Divine Purposefulness

Oy! What a full weekend! This weekend I finished the remainder of my Core Curriculum Training and now I can officially teach Baha'i school. I cannot articulate how enriched and empowered I feel by this entire experience. At the close of the first two modules, through exploration of the Baha'i writings, I understood the station of teachers and the importance of establishing a sound spiritual foundation for children. I also understood the process of spiritual growth attending to capacity, capability and interest. However, I must admit I felt totally inept as a teacher! Being a new Baha'i, I thought, surely my students will figure out that I know absolutely nothing!

Saturday, we studied Module 3 which was focused on teaching with the Core Curriculum materials and it thoroughly outlined the Core Curriculum for grades Pre-K to 12. I am completely blown away at the breadth and depth of this curriculum. It covers everything from the Principles of Oneness, to the Central Figures of the Baha'i Faith to the World Order of Baha'u'llah. There are copious books, lessons plans and there seems to be strong network of support.

Today was the the fourth and final module and we studied the Child-Development Centered Community. There is an African proverb that "It takes a village to raise a child" and that was very much the theme of our lesson today. The betterment of the world will be the responsibility of today's children. Why not empower them with a sense of purpose, importance and value? It was so beautiful to be in deep discussion about how children, not at all just Baha'i children, will have to work in perfect synergy to bring peace to the world. So often I get discouraged when I look at the apathy and indifference of today's youth. After today, I feel personally charged with mobilizing today's youth and the mobilization will come through spiritual education.

The weekend was long and intense, but I don't feel tired. Quite the contrary my spirit has been refreshed, renewed and I'm ready for God's use. My classmates were all so beautiful - African, Caucausian, Persian, Indian, African-American, Hispanic... all on one accord. All striving towards a better world than the one awoke in this morning. All understanding that children will be the vessel for this change. My circle of friends has certainly expanded. The training was so dynamic - music, dance, drama, imagination, journaling, consultation, reflection, practice, studying, becoming intimate with the Baha'i writings... I feel as though I was given every resource for success, not only in teaching but in being a better person with an unwaivering purpose.

How many a child, though young in years, is yet mature and sound in judgement! How many an aged person is ignorant and confused! For growth and development depend on one's powers of intellect and reason, not on one's age or legnth of days. - Abdu'l-Baha