Qualities of an Inclusive Christian Teacher

The ultimate focus of Adventist education seeks “to restore the image of Christ in those placed under their care.”

Best Practices December 13, 2018

Ellen G. White says, “Teachers are to watch over their students, as the shepherd watches over the flock entrusted to his charge. They should care for souls as they that must give account” (Special Testimonies on Education, 48. 4). Children with special needs flourish under personalized care. The ultimate focus of Adventist education is “to restore the image of Christ in those placed under their care,” and achieving that goal for students with special needs requires careful thought.

As Adventist teachers, we should be inclusive in order to accommodate the challenges of all students. This mnemonic, comprised of words whose first letters spell “inclusive,” can be helpful for remembering the essential qualities required of an inclusive Christian teacher:

  • Integrity and intuitiveness. Teachers need to be Christ-like role model to students. Further, teachers must use their intuitive skills to uncover the underlying reasons behind the behavior of students with special needs (Purdue, 2018). They should remember that all students are formed in the image of their Creator and that Christ is the pattern after which they are to be fashioned (White, 1896).
  • Normalization. As teachers, “we are under solemn, sacred covenant to God to bring up our children for Him and not for the world; to teach them not to put their hands into the hand of the world, but to love and fear God, and to keep His commandments” (Special Testimony on Education, 48. 6). Because of this, the teacher should accept their students’ disabilities and work with students who have special needs to develop their strengths, just as they do with other students.
  • Comradeship. Teachers should be hospitable to students with special needs in order to help them feel comfortable during the learning process. The Bible gives many clear examples of practicing hospitality by providing help to the needy (Genesis 18, 19; I Kings 17; II Kings 4), and teachers should do the same.
  • Learning patience and accommodation. Children with disabilities need special attention and sometimes extra patience. As James 1:19 reminds us, it is good to be quick to listen and slow to speak and to become angry.
  • Uniformity. Teachers being consistent in schedule and environment helps many children with special needs. Since these children are sometimes slow to adapt to changes, it can be helpful when teachers behave predictably.
  • Special value of every individual. Teachers need to recognize the special value of each student and remember that all humans are created in God’s image.
  • Individual rights such as justice, protection, equality, and provision. Students with special needs are entitled to equality and protection rather than skepticism or resistance.
  • Visualization of desired learning. Teachers should visualize their plans and ensure the plans will address the different needs of all students, including students with special needs. Further, teachers should assist learners in visualizing a clear path to achieving their learning objectives.
  • Expertise in growth and development. Teachers should develop expertise in methods for optimizing student growth and development. Every child comes with different developmental factors and backgrounds, and teachers should have the expertise to adjust for these differences.

These qualities can be challenging in practice, but achieving them is possible. As Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Similarly, Galatians 6:9 reminds us to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Author

Ranjith Gladstone

Ranjith Kingston Gladstone, PhD Candidate (C&I, Instructional Technology), the Coordinator at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) Academy, lives in the Philippines with his wife, Mrs. Carol Linda Kingston, and son, Carl Jason Harston Kingston. He has 14 years of teaching experience at Spicer College and at AIIAS in the fields of education, research & sciences. He has been awarded the "Nemesio E Prudente Excellence in Research Award 2015," and the "EDU-SAU Best Research Paper Presentation Award 2016" for research excellence, and has presented dozens of research papers at different international venues.

    8 comments

  • | December 14, 2018 at 1:34 am

    Great piece!
    The Christian (Adventist) teachers can help students with special needs only when they are converted.

  • | December 17, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    Acredito que a construção de conteúdos que por fim, estajam interligados em salvar e servir, agrega valor espiritual e crescimento institucional, quando abertos a temas tão relevantes como esse. Parabéns!

  • | January 1, 2019 at 9:38 am

    Wonderful work. Can someone talk about how to integrate faith and learning at the university level?

  • | February 20, 2021 at 8:35 am

    It’s good to practice today because it’s makes ateacher to be Christ like

  • | February 28, 2022 at 4:34 am

    Very interesting and educative

  • | March 24, 2022 at 5:01 pm

    nice concepts. However, reality is mostly far away from the the vast ocean of scholarly thinking.

  • | June 13, 2022 at 8:02 am

    Thank u for yo research but I also wish I could get a PHD in theology btbi ask my self how then my heart say to me you will bcz the God of Abraham Isaac &Jacob is there for you but… So how did you do it to have a PhD.

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