Criteria for connecting with a school-

From childhood, my goal has been to learn something new every day. I believe that we grow as we learn, so the more I learn the more I grow. There are a few things that get in the way of learning or improvement of education. Here are some I see.

• Class Size- My experience and research tells me that when you put more than 25 children in a primary class or more than 30 in a secondary class you get diminished returns that quickly makes achievement impossible. Understanding this principle helps one see the need for reduced class size. It may seem harsh when the queue has 45 applicants with one teacher, but in fact by allowing a class of that size you are cheating all 45 out of an education. How much better it is to limit the number and provide each one with a quality education.
• We’ve Never Done It That Way Before or It Will Never Work- When we prophesize failure, it is much more likely to come true. The same is valid if we refuse to try something new because we have not done it before; without change, we would NEVER grow.
• I Don’t Want to Work That Hard- TEACHING IS HARD WORK! A teacher is underpaid and overworked and underappreciated. In order to be the best, both individual teachers and a faculty as a whole have to see teaching as a calling not a job.

However if a faculty is willing to limit class size, try new things, and work hard, it is easy to lead them on the journey to improved education.

Likewise, there are some requirements in the spiritual realm that preclude my work with schools. These are the necessary spiritual commitments:

• A belief that an eternal relationship with the LORD God of the Bible is available to anyone who believes that the death of Jesus Christ paid the price for each person’s sin.
• This faith is the ONLY way to a restored relationship with God.
• The Bible is God’s Written Word.
• God expects us to study and live by His written word, the Bible.
• Practicing Matthew 28:18-20

Schools with which I work must be committed to telling the good news of Jesus, growing children in the knowledge of God’s Word, and showing them how to serve the LORD God and others.

Lastly it is important for me to focus my effort with schools that work with the neediest of children and orphans. While I believe that each and every school should be on the journey of improvement in education, I desire to spend my time and energy helping, “the least of these”. Schools who are serving orphans and vulnerable children fit best my effort.