From the Eagle’s Nest – November Newsletter
By: Julie Cordray, Head of School
Do you watch HGTV? I don’t get to watch very often, but I especially love the home decorating and cooking shows. It’s amazing to me how some people can take a can of paint, some thrift store finds and well-placed accessories, and turn them into a beautiful living space. Any Great British Baking Show fans out there? The skill and precision those “amateur” bakers use to create something that looks like art and tastes like “amazing” is high entertainment in my book. There’s something about watching people do what they do best that’s satisfying.
Maybe that’s why I enjoy teacher observations. All last month, I spent time visiting each teacher’s classroom to watch what they do best, and it’s been one of my favorite things all year. I can’t tell you how encouraged I am by the passion, dedication, and skill I’ve seen demonstrated, from the early childhood classrooms all the way up to middle school. Here are some things that stood out across the boards:
- Students feel secure. They are attentive, responsive, and focused on learning because teachers have intentionally built relationships of trust. Students are engaged in meaningful learning activities that balance challenge with support. Teachers are in tune with individual student strengths and weaknesses.
- Teachers use creativity and innovation that is purposeful. Curriculum goals and academic rigor are not sacrificed for the sake of amusement.
- Classrooms are well-managed. Students understand the expectations and are redirected or corrected with compassion, kindness, and grace.
- Teachers have established routines and procedures that create a sense of order and make the most of learning time. Students know and practice these procedures seamlessly.
- Teachers intentionally design instruction to help students develop and apply a biblical worldview to their learning.
After making these observations in over 15 hours spent in classrooms since the beginning of the school year, I can say with confidence that TOCS students are receiving an excellent academic education, while also being known and loved as precious image-bearers of God.
These are the teachers your children are spending their days with. What a gift! They are Jesus’ hands and feet to our students, faithfully living out the call He has placed on their lives to nurture spiritual development, academic excellence, and servant leadership in the hearts and minds of the students in their classrooms. What a blessing it is to know that our students are in very capable hands.
