Three keys to make this school year better

In just a few short days, the sounds of summer will give way to children heading back to school, marching bands playing fight songs under Friday night lights, teachers instructing students on reading, math, and other subjects. This time of year brings with it a lot of anticipation and sadly, anxiety for some. As the school year begins to ramp up and the teachers, staff, and students return to the classroom what can we do to support our educational system?

Many people complain about the condition of the educational system in the United States, but not many people do anything to help make it better. We leave the entirety of the process to our educators and districts and wonder why things are the way they are. This should not be. There are 3 key things that you can do to make this school year better for your student and the whole educational system.

First, every person, whether you have a student or not, should be actively praying for our schools. The education of children is not just the responsibility of some but rather the responsibility of all. With this mindset, we need to understand that teaching and impacting children’s lives is also a divine call. When an educator prayed “Lord help me make a difference.” God answered them by giving them a classroom. Teaching students is so much more than just the transfer of knowledge. Our teachers, administrators, bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, and school nurses all need divine help and guidance. When you see a school bus, pray for that driver and the students on the bus. When you drive by a school pray for the students and staff. When you see a football stadium, say a pray for the participants in the event. Pray for their protection. Pray for the divine guidance of teachers, staff, and counselors. Use Psalms chapter 91 as a guide for prayer. This chapter talks about the protection and provision of God for those who call on him. Pray daily for the schools. There has never been a more difficult time to be an educator. Which brings me to the second thing we can do to help the educational system in the United States.

Get involved. When I was a middle school football coach, I always hated Monday Friday mornings. Our games were on Thursdays. Without fail I would have a call or an email from a former HS 2nd or 3rd stringer who though my play calling should have been better even though we won the game by 3 touchdowns. I never saw those guys at any practice or even any parent or community meeting. My point is that it is very easy to complain about the educational system. It is flawed. There is not an educator alive that would not tell you otherwise. So, how do you fix something that is broken. You get involved. Start by interacting with your student’s teachers. Talk with them to ask them how you can best support your student at home and how find out how best the teacher can support you and your student as they grow academically. Next, get involved in the school. Go to parent meetings, family fun nights and volunteer. Schools love volunteers. Positive influences in the lives of students are huge in the educational process. It also gives you the right perspective on what is going on in the school. Don’t just get your idea of what is happening in your local school district from the news and other media outlets. See for yourself. You can read to students, help with events, be a playground monitor, the opportunities are endless.

Lastly, be quick to praise. Teachers and schools receive tons of criticism. Just like students, educators need positive feedback. There are numerous studies that show negative feedback and criticism cause the brain to release cortisol, the stress chemical in the brain, and it takes over 13 positive interactions to negate the negative and cause oxytocin, the chemical associated with happiness, to begin to be released again. Let your interactions be life giving. Sometimes tough conversations must happen, but make it a habit in your dialog with others to speak positively. Support your school. The individuals in that building have the second most access and ability to influence your children. They have been placed there for the honorable and divine mission of educating the masses. Pray for them, get involved with them, and give them the positive affirmation they need to know what they are doing is making a difference.