Going to Class Early

In addition, the students learn about me and what I do outside of class. I talk about football, NASCAR races, my Sunday School class, my dogs, and almost anything else that comes up. During these conversations, I learn about boyfriends that had to be bailed out of jail, student vacations, and many other events in these students lives. 

Because they know I am a Christian they ask me questions.

For instance, before class, a student expressed how difficult it must be for me to teach one thing on Sunday and then come to science class and teach something else on Monday. This question led into a more extended conversation about how my belief system, world view, is the same on Sunday as it is in science class on Monday. This discussion did in fact spill over into class time. 

As a theme in all my science classes, I repeatedly cover topics on the nature of science (NOS) and how science, religion, and philosophy are related to each other, and how they are different. Without meaning to, a before class discussion became a short NOS of that day’s class.

During the spring term, I typically teach an integrated science class for future middle school science teachers. I arrive at class early and there are usually students, arriving before class starts, to have some lunch and just chit chat. By the end of the term, we’ve become a little community with students even bringing cupcakes and other snacks for the entire class to enjoy. 

Before class on Mondays, I remember one of the students and I talking about the previous weekend’s NASCAR race. On the final exam day I was handing out the exam. My NASCAR buddy asks to speak with me privately after class. So, while I was proctoring the exam, I was envisioning all types of negative things about which he wanted to talk to me. Usually, these discussions are about some of the class cheating, or how they needed an A+++ to maintain their financial aid, or whatever. But this was an A level student, so I didn’t know what to expect. 

What he said took me by complete surprise.

 He had been taking a Bible study class in which they were learning about encouraging other Christians. Based on that Bible study, he wanted to thank me for showing him how to teach science from a Christian perspective without being controversial and to encourage me to continue this in other classes I teach. Then he reached into his backpack and pulled out a NASCAR cap autographed by one of the drivers we regularly talked about before class on Mondays.

 When I got to my office I also received the following e-mail from this student:

“I enjoyed your class and learned a lot. I want to thank you for showing me how to express my Christian views in class without getting in trouble. We need more professors like you in the education community.  I want to encourage you to keep the faith and keep up the good work.  Hebrews 10:24 – 25.  … I have never paid that much attention to science, but I studied very hard and found the topics very interesting.  Thank you for helping me better understand physical science.”

A few days later I saw this student and gave him a copy of A Grander Story and encouraged him in his future career as a middle school science teacher. 

Going to class early has been a blessing to me, and the students get something from me that’s more than just a grade.