First, start with a seed of hope in you.
Let that seed in you grow to bring fruit for other people to taste and enjoy.
The planting may have started from others but the watering should continue in you. Invest in yourself. Read. Never stop learning. All these things will come handy once you start teaching people. You can’t teach effectively what you don’t know. I added effectively because some people can teach with the least possible information they have and it can seem grand to the people listening to him, but in the end, it won’t be that effective. It may be informative but not fully effective. Mainly, because it lacks the necessary information needed by the listeners.
Next, plant seeds in your students. No matter how young, how old, how experienced they are, there’s always room for another seed to grow. Who are your students? Your kids, your kids’ friends, your neighbors, your actual students in the classroom, your colleague, the people around you...in short, every life can be a good soil for a new seed.
What is it that you want to plant in the people you are teaching? A seed of love? A seed of responsibility? A seed of knowledge? Whatever that seed is, remember that it is the season to plant, not to harvest. Don’t expect them to learn instantly. Some seeds take time to grow depending on how good the environment is.
It is time to plant. Enjoy it.
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Also read: The Heart of a Teacher
As a teacher, I often tell myself these powerful words by John Cotton Dana: Who dares to teach must never cease to learn. 🙂 I am reminded of this again reading your post. 🙂
True. We should never stop learning, not for ourselves, but for those who will be fed by our growth. =) Thanks!
I always believe in “never stop learning” and “invest in yourself”. So even I’m a full-time mom now, I still try to learn new skill and study new things. It is hard to teach someone, if you don’t know anything.
Yes. I agree. I’m also a full-time mom, and someone told me that a mom’s love for her kids will drive her to improve and make an effort to study for the sake of her kids. God grants the wisdom so we can teach them effectively. =) Let’s keep on learning together. =)
Wonderful and inspiring post. When I encounter new people, I plant the seed of a smile. Especially, those people that go through life with a grin or a frown. Eventually, the seed will grow and the flower blossom…and I start to see them smiling more.
That’s one very good seed that people need every day. Haha It can certainly make a difference. 🙂
My father is a College Dean and he always keep on telling me and my siblings “never stop learning”, invest in yourself! that’s the greatest gift you can give to yourself.
One of the greatest gift indeed. I realized this only when I started working. =)
Thank you so much for this. It’s a very timely reminder for myself not just as a professional in my field but also (and more importantly) as a mother. Nobody is too old — or too learned — to learn!
You’re welcome. Time to plant. 😄
Ah… This is a lovely post! I may not be a professional teacher but I teach in our church and yes, I agree that we really need to invest in learning. Learning is never-ending – it doesn’t end when one graduates in college.
We learn until our last breath. =) Teaching kids even outside school can still be tough. =) Thank God we can always come to him for wisdom and strength. =)
I love this! I can relate to this especially now that I’m homeschooling my son. Teaching is such a huge responsibility and can be quite a challenge sometimes. It’s definitely a season to plant for us right now.
Happy planting! 😄
Really great advice here. Su
Thanks, Su. 🙂
I want to plant the see of love. Of hope. Of kindness. And I pray that the good Lord help me be a good example to my boys so they will understand more the meaning of those seeds.
Same here. =)
I’d love to plant seeds of confidence in my toddler. I know my tendency to protect her may be hampering her self-discovery . But slowly, I’m learning to let her go and do her thing.