Becky Crenshaw

I was barely twenty-three years old and hard pressed to measure 5’4″  in my best wedge.

It was my first fall semester as a new teacher.  ~Freshman and Sophomore English~  Did I mention I was twenty-three?  A shy eight-years-older than the students I taught. I can only imagine how seriously they did not take me.

Oh, I was an insecure little mess.

To prove how young-looking and so very 5’4″  I was, the assistant Principal mistook me for a student one day. Yelling me down one afternoon for running up the stairs.  My arms full of handouts from the printer.  (I was late to something, I am sure.)

“Slow down” he barked.

My face hot, I turned and apologized.

Add that to my insecurity bank.  Sigh.

Four years of college and two years of post grad do nothing to by-pass the amount of Rookie I had to work through as a first year teacher. There is no way around it.  R-O-O-K-I-E.  Not to mention the one “about-to-retire-and-I-don’t-care-what-anyone-thinks” teacher who called me “Rookie” every chance he had.   Oh how those tenured teachers made me shake in my boots.  Or in my case, wedges.  All of their wisdom and experienced shrunk my 5’4″ down to one inch tall.  I sat and nodded through every faculty meeting, praying no one would ask me my thoughts.  Mark this as one of the few times in my life I haven’t had much to say.

If I could do it all over again, I would make a suggestion to the University of Tennessee.  A suggestion for another class to be added to the education curriculum.

School Politics 101:  What to know and how to survive

Little Crenshaw babies came quickly, so I didn’t teach long.  But I taught long enough to learn how grueling school politics can be.  I wasn’t prepared as a new teacher for this.  I didn’t realize how much goes on behind staff meeting doors that parents never know about. (Teachers, you’ve got a hand raised right now, I know)

Hardship and politics fall on every school. And even though I taught at an incredible school smack-dab in the heart of the Bible belt, we were very effected.  Bible-belt schools wrestle with politics.  Even BIBLE SCHOOLS wrestle with politics. Amen?

Satan wants our babies, remember?  He prowls around looking for someone to devour.  And he is methodical.  He premeditates.  And I bet my bottom dollar he sits waiting in the brush, ready to pounce outside your child’s school.

Scary thought?  It should be.

He would love nothing more than to tear a good school apart.  You know, the good school we send our children into every morning?

And what better way to ruin a piece of good fruit?  Start at its core….  The faculty.  The staff.

Oh parents.  We must pray for our school leadership.  They need us.

They need our encouragement and support.  They could use a card from you.  Or that amazing banana bread recipe you make.  Let us show our appreciation for them on days other than May 7th (Teacher Appreciation Day).  Let them know that you are EXCITED about this coming year.

I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 2:10-12

Paul urges us – Pray for the authorities.  Pray for peace and quiet and dignity.  Pray for them to pursue Jesus.  Pray they will lead godly lives.  Oh Lord, I pray that my boys’ teachers and authorities will be wise and serve the Lord with fear.  I beg you, Lord.  Mmm.

Father God, thank you for the faculty and staff of our schools.  Lord, I lift them up to you.  Specifically I pray over ________________  and _________________.  I ask you would fill them with your Holy Spirit.  If they are not believers in Christ, I ask for you to move into their space and change their hearts.  Bless them, Lord.  I bind any “spirit of strife” that tries to come upon the faculty of our school.  I they would have peace, quiet, and dignity in all circumstances.  Lord, I ask that the relationship they share with my child to be healthy and favorable in Your sight.  I pray we would all work as unto You and not to please man (Col 3:23).  Anoint the staff and faculty with Your Holy Spirit.  Pour Yourself on them today.  Protect our school from the wiles of the devil (Eph 6:11 KJV).  It’s in the powerful name of Jesus I pray,  Amen.

Reflect and Respond:

Take five minutes and write an email or note to your child’s teacher(s) telling them you are praying for them as they prepare and plan for this year.

Get to know the main office staff  over the course of this new school year.  They do so much!  Pray for them by name.  Ask God how you can bless them, too.  Serving?  Prayer?  Banana bread (wink)? 

Power Verses:

Romans 13:1:  For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

Ephesians 6:10-11:  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

If you know the name of your child’s teacher, Principal, Headmaster, etc,  write it in the comment section.  Together, let us all lift up the names of these important people.  PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE INCLUDED!