Brandy Dixon

111 CR 691
Teague, TX 75860

EC-6

Christian Beliefs and Values

Even though I know I want to be a teacher, I also realize that there will be quite a few
negatives along with the positives in this field. In todays world, as we switch into a more liberal
period, Christians who have semi-conservative beliefs have begun to face more opposition than
they use to. As I get into the teaching field, I find that there are far more obstacles than I had
originally believed. As we learn about how to become a teacher, we also learn about the issues
that educators face in their everyday life. The main issue that I have been worried about
encountering when I become a teacher is the problem of expressing my Christian beliefs in
todays society.
Christian teachers are facing more and more resistance when it comes to expressing their
beliefs and values in the world today. I realize that when I become a teacher it could be even
more difficult for me to talk about being a Christian and what my beliefs are with my students.
Thankfully, we still have the pledge in our schools and they have not taken One nation, under
God out of it yet, but I believe that issue will come up again one day. I am very glad that we
still have the moment of silence daily in school today, but there was a day where it was allowed
for teachers to pray with their students. Some places though, do not have this moment of silence
anymore and that just has to do with me being from a small Christian town vs the bigger more
liberal cities.
I have been substituting for over a year and half now and I cannot even count how many
times I had to stop myself from blurting something out and instead think to myself should I say
that? before saying anything because it had to do with being a Christian. During my experience
I have already encountered problems with parents, administration, and other faculty. This shows
me how hard it is going to be when I become a teacher and I am teaching every day, because

thus far I have only substituted for a year and half and that has not been anywhere near every
day. On average, I may have substituted twice a week with the exception of a few long-term
assignments.
I remember thinking to myself at one point during a long-term assignment with
kindergarten that I may lose that long-term assignment because of what I did. That morning, I
remember it was only ten or fifteen minutes into the day and I was already having problems with
name calling and the students saying mean things to each other so I decided to play this small
portion of a popular Christian song that had to do with building each other up instead of breaking
each other down. I got all of the children sat down and quiet and told them I really wanted them
to pay attention to what this song was saying. We werent fifteen seconds into the song when one
of my kids yelled out I know this songthis is a Jesus song! It made me smile at the time, but
later I thought that it may have been a better idea just to talk to the kids about this lesson instead
of listening to the song.
It will be difficult to please parents and administration while at the same time expressing
my values and beliefs in my classroom, but I will find ways to manage. The only solution I can
find would be to go about expressing my values and beliefs in ways that arent frowned upon.
For example, in my rules and procedures and teaching my kids right from wrong. I can find ways
to explain to children how being nice is the right thing to do and that it is what we should do
without having to read the bible. I will not be afraid to express my beliefs and values, but instead
I will be smart about how I do so. Last but not least, I will find a small Christian town to settle
down in and pursue my career in changing the lives of children.