Teacher! (Rabbouni)

This is teacher appreciation week,  when we as a community are invited to express our sometimes unspoken gratitude to those blessed souls called to the vocation of teaching. I am fortunate to get to witness the art of teaching at Trinity by the Sea Day School at least once a week, and I hear and see how my son's amazing teachers at the Middle School care for, correct, and educate those changing teens. Teachers are amazing people and closely follow the Way that Jesus taught his followers. 

Did you know that the first time Jesus was addressed after the resurrection, he was called "Teacher"? When Mary, his faithful follower, goes to the tomb, she does not recognize Jesus at first, but when he says her name, she recognizes her, and responds: "Teacher!" 

Jesus called Mary by name; she was known by him, her teacher. A teacher knows the students they teach, they learn what motivates them, and even what frustrates them. When Mary called Jesus Teacher, she acknowledged their relationship, and expressed her appreciation for what he had already done to help her grow into the person God created her to become. It is a joy to witness that sort of healthy relationship between a teacher and student. The teachers at our Day School get to use language from scripture by sharing Bible stories, songs, and our pre-K class even learns a Bible verse in sign language to share at chapel each week. I pray that those verses, songs, and the pride they feel when they lead chapel will give them courage and support them in their journey through life. We have the advantage as a church school to use and share that language, but their actions are teaching our children, too. Being a caring presence in their lives day after day may leave a more lasting impression. 

Even when our teachers in a public school setting aren't using the particular words from the Christian tradition, they are following Jesus' example by being in a caring relationship with with the "least among us." The young whose brains and bodies are still developing as they grow and learn need that loving care and guidance as they grow. That sort of loving, caring relationship continues at our public schools, even though they don't use traditional Christian language. It is by their attention, care, teaching, and example of life that our children can still come to know the sort of relationship that Jesus had with his first followers. That sort of love of Jesus can be shared with or without words. It is love in action. 

I am thankful that no particular religion is taught at our public schools. It creates an environment where anyone from any background can receive an education without discrimination from the adults in charge. Plenty of our students see teachers and administrators at their churches and that is the place to receive religious education. While I am appreciating teachers, let me thank all our Sunday School teachers! Ours use a Montessori style Bible curriculum called Godly Play to teach our younger children. I am grateful to them, and all the (usually volunteer) teachers who pass down the sacred traditions and wisdom of our faith communities.

So, happy teacher appreciation week to all the teachers out there! You are changing the world by caring for children. And this reminder to the rest of us: if you know a teacher, remember to say thank you this week, and when you have other opportunities to support our public school system, or a local private school, please remember to do so! The official teacher appreciation week is now, but we are allowed to support and show appreciation any time! 

John 20

Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher).