Honouring Christian teachers on World Teachers' Day

Labor’s David Smith MP, and the Liberal Party’s Senator Matt O’Sullivan, may clash on policies and on their vision for Australia.

But they have both noticed something about Christian teachers at Christian schools.

Wonderful things can happen when teachers bring their living faith to the way they teach children. They may have heard some of the stories you’ve shared.

So when we asked if they would send a message affirming Christian teachers they jumped at the chance (please send a quick note to Senator O’Sullivan and David Smith MP to thank them for their support of Christian schools.)

(Even if they couldn’t resist some polite ribbing.)

Perhaps they heard about the teacher from a Baptist School on the West Coast visiting children in hospital who had self harmed. Not strictly part of her job. But faith prompts you to love and serve students in unexpected ways.

Maybe they heard about a teacher in the ACT who spends time helping children to forgive each other, inspired by Christ, and restore friendships. Not part of the national curriculum. Definitely requiring extra effort and time. But when you bring your living faith to the playground and classroom, that’s what you do.

They might have caught word of the history teacher in Western Sydney who help kids from Middle Eastern communities, many of whom are greatly distressed by world events. How they give their hearts to experience the grief and anxiety of these children; to hear the questions they have about God and justice. It takes plenty of faith to listen and care when there are no immediate answers — and when it doesn’t directly lead to a learning outcome.

Senator O’Sullivan and Mr Smith may be diametrically opposed in their politics, but another area of agreement they have is this: we need more teachers like these three. By 2025, across all our schools — Christian, independent, Catholic and government — we will be 4,000 teachers short.

The problem isn’t just here in Australia; it’s global. And it’s why the theme for this year’s World Teachers’ Day is:

“The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage”.

What part can Christian communities play in resolving the global teaching crisis? Start right where we are.

Help a teacher at a Christian school to sustain themselves in their work.

Share some praise.

Offer some support.

Let them know that you see their faith at work, just like the Parliamentarians are noticing.

It will help keep Christian teachers doing the life-changing work they do.

Join the movement to keep the good news coming.