ART THAT UPLIFTS THE COMMUNITY
March was National Youth Art Month! Thus SGA students decided to use their artistic talents to give back to the community. Students at both campuses created handmade cards filled with motivational scriptures, affirmations, and quotes.
Afterwards, students hand-delivered their cards to two senior centers, Spring Garden Senior Center and Mercy Neighborhoods Community Center. Additionally, cards were also delivered to patients at Temple Hospital.
Of course, this was all made possible through the help of our office staff, after school teachers as well as coordinators within local community centers.
TELL PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS
Psalm 96:3 says, “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
In March, our students learned the importance of spreading the gospel. Several missionaries visited our school to tell our students about their work around the world. During these visits our students learned that anyone can be a missionary by simply telling people about Jesus.
Then— within a two week time-period—our students raised close to $400 dollars to donate towards our national children’s missions giving project, BGMC. The funds will buy printed materials for children as well as church plants around the world.
APRIL 11 th – APRIL 15th WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD
An annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and families.
THE WONDERS OF TEACHING
Being an educator can be a rewarding yet difficult profession. One’s days are filled with smiles and laughs, but sometimes difficulties and frustrations arise. Mr. Tom Strube, SGA’s lead kindergarten teacher, recently took a moment to reflect on how he came to love teaching and the wonders that his years in the classroom have brought into his life.
Initially, Mr. Tom’s desire to work with children was inspired by his high school math teacher, who oddly went by a similar name (Tom Struble).
Mr. Tom speaks on his teaching experience, “I think one of the most rewarding things about teaching is seeing the transformation in students’ lives. I mean ultimately I know that it is God that’s steering them through the course of their lives, but to be a part of that is incredible.”
Every day, Mr. Tom works to mold his kindergarteners into thinking, caring, helpful individuals. Mr. Tom’s joy is visible through his work. He is one of the first staff members to arrive and his energy spreads throughout our school. In his class everyone is a scientist, an artist, an explorer, an inventor, a musician, and most of all a friend.
Even on the challenging days, he still maintains a positive attitude. “One of the most challenging things about teaching is laying down your pride to become more understanding of the children. Also, speaking the truth to the students in love can be hard. I find myself on certain days still having to vocalize that though I am upset or hurt by their behavior, I still love them unconditionally.”
Ultimately, he knows that filling his classroom with the love and forgiveness of Jesus is the best way to build a safe and productive learning environment.