Called to Teach

 

Early in my career, I discovered that teaching is not a task for the faint-hearted! Teaching is often considered a “calling” rather than just a job because, at many levels, it involves a deep commitment to serving students and families, as well as a core desire to integrate one's faith into every educational experience.

For many teachers (not all), the decision to teach is a response to a spiritual “call” on their lives. They feel a strong sense of purpose and mission to use their talents and abilities to nurture young people and to prepare them to become responsible, compassionate, and productive members of society.

   Called teaching is not just about imparting knowledge.  Along with academic excellence, it also involves creating a learning environment that reflects, however subtly, faith, love, and grace and encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of their place in the universe and their relationship with others.

   Teaching is a demanding profession, requiring dedication, sacrifice, and a willingness to serve others. However, it is also a profoundly fulfilling and rewarding vocation, offering opportunities to positively impact students' lives and contribute to the work of transforming the world. “Called” teachers try to uphold and model these values in teaching, interactions with students and parents, and relationships with colleagues, integrating them into every subject and lesson. Are you still "called"?

   Stable schools are often recognized for their strong sense of community, where teachers, students, and families collaborate to create a supportive and nurturing learning environment and foster a sense of fellowship. As a teacher, you will be expected to contribute to this community, building relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.

   Schools are committed to academic excellence, and teachers are expected to deliver high-quality instruction that challenges and engages students. This teaching involves creating rigorous and relevant lesson plans, using effective strategies, and continually assessing and evaluating student progress. As a "called" school teacher, you must become a skilled master of your craft, knowledgeable, agile, and wholly committed to fulfilling your calling.

   In addition to academic instruction, most schools also emphasize character development, helping students cultivate virtues such as honesty, integrity, kindness, and service. As a "called" teacher, you will be expected to model and promote these virtues and to provide opportunities for students to practice and develop them. Lesson planning, teaching strategies, and classroom management will be prime opportunities to showcase values and principles. 

   Suppose you are contemplating and even praying about teaching. It will be essential to consider the following questions as you reflect on your sense of calling and evaluate whether this spiritual vocation fits your gifts, skills, personality, and values. 

Here is an opportunity for self-reflection on your calling to teach. Only you can answer each question on the checklist with honest intent. Seek God's guidance as you respond.

Respond by circling your best response on a scale of one to five, one being the lowest on the scale and five being the highest.  

1=No    2     3= Not Decided   4      5=Absolutely!

Do you feel called to serve the community and others through teaching?      

1      2      3       4       5

Are you committed to integrating faith and learning, and to helping students develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world?  

1     2     3      4      5 

Do you have a passion for working with young people and helping them grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually?  

1     2     3     4     5

Are you patient, compassionate, and able to build strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues?  

1     2     3     4     5

Are you willing to collaborate with other teachers, administrators, and staff to contribute to a positive and supportive school culture?

1     2     3     4     5

Do you have strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, and can you adapt to different learning styles and abilities?

1    2    3    4   5

Are you willing to commit to ongoing professional development and continually strive to improve your teaching practice?  

1    2    3    4    5

Are you comfortable with the school's beliefs and values, and do you feel called to support and promote these values in your teaching?

 1    2    3    4    5

 

So, are you called to teach?  As you reflect on your honest responses to these questions, you can better understand your sense of calling to teach and evaluate whether this vocation aligns with your gifts, passions, beliefs, and goals. 

                          Wendell C Douglas, Editor | President and CEO | Douglas Education, LLC | All Rights Reserved | 2025