Why don’t you go teach in a public school? I don’t remember how many times I’ve been asked this question. Well-meaning friends and family, wondering why I would want to waste my time and talents at Small Cloud Christian School when I could have a much “better” job in a public school. And, sadly, some of the people who have asked me this question are members of my own church!
Often their questions are based on some very logical points. (1) I could make more money. Currently, although all my needs are provided for, I don’t make anywhere near the $60,000 average California teacher’s salary. (2) I would get regular medical benefits, and perhaps my husband wouldn’t have to work so hard. (3) I could teach more students. Currently, my classroom consists of four students and two tag-alongs (my twin two-year-olds). And the list of logical points goes on and on.
Finally, after my most recent conversation regarding the matter, I decided it was time to let my voice and God’s voice be known on why I have chosen my current teaching position at Small Cloud.
What is education? “Christian education means the acceptance, in sentiment and principle, of the teachings of the Saviour.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 36. “Godliness—Godlikeness—is the goal to be reached.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 24. “The most essential lessons for teachers and students to learn, are those which point, not to the world, but from the world to the cross of Christ” –Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 11, emphasis mine
As I child, I longed to be a teacher. So, unlike some of my peers who didn’t know what to do with their lives, I knew exactly where I was headed. And I believe God chose me, right then and there, to work for Him.
I attended Pleasant Grove Elementary School and then moved on to Joseph Kerr Middle School. Partway through my seventh-grade year, I learned that my mom’s good friend (Evelyn Holmstroem) had decided to homeschool my friends—her children. Homeschooling? What’s that? But I decided that I wanted to be homeschooled, too. I could already see that the middle school I attended was a very inhospitable place for a girl who wanted to serve God.
Even as I began my first day of homeschooling, I started to see a marked difference in a godly education versus a public school education. At home, I studied the Bible daily, planting God’s Word in my heart. Each of my subjects centered on God: His providence and intervention throughout history, His wisdom and creativity in science, His orderliness and consistency in math, His desire for my communication skills to be perfected for His service, and so on. Instead of six hours of “no God” influence, I was being impressed and touched by Him each hour of every school day.
It is no wonder then, as my godly education continued, that my goals were being shaped as well. I was fascinated with Bible and Spirit of Prophecy counsel on education, while at the same time I wondered why our church had no schools in the United States. My goal enlarged from “I want to be a teacher” to “I want to open my own Christian school.”
God led in miraculous ways (too numerous to recount here), and Small Cloud Christian School was established in 1996. For years, however, I had nagging thoughts egged on by the devil. “You can’t do as good a job as the public school!” “Your school is so small.” “What have you accomplished anyhow?!” Those thoughts, however, changed completely as I started realizing more and more what God wants from His people.
“The highest class of education is that which will give such knowledge and discipline as will lead to the best development of character, and will fit the soul for that life which measures with the life of God.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 45. As a teacher, I make this my goal—to help develop in my students godly characters and to prepare them to spend an eternal life with their Creator. Any teaching, short of this, is a waste! The question is: could I do this in a public school?
Could I pray with my students—asking God to soften their hearts to receive truth, to open their minds to receive knowledge, and to help them through each difficulty that life sends their way? Could I include God in each and every subject—showing His awesomeness and love? Could I encourage each student to have a character like Christ’s—exhibiting patience, thoroughness, diligence, efficiency, and the like? Could I encourage them to memorize Scripture? I couldn’t.
Instead I would be teaching the ways of the world. I would be required to teach that my students and I evolved from some less complex species. I would be required to specifically share the contributions of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender Americans. I would be required to teach literature that would shame a true child of God.
No, in a public school I couldn’t teach what God wants me to teach. But I praise God that here in Wilton, CA, at Small Cloud Christian School, I can!
It is true that I would make more money in a public school. But money wouldn’t satisfy my longing to share with children and youth the hope and joy that God has given me!
Would medical benefits help relieve some of the financial burdens of our home? Perhaps, but God provides more benefits than any earthly employer could ever hope to. Daily, He provides for our family. And, at the same time, He teaches us to depend on Him.
What about students? Could I teach more of them in a public school? Yes, but I couldn’t get to know them as I have gotten to know my Small Cloud students. And what good would it be to have more students if I were shackled—not able to share with them what I really need to? Numbers aren’t everything.
So you see, I don’t feel sorry for my job here at Small Cloud. I don’t long, like the proverbial cow, for fields that are greener. I am in a lush, green field of God’s providence and grace. I’m where God wants me to be!
Sandy Nelson
Wilton, CA
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“In the Teacher sent from God all true educational work finds its center. . . .
In the presence of such a Teacher, with such opportunity for divine education,
what worse than folly is it to seek an education apart from Him—
to seek to be wise apart from Wisdom;
to be true while rejecting Truth;
to seek illumination apart from Light,
an existence without the Life;
to turn from the Fountain of living waters,
and hew out broken cisterns, that can hold no water!”
–Education, p. 83