Echo Spring 2023 - 33

I am encouraged by the knowledge that these enthusiastic young
educators are equipped with the same transformational tool that
made Linda Cliatt-Wayman an effective leader and educator in
North Philadelphia: love. Luke 6:35 tells us: " But love your enemies,
and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your
reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for
he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil " (ESV).
Not that students in a school are enemies of the teacher or
administrator, but let's face it, there are challenges in today's
schools that make loving come a bit less naturally. There is no
doubt that an effective teacher needs a strong command of the
content, a thorough knowledge of effective pedagogical practices
and a well-organized lesson-planning system. However, all of
that may be for naught without an unwavering love for students,
even the most difficult to love among them. We can teach
content, pedagogy and lesson
planning, but loving like Jesus has to come from the heart, and
that is what will make all the difference.
As I consider the impact that Mrs. Wayman had on the school
community at Strawberry Mansion, I have to wonder, how did
she do it? How can any of us do it? How did she love those
students, ALL of those students, even the ones who seemed
unlovable? The answer to this question emerges from a theme
that is woven throughout her story: she saw, acknowledged
and celebrated the potential in every student. She valued every
student, despite their flaws, their sins, their mess. She saw
something in them that was valuable, beautiful and worthwhile,
despite the outward ugliness that others couldn't see beyond.
Not only did she see it, but she helped them to see it as well.
So, how did she do it? She saw the image of God within the fallen
human being. Truly, each of those students was created in the
image of God, separated from God through sin and eligible for
redemption through Christ's work on the cross.
Last semester, in a discussion about the Nature of the Learner,
some of our freshman students illustrated this in a simple
drawing: a stick figure of a person, glowing in yellow marker,
but with grey scribble all around it. Their explanation made the
metaphor clear: the yellow marker, which seemed to glow,
represents the image of God within the person, in this case a
student. The grey scribble represents sin, which masks that
image. We don't always see God shining through a person:
sometimes we see only the mess, but He is still there.
What a powerful illustration! It's one that is so important to
remember when teachers encounter students who emulate
more scribble than glow. What if every teacher would make
a conscious choice to look past the scribble, no matter
how dark or dense, and see only the glow and treat them
accordingly?
God was clearly at work in the halls of Strawberry Mansion High
School. He used Linda Cliatt-Wayman to accomplish something
beautiful there. I believe He is also at work in each and every
school throughout Pennsylvania, across the country and around
the world. To that end, He has mobilized teachers who love Him,
equipped them with skills and knowledge and sent them out to
love the students that are entrusted to their care. He is mightier
than a flawed school system in a broken world, and His love will
conquer all.
ECHO 33
Echo Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2023
