Blank Slate Teaching
by Becki Rogers, Not {Quite} SuperMoms
I spent more than a decade teaching. I enjoy the smell of a crisp new lesson plan book with empty seating charts and student lists. Each year, I anticipated the day we received our class lists the same way my children look forward to birthdays or Christmas. Twenty or more new faces to greet on that first day of school started as just names, neatly typed in alphabetical order on a spreadsheet with my name at the top.
Once in a while, one or two students would come with a reputation. Teachers couldn’t help sharing their personal experience—positive or negative, but usually negative—with the teacher who was to inherit that particular student. Whispers at the teachers’ table, or an anecdote mentioned in passing in the hallway would highlight a student’s name on those otherwise impartial class lists.
I learned early on that students’ reputations were not always accurate. Experience and personalities cloud facts, and what might be one teacher’s perception of a student may not be mine in the end. I tried to ignore or set aside anything said about students I had or had not yet welcomed into my class.
You see, I learned to enforce a “blank slate policy” in my classroom. I endeavored to give every student a fresh start—not only every school year, but also every day. I’m not perfect, nor do I claim to be, and I know I wasn’t always successful in this attempt, but I wanted to be, and I tried.
As a teacher, I know I need a blank slate once in a while. My students need it, and even my relationships with coworkers need it. I often quote the verse,
Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh every morning. Lamentations 3:22 NLT
I need the fresh mercies of God—or a blank slate—every day! As a teacher, I know I have the responsibility to offer the same blank slate to my students. Here are three things I try to do to help with that:
I try to take care of discipline issues promptly. It’s not always possible. In some cases, administration or parents have to be informed about situations, and that can take time. Regardless, if it is within my power to do so, I try to handle things quickly and let it be done.
I try not to discuss my student’s inappropriate behavior with anyone except the administration (if necessary). Again, I’m not always successful—a story or experience might pop up in conversation and it’s out of my mouth before I recognize what I’m doing—but I try to follow this principle. Part of blank slate teaching is truly wiping the slate clean in your heart, especially when talking to others.
I ask the Holy Spirit to help me. Really, this should have been my first point. Sometimes, as adults, we hold to the adage, “I’ll forgive, but I won’t forget!” In Psalms 103, David describes our sin as being “as far as the east is from the west.” If God can forgive us that way, and forget our sins too, surely He can help us forgive and forget with our students.
I’m convicted even as I type these words, because I assure you that I don’t get this right all the time. But I want to be a “blank slate” teacher. I’m so thankful for the blank slate Jesus gave me. Do you practice these tips in your classroom already? What else has helped you accomplish blank slate teaching?
Becki Rogers is a writer, blogger, podcaster, and teacher living in Mississippi. Her newest book, Not SuperMoms of the Bible is a “reflection on less than perfect moms”. It’s a refreshing look at those that have gone before, offering us hope and advice on raising kids today. To order your copy, CLICK HERE – you won’t regret it! Want to learn more about Becki and all the cool stuff she’s doing for moms? FOLLOW HER at:
Becki Rogers is a wife, mom, teacher, podcaster, and blogger. After growing up in Maine, Becki and her husband Tom now live in Mississippi with their two children, Asher and Ryleigh. Becki is very involved with her church, where she serves on the worship team and leads a Bible study group for moms. She has written books, blogs, and lesson plans to the benefit of her audience of moms & students alike. Becki is so real and she makes being a mom in this day and age seem doable. Click below to access all her resources and head over to Amazon to grab a copy of her newest book, Not Quite SuperMoms of the Bible!
