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to teach these precious children!
~written by Rachel Hillestad, LSEM teacher at Bethany Lutheran School in Overland Park, KS
-
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