One year ago, Jemar Tisby wrote, There are Children Here: Christians and Public Education. In this article, Jemar details his experience as a teacher and principal as a Christian in the public school sector. He also argues against the apathy and, often, the disdain that some Christians feel towards the public school system.
Jemar was recently interviewed by the Christian Research Journal, and you can find the interview by clicking here.
Here are quotes from There are Children Here: Christians and Public Education:
- [inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”@jemartisby” suffix=””]Teachers and administrators are not, and cannot be the Messiah. God already sent him. But the Lord sends Christians as well.[/inlinetweet] He sends them to the places with the most severe want and where people are the most marginalized.Children, including those in public schools, are some of society’s most vulnerable constituents. There is a need for believers there.
- [inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”@jemartisby” suffix=””]Serving in public schools can be a singularly effective way to demonstrate God’s grace and mercy.[/inlinetweet] Kids, and not just poor black and brown ones, need so much. Whether it’s volunteering to read to a 3rd grader, hiring a high school student as an intern at your company, or running for the local school board, every believer can contribute to the health of public schools.
- I have had the honor of working with countless Christians in public education, from teachers, to bus drivers, to accountants, to custodians, to coaches. Christians have always been involved in public education, and continue to be involved today. But there is room for more. [inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”@jemartisby” suffix=””]I hope believers will ask themselves whether their personal opposition to public education has caused them to ignore or reject opportunities to minister in that setting.[/inlinetweet]