One of the great needs in Christian education today is for parents and teachers to lead students to love the Lord with all of their hearts and with all of their minds, thereby fulfilling what is often referred to as the Great Commandment: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind . . .” Mark 12:30   

• Love your students, pray for each student by name, and demonstrate a genuine concern for each student. Invest and pour yourself into their lives for Christ
• Set high standards in which excellence abounds and is the norm. Model excellence spiritually, academically, and socially, then lead your students to do the same.           
• Know your students’ interests, strengths, weaknesses, and special opportunities. Know where they are regarding salvation, scholastics, and social development.     
• Treat students with dignity—be just and consistent in your discipline. They are truly the heritage of the Lord and have been created fearfully and wonderfully by Him. Teaching students is a sacred trust and a tremendous honor that Christ gives us.                     
• Know your subjects well and teach with relentless passion. Use colorful and helpful visual aids and effective traditional methods of teaching. Use sound, time-tested Christian textbooks and resources. Teach every subject from a biblical viewpoint.                                
• Start each subject with an exciting illustration or example, teach to the average student, and provide excellent conclusions that summarize the main points. Use humor when appropriate—let your students see you laugh and smile.  
• Be aware of your students’ actions while you are teaching. Are they engaged, listening, taking class notes, learning, thinking critically, etc.? Ask questions which require analysis, thought, and comprehension of the lesson—not just  “yes” or “no” questions.                             
•  Be available to students and parents after school. Keep parents well informed, and forge a strong and healthy bridge of communication with them. Be friendly, helpful, and approachable. When parents are involved, student learning increases exponentially.   
• Attend your students’ athletic or other special events. Most students will be thrilled to see their teacher attend one of their games. It will be well worth your time!  
• Visit your students’ homes and take by a small gift. It will mean a lot to the students and parents if the teacher will take the time to come by their homes. I know a teacher who gets grocery stores to donate pies each year and takes them by every student’s home each Thanksgiving or Christmas. Both parents and students alike greatly appreciate this act of kindness.  Students also love learning more from a teacher who cares.