“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized
by
one Spirit
so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many” (
New International Version,
2011, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). To
me, this verse tells us that we are all functioning as one – we all have different parts, but at the end we are one body. Expanding on that, it means that each human here on Earth is here for a reason, and has a special mission based on his/her talents. Each school comprises of individuals of different beliefs, cultures, nationalities, ideas, who were all created equal in the image of God. Oftentimes, it seems as if educators become complacent in their profession leading them into the world of sin – these teachers take pride in the knowledge that they have. As Manning (2020) mentions, humans tend to get wrapped up in our personal egos. It is important to remember the accomplishments that have happened, while not allowing them to cloud our judgment. Manning (2020) states “At the heart of the Christian faith and of Jesus’ teaching is an impulse towards unity” (p.278). In his time on Earth, Jesus taught the importance of unity and peace. This is extremely important to carry into our classrooms – all students’ cultures and differences between each other should be treated the same and all should be equally respected. Having a classroom that emphasizes unity will allow all cultures to be appreciated and celebrated. A way that I ensure this in my classroom is teaching in a way that is culturally responsive. The diversity in the classroom has increased, even from when I was in high school 10 years ago. Making sure that every student feels seen, heard, and celebrated is important in creating a welcoming classroom environment. Speaking on the classes that I have taught, having a safe space for students will promote academic excellence. These students will feel comfortable in a classroom promotes learning in a diverse way, which will increase classroom engagement and retention. References
Manning, P.R. (2020). Teaching contemplatively for unified hearts and communities. Religious Education, 115(3). 278-290. https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2020.1738146
New International Version
. (2011). BibleG
ateway.com. http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#booklist
