Make the best of your time with the children for successful classes

1. Give attention to your own spiritual journey. Pray for the children each day.
2. Be prepared. Thoroughly know your lesson material and lesson plan.
3. Arrive early and prepare your spirit through prayer.
4. Make sure your room is ready for the children, that it is clean, safe, and welcoming.
5. Make sure your own attitude is one of welcome and acceptance.
6. Verbally share your expectations with the children. Model the behavior you expect from them. Keep your voice calm and just loud enough to be heard. Handle all materials with great care.
7. When there are disruptions, deal with them in a respectful, quiet, calm manner.
8. If disruptions occur, remind the children of what is expected. At this point, do not single out any particular child or children.
9. If a particular child continues to disrupt the group, ask him or her to sit outside the group where he/she can see what is going on but will not be able to continue disrupting the class.
10. Stay away from an attitude of punishment. Talk about children having difficult days or needing help. Use words that promote understanding not punishment.
11. Remove a child from the classroom only as an absolute last resort. If you get to this point, give the child a choice of returning to the class, sitting quietly with another adult, taking a few minutes with another adult outside the classroom door. Dealing with disruptive behaviors is important work because by doing so you are helping to build a positive and safe community of children.
12. Be familiar with child development information.
13. Respect the community of children who will gather in your classroom each Sunday and trust in God's presence.
14. Be open to the wisdom of children and have fun with them.
15. Each week, evaluate and make needed adjustments. If there have been problems, look at yourself first. Evaluate your own preparation and attitude.
16. Share information with parents.
17. Pray for the children in your class, by name, each day. Send birthday cards. Send notes when they are absent. Let them know you care about them.
18. Share insights about particular children with your church school director, pastor, and co-teachers.
19. Let the appropriate person(s) know about needed supplies, problems, joys, concerns, and suggestions.

The Rev. Kaye Edwards, director of Family and Children's Ministries, is a native of Paris, Ky., and a member of Church of The Covenant, Lynchburg, Va. Edwards can be reached at (434) 832-1119, or facsimile (434) 528-4919. Her office and mailing address are 1290 Enterprise Drive, Lynchburg, Va. 24502.

"You are a teacher when you share yourself and your faith with others. That is what God is calling you to be and to do."

Twenty ways to nurture and support teachers

1. Covenant with your teachers, insuring them that their ministry is important.
2. Dedicate your teachers during worship service acknowledging their "Call to Teach."
3. Create a teacher handbook providing information and support.
4. Provide experienced teachers to serve as a coach or buddy for inexperienced new teachers.
5. Pray always for your teachers, and be a teacher's advocate.
6. Prepare a monthly newsletter including calendar of events, teaching tips and new resources.
7. Encourage teachers to have a study place, prayer partner and support group.
8. Feature "Teacher and/or Class of the Month" in church newsletter, bulletin or bulletin board
9. Publicize teachers' successes: bulletins, newsletters, exhibits and pulpit.
10. Take pictures of teachers and students while engaged in class activities and create a display.
11. Create a video or power point presentation and show during special gatherings.
12. Recruit substitute teachers and occasionally implement "Teacher's Day Off" to allow teachers to attend other classes.
13. Plan an annual "Open House" and invite the congregation to visit classrooms.
14. Provide lists of substitute teachers (teachers are away) and helping hands (additional activities).
15. Provide necessary resources, basic supplies, equipment and a clean facility.
16. Give a gift of appreciation such as certificate, tote bag, resource book, flowers or bookmark.
17. Provide an occasional treat as they arrive for class.
18. Have an appreciation meal to express "We Love Our Teachers!"
19. Reimburse teachers for incurred expenses such as crafts and supplies.
20. Stay in contact with teachers through phone calls, notes, letters and cards to say "We Care!"

Additional Suggestions for teacher self-care are:

• Sabbath Time: Worship, rest from work, relationships and leisure
• Spiritual Retreat and Quiet Time
• Prayer
• Journaling
• Support Group
• Flexible Schedule

Resource: The Nuts & Bolts of Christian Education: Practical Wisdom for Teachers and Leaders by Delia Halverson

The Rev. Billye P. Bridges, Director of Christian Education, Disciples Home Missions, is a native of Jackson, Miss., and a member of Light of the World Christian Church, Indianapolis.