Best. Teacher. Ever.

It was Jack’s third-grade year, and the science fair was looming. I was at a loss. Some parents help their kids create awesome science projects using wires, chemicals, yarn, etc. But I was under no illusions of grandeur. I knew I was limited. Nevertheless, we had to come up with something really cool or risk my baby boy’s reputation for being the cutest smart boy in the entire third grade at Union Elementary in Gallatin, TN.

Challenge accepted!

I told Jack we needed three things: gummy worms, bread, and books. His jaw hit the ground…not in a good way. “Trust me,” I said. I know, famous last words. But this time…

SCORE! We took our scant supplies, plus posters and diagrams, and showed the step-by-step process of how fossils are made. Jackson won third place overall. Plus, his teacher was so impressed with his project that she requested the instructions so she could do it with future classes. (Link to the gummy worm fossils lesson.) Why? Because good teachers understand that hands-on activities help students learn. (Shout out to Greg Nash, Martha Thompson, Linda Huey, Becky Horton, Cara Schaefer, and all you other amazing hands-on teachers out there! We see you and appreciate you!)

An article about hands-on learning.

Seriously, the best. 🥇

But the award for BEST hands-on teacher ever? God! 🏆🎉

Go ahead…roll your eyes. But think about it: from Genesis through Revelation, God showed his creation how much he loved them, and he did it all through experiential learning. I mean, teachers, take look at His manipulatives…the ark…the temple… Am I right?

Our congregation is looking at the book of Mark during this season of Lent. Yesterday’s sermon was about the Transfiguration of Christ. If you’re unfamiliar with it, check it out in Mark 9, or here is a quick run-down, Mamadorff-style:

Jesus took three of his peeps up to a mountain to pray. The three fell asleep, and when they woke, they saw two men with Jesus, and Jesus was glowing. Turns out, the two men were Moses and Elijah – representing the law and the prophets…which was a big deal to Jewish dudes.

The disciples were freaking out, especially since Jesus was glowing! Peter made it awkward by saying it was so awesome he wanted to stay there forever and recommended building a memorial, times three. Jesus said no, which was more awkward. Then there was a cloud, and God spoke audibly, reminding them that Jesus was legit. The three walked down the mountain with JC, pinching each other to see if what they thought they saw, they really saw. Jesus told them – yes, you saw it, but you can’t tell anyone you saw it. You just need to remember it happened… You experienced it.

I’m sure they were like, “Wow. That was wild! Absolutely unforgettable. As if we can forget that!“

Now I get it!

And yet, a few short days later, they forgot. Admittedly I would’ve forgotten, too; they were traumatized by the glorified Jesus being arrested, flogged, and crucified. Nevertheless, they experienced the glory of the Messiah firsthand. Surely that lesson stuck.

It did! That hands-on lesson came back to them after the resurrection. I imagine it went something like this:

“Ohhhhhh! I get it now! He showed us a little bit of this on the mountain, remember? Jesus was glowing and He was with Moses and Elijah… Wow. He gave us that snapshot so we would be bold enough to vouch for it! We saw it and heard it firsthand! Jesus, dude, you are genius! Guys, let’s do this!”

But God didn’t just show them. He showed us, too. We have scripture, tradition (the church), reason, AND experience.

But did it work?

Did kinesthetic (hands-on) learning work for my third grader?

Jackson might not remember every step in the process of how a fossil forms. Honestly, he probably only remembers pressing gummy worms into bread and squishing them with books. Yet the goals of the project were accomplished: to facilitate growth; to promote critical thinking skills; to use the student’s whole brain; to associate actions with words. Each goal was met because of Jackson’s active participation.

Likewise, the three disciples probably didn’t remember every detail of being on the mountain with Jesus that day. But according to Mark, they remember using their senses; touching, seeing, speaking and hearing. They walked up the hill, saw a glorified Jesus with Moses and Elijah (who were long gone), spoke to Jesus, and heard God speak. That’s experiential learning at its best! Yes, it worked! Seriously, God is the Best. Teacher. Ever.

Thanks for being the best teacher ever!

Father God,
Knowing that actions mean more than words, you went above and beyond to show us who you are and how much you love us. You sent your Son, Jesus; He was the ultimate lesson in forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love. But more so, He was your action to redeem us. He experienced crucifixion, death, and resurrection, so we can know you better and have salvation. Thank you for your active presence in our lives. And thank you for being the best teacher ever!
Amen

Check out another blog giving props to educators: The WIP Box