Encouragement Needed
// Rachel DeTellis
1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage one another and build each other up…” Each of us needs to both give and receive encouragement.
The stereotypical Third World school tends to use more punishment than reward to improve the students’ behavior and performance. So, a couple years ago, I decided to order Student/Teacher of the Month plaques for each of our schools as a means of encouragement and motivation. It was a small thing for the schools to utilize and I didn’t know if they would really be used or appreciated. However, recently I have received feedback that this small change has been a good tool for encouragement.
Left and middle: Maylove Eximond and Jeffly Casimir attend our Darbonne campus. They enjoy school, and Maylove wants to be a nurse. Right: Simon Silbert, New Missions graduate and sixth grade teacher at Leogane Guillaume school, is a huge help during recess.
Jessica Furcy, a PK3 teacher at our Signeau campus, spending extra time with some of the students.
Every month, the schools pick both a Teacher of the Month and a Student of the Month for each grade. Teachers who perform well in their job, have a pleasant attitude, and go above and beyond in making the environment at school safe and happy are considered for the recognition. Just like in America, young children have a lot of needs and that means teachers always have an ample amount on their plates. For students to receive the Student of the Month award they must have good classroom behavior, be faithful in homework completion, and be attentive in class. The school directors are happy to honor their teachers and students. ~Rachel DeTellis
