It’s been said that if you choose a job you love, you will never have to work a day in your life. I feel so blessed that at least on most days I don’t feel like I go to work as an upper school History teacher. From my perspective, being a part of the Trinity community is such a privilege. It’s where I’ve fallen in love with teaching as a career, but more importantly for me it was the place where I fell in love with my wife who is one of the 6th grade teachers here.
But aside from my personal affinity for Trinity, the school really is a different and unique place. Academically the students coming up from the Elementary are highly equipped to master the skills and explore the new concepts they are exposed to in the upper school. Our high school students are wrestling with high level math and science, as well as reading primary texts in Literature and History from the Great Tradition ideas that have shaped our world and our own social consciousness.
But just as important is the spiritual development of our students. We don’t assume that all our students are Christians, but we do unapologetically teach from an assumption in the truth of God’s Word and its application in our lives. Spiritual development works more like osmosis than installing a washing machine. There’s a variety of ways this happens.
First, intellectually through teaching dedicated courses in Systematic Theology and Apologetics and chapel once a week. And as teachers from every discipline we are always integrating and referring to theological categories and making connections.
Second, we encourage spiritual development socially through our house system. This gets younger students, who want older more mature students to imitate and look up to, to rub shoulders with each other.
And Third, Spiritual osmosis occurs through exposure and immersion in Beauty-- through music, paintings, poetry, and narrative. We all end up believing what we find beautiful, and our students are being shaped by the beauty of the Gospel found in the Scriptures and all throughout the arts.
So what does this look like for my daily classes? Well, often it will involve singing, prayer, analysis of a painting, discussion of ideologies, comparing and contrasting what we find in history to a Christian Worldview. Our classes are more like friends gathering around the kitchen table after dinner, discussing fascinating people and stories. Trinity is not an “industrial education factory” churning out little workers for the economy. Yes, our students will leave being capable and competent to compete in the workforce, but we are preparing them for so much more-- to live lives of quality, reflection, and vision grounded in the person of Christ.
Trinity’s upper school is a vibrant place to live, think, and work. I have tremendous respect and admiration for my colleagues who are motivated by their passion for the content they teach and their love for their students. And I’m continually impressed by the intellectual hunger and curiosity of our students. It’s an atmosphere that’s been intentionally shaped by dozens of dedicated administrators and teachers over the years. And it’s such a joy for me each day to be a part of such a community being guided by the Holy Spirit and participating in this small corner of the Kingdom of God.
Mr. Moore
Secondary History Teacher
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Hebrews 10:23-24