Chairman's Chat

ACTS is a forum for encouraging us and our fellow colleagues who work with children and young people to the best of our ability in the name of Christ; a network for the sharing of inspiring stories about what a distinctively Christian contribution can add to the ethos of a school and the learning experiences of our pupils- the Association of Christian Teachers is this and much more!

I’ve been a member since someone told me about the Association in my teacher training year at Moray House (Edinburgh University). I always come away from reading the magazines (InterACT/ACT Now) or attending meetings with a real buzz. I love it! Every Christian teacher, learning assistant or other school/college staff could benefit from the support and inspiration. We are starting up new working groups to allow more teachers to shape how we support and inspire Christian colleagues across Scotland.

What are some of the challenges facing teachers and school staff?

The challenge to keep fresh and enthusiastic! There’s lots of paper work, discipline issues, increasing numbers of children with additional support needs, and loads of possibilities (and vagueness!) surrounding Curriculum for Excellence. Rather than be dragged down by all this, a supportive network of enthusiastic Christian teachers and other school staff really helps remind us why we do what we do - to influence and shape children, positively motivated by our love for Christ and faith in him. Practically, for colleagues to meet and pray with or be prayed for, good ideas, reviews of good resources - all of this support is appreciated!

What has God laid on your heart about serving Him in school?

I love praying with Christian colleagues every month. We also run an SU group together on a Wednesday lunch time, and more recently on a Friday morning for prayer! I love those conversations that come up every so often with young people in the classroom about faith in God, why a Physics teacher couldn’t possibly believe, and similar topics! Actually, so many individual colleagues and pupils need prayer about critical issues. I wish I was better at keeping up the constant stream of prayer for them all.

On a national level, I’d love to see every school community receiving regular prayer- for staff, pupils and their families. We in ACT have always been happy to support the aims of the Schools Prayer Network- registering as a prayer group is helpful so we all know that our local schools are covered, but the main thing is to actually keep up the prayers! They make more of a difference than we know!

Additionally for teachers with faith, it is vital to have the chance to think through and discuss professional issues from a Christian perspective. Call it CPD or whatever, but we need to use our brains and integrate our faith perspective with our professional practise. ACT works to provide this through a termly magazine, website, and meetings both locally and nationally. We are in the planning stages of a teacher retreat which could be an amazing inspirational time to be energised and re-focused on what God wants to do in our schools- mostly through ordinary people who dare to step out in some way...

What encouragements have you seen in schools prayer?

I’ve been so encouraged by the three early morning prayer times attended by 6-7 pupils and 3-4 staff in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

What a buzz to start the day sharing prayer requests, noting what the Lord has done previously and then praying together before sharing bacon rolls!

I wanted to share this with you as it may inspire people to try something. Certainly Christian teachers at Musselburgh Grammar give thanks for the devotion and desire that our Lord is stirring up in the hearts of young people and adults alike! This can only be a good thing for our school community.

Bernard Bowers (Pastoral Support Teacher and Association Chair)