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For all practical purposes, it was an ordinary day in the life of a Grade 7 teacher. My classroom was full of 30 French Immersion students, all eagerly working to do their best. Then I heard the page: "Mr. Chaffart, you have a phone call in the office."
Puzzled, I found a teacher who would keep an eye on my class, and I hurried to the phone. It was someone from the board office asking me if I would be willing to take an extra 30 students in my class for the next few days!
Wait. What? That would mean 60 students in my classroom...
Apparently this was a class of Grade 7 students from France who were in Canada for a school trip. They had stopped briefly in the Niagara region to see the famous Niagara Falls, and were supposed to continue on to Ottawa, our nation's capital city, where the students would join a Canadian classroom there for a few days. Unfortunately, it was February, and as so often happens that time of year in Canada, Ottawa was in the thralls of a winter storm. It wasn't safe for these students to travel by bus, and the school board wanted to know if I would be willing to take them instead.
Hey, why not? I knew God would help me through. Besides, what a great opportunity for my students to practice their developing Frenching skills!
There were two teachers travelling with the students from France, but after introducing themselves and their class to my students, they went sightseeing, leaving me on my own. It would be a challenge, but God put it in my mind to simply teach as I always had. He helped me to realize that nothing had changed, I simply had a bigger "audience".
In all, it was a wonderful time. Everyone had fun as they worked hard and learned well. My own students made friends with their counterparts from France, and many continued to correspond with these students for years to come.
I am often saddened when I hear teachers complain about class size. I realize that often they don't know their Heavenly Father who gives wisdom and direction to everyone who asks in all situations. As a result, they miss out on a very unique and special experience with God.
All of you out there who are teachers, remember to have fun with your students. They will learn much better and will be a lot more motivated when you do. But mostly, remember: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Prov. 3:3-6 KJV). When you do, you will also have a unique and exciting experience with God! Especially when you find that your class size has just ... doubled!
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
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