Letters from Teachers to Teachers
To
dear Brothers and Sisters who want to be impactful, loving
teachers:
”I love JacksonFive!” Now, I'm going to
tell you the reason why.
When I began working here, I loved
kids and had a heart willing to teach. Are you like that? That's
great. I also had a pair of bright, white shoes. Outside of those
three things, I needed help in several areas to become the teacher I
wanted to be.
I had many questions in my mind, and I unleashed
them on some of the leaders at our school. What's a good way to teach
a certain page in such and such a book? What's a good balance of
physical activity that can be mixed
into a lesson? How do I keep them excited without them getting too
excited?
Some of the questions dealt with deeper concerns:
What's a good way to teach the Bible? What about discipline? How do I
show someone I still care for them, while at the same time, be clear
that what they're doing is wrong? What about my white shoes? Can
anyone shine them up? I really need them to sparkle.
I found
that when I asked questions like these, I wasn't berated for not
knowing something already. Rather, answers and encouragement were
offered to me, time and time again. They still are!
Friend, if
you are hungry to learn, and you want to build relationships with
your kids (I've been to recitals, athletic competitions, churches,
homes, movies, restaurants, baptisms, etc.), then pray about our
school. If you value building relationships with your co-workers
(we've had holiday meals, vacations together, started a church,
married each other, etc.), then pray about
our school.
God can use you wherever you are if you're
willing. God bless you.
Writing
with Love,
Aaron Ristino, B.Ed. (teacher 2011-present)
written:
March 23rd,
2015
(crispwhiteshoes@gmail.com)
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I
have worked at JacksonFive since 2007. I can honestly say, “I
love my job.” It is a joy to spend my days teaching young
children English. I'm always amazed at the leaps the students take
from the time they begin their first year in August until December.
By December, we are talking freely about just about anything. We talk
about animal breeds and what continents they are from. We talk about
different kinds of transportation and how to get to Taipei. We talk
about muscles and bones. We talk about the weather. We talk about
life. I love being a part of this process.
JacksonFive is a
Christian English language learning school. We are completely free to
teach the children about Jesus, to teach Bible stories and help
children learn to be kind to each other, that God loves them and
other godly principles that will enrich their lives.
Teacher
Jackson and Teacher Angel are wonderful to work for. They care about
their employees and are always ready to help with any questions we
may have. They care about each individual child and know them all by
name. Teacher Jackson is one of the very best child counselors I've
ever had the privilege of listening in on. He is also an excellent
teacher trainer. If you have difficulties, he has helpful suggestions
and ideas for you. He is a wealth of information for his teaching
staff.
JacksonFive is a positive working environment where
teachers care about each other. You can always hear an encouraging
word here. We support each other and inspire each other. We are all
in this thing of teaching children together and this work is a
worthwhile one.
I'm so glad to be a part of the work here at
JacksonFive and hope to continue for many years to come.
Karen
Harrison (teacher 2007-now)
written: April 14,
2014
(karenjharrison@yahoo.com)
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Dear
Potential Teachers,
JacksonFive is a special place. It is hard
to ignore God’s presence here. I’ve seen students,
parents, teachers and myself change in the best possible way, through
God’s love and grace. It is wonderful to see God’s
miraculous way of answering prayers and healing hearts.
I feel
that God has chosen JacksonFive to be a vessel of his love, because
of Angel and Jackson’s devotion and trust in him. The aim here
is to work towards God’s plan. Jesus knows where we have been
hurt, our weakness and strengths. Employees at JacksonFive are the
tools to help shape the children in the places where God knows they
need help. You must trust in God in order to help him heal and help
the students. Sometimes it is not easy, but God is with us.
Love,
prayer and the word of God are an important part of the school’s
foundation. Each week the staff prays together for the students and
each other. Teachers are also encouraged to teach about God and pray
with their students. There is power in prayer.
Jackson and
Angel are very open about their faith. Teaching the word of God here
is not a clandestine mission. Jackson on a regular basis writes to
the parents about how God has helped him and his students. Jackson
and Angel also have several classes to educate parents and staff
about Jesus. At this time, most of the parents are not Christian; but
we believe God has brought each student, parent and staff member to
JacksonFive for a reason. If you are interested in working for
JacksonFive, please pray and trust the answer God puts in your
heart.
Sincerely,
Sarah Colvin (teacher 2005-2007)
written: March 3,
2007
(sweetcolvin@yahoo.com)
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Working
at JacksonFive school has been a really positive experience for me.
It is encouraging to be able to share my faith with the children and
the other staff who are not Christians. I don’t have to be
afraid to share my faith because working for a Christian couple, it
is expected that I will do that. It has been wonderful to see God
working in the lives of the children, parents and staff here. The
environment that I work in is warm and friendly. If I need help with
anything, I know that all I have to do is ask and anyone here is more
than willing to do anything they can to help me. When I have
something that I need prayer for, I know that I only have to ask and
I will be prayed for faithfully. During my time at JacksonFive
school, I have learned a lot about teaching, myself and God’s
faithfulness and love. Even though I have learned a lot there is
still so much more to learn. It has been a great blessing and
privilege to work at JacksonFive School. I will never regret being
here because I know this is where God called me to be and I have been
changed for the better through my time here.
In
Christ,
Sheena Duncan (teacher 2005-2007)
written: March 1,
2007
(shcathduncan@yahoo.com)