“Faster than a speeding bullet … able to leap tall buildings in a single bound …” we are well familiar with the resume of Superman (or Superwoman.) Ironically, because of how well our children perform there is a tendency to view Montessori teachers as Superwomen. They must be, to be able to achieve such amazing outcomes. And when we become Montessori teachers this same myth drives and hounds us.
When Barbara was a young teacher and director she looked at her mature staff in awe. The control, respect and authority they seemed to exude were beyond her experience. That tends to discourage the new teacher. “I’ll never be able to do that” is often the unspoken thoughts of the rookie. It is the same feeling we bring to our regard of mature Christians. “I’ll never be that holy, saintly, confident etc.”
In the years that followed, the younger teachers that Barbara began to mentor would look at her with that same awe and feeling of “I’ll never be able to do that!”
So when do you get the “S” on your T-shirt? When you begin to understand that the “S” is not about super powers but about supernatural power. It is never about how much you work (and there is always work to do to make the environment better.) It is not about how much you know (though the more knowledge you have the better chance you have of earning your “letter.”) It is about who you become and how you become transformed. Each of us starts with the raw talent and ability that God gives us. It is when we become stewards of that talent; when we begin to use it, practice it, develop it and enhance it that we begin to earn our first T-shirt “S” for Steward. And when we begin to expand that stewardship concern to encompass the children given to our care that we begin to become stewards first class.
The challenge of a steward is to do what is best – not only for ourselves – but for the children entrusted to us. Much of our labor in life is done to make us look good. Why do you think that pastor’s children are under such stress and pressure? Because if they are not perfect it reflects badly on the pastor.
The steward does not look into the mirror but into the hearts and lives of the children, choosing the best for each of them.
There is a second meaning to the “S” on the t-shirt – and that is servant. Very few of us growing up had the privilege of teachers who saw themselves as servants and not masters. That used to be the common name for teachers – school masters. Our great teacher came as a servant. The servant and the steward are not looking at what is best for themselves but what is best for their students.
The Montessori (and Christian) concept of servant is not just doing for someone but helping them do for themselves. The classic tendency of mothers is to do for their children (that’s how you show you are a good mother.) but the mother (and teacher) who prepare their children to be independent embody the best of steward and servant.
The “S” also stands for shepherd. As a Christian Montessori teacher our concerns have to go beyond academics. In Montessori academics are wonderful, exciting, phenomenal (and that is what most parents are paying for) but academics are just one component of the child’s life and needs. Academics can serve both the temporal and spiritual life of the child. Montessori children are trained to make choices – wise choices. Since life is full of choices to be made it is wise choice making that brings the possibilities of success.
It is also the introduction to academics – science, math, language, art, music and nature that can usher them into God’s presence – full of awe and wonder. The ability to read (and read well) allows the child to explore the scriptures and to let God speak to him.
The role of shepherd is added to steward and servant. You can be a steward and a servant doing the right things but without caring for the sheep. But you can’t be a true shepherd unless you care. Scripture says that the hireling flees when there is danger. David the shepherd fought for and protected his sheep.
So you too become the shepherd of your sheep. You become their pastor. Sometimes you pastor with words, most often with actions but always with love. You lay your life down for the sheep. You pray for them. You counsel. You guide. You lead them by still waters, through the scary places. You keep them safe from the lion and the bear. The “S” for shepherd is hard won.
But there is one more “S’ to consider – saint. Oh, No! “I’m no saint.” But yes you are. We have a wrong definition of saint. Maybe we’ve let the world define saint. The world wants saint to be someone (a very few someones) who is beyond the “norm” of humanity in goodness, kindness etc. They do this to excuse themselves from even having to bother to even enter this state. “I’m no saint.” Is still a poor excuse.
But what does God call a saint? Someone who is in communion with Him. Someone who is being transformed into the image of His Son. God’s idea of saint does not involve perfection. A saint is someone who in being transformed takes on God’s agenda rather than his own; who begins to think God’s thoughts, who begins to breathe God’s breath in order to put that living breath into others. It is when God breathes into us and through us that we truly become living beings.
That “S” on your T-shirt is imprinted and fulfilled in the supernatural. That “S” is designed to bring many sons and daughters to God. Wear it proudly. Wear it humbly. Wear it daily.