On preparation

So I’m taking this class where we spend a significant portion of our time discussing why people buy the things they buy.  The point has been driven home again and again, that marketers (and politicians, and...pretty much anyone who wants your money) spend all sorts of time and money creating a certain, desirable image.  An image that if you buy into it, you can be apart of it.  If you buy their shirt, everyone will know that you belong with that culture, or those people…

It’s not like it is a new idea.  And think about it, even BYU has an honor code, or the MTC has the dress and grooming standard, etc. because there is a certain image to project.  We go to BYU, or work at the MTC because we choose to associate ourselves with that culture.

The dangerous thing happens when we let other people decide who we should be.  We can’t get so complacent that our behavior, or progress even, is determined by the standards set by those around us.  We must receive our identity and errand from the Lord.

I will now defer to a wiser man than I.  Take it away Elder David B. Haight:

“Do others set your standards—what you will wear and what you will do—and not do?...The brand of clothes and the shoes you wear, and the gadgetry, probably not affordable by your parents, has absolutely no bearing on what you will eventually become. Our actions, our personal behavior, and our attitude determine our character and future...

Your preparation should include your personal conversion to the gospel truths of this work—knowing who the Savior is and who you are, and why He loved you enough to make the atoning sacrifice for you.

Sounds difficult? I promise you that you can know, but only if you desire, with humble prayer and careful study of the scriptures. The Lord taught, “Search the scriptures … which testify of me” and “ponder upon the things which I have said.” (John 5:39; 3 Ne. 17:3.)”    (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1991/10/a-time-for-preparation)

Even at the MTC. Do we copy behaviors of teachers around us (or our own teachers from 2-3 long years ago) because “that’s the way it’s done” or because we consciously choose to, and understand why?  Do we let others set the standard for our progression or do we ask the Lord?  

Are we waiting for Lisanne to prod us to revelation about the culture our area needs to gain, or are we preparing by going to the temple, reading our scriptures, praying, etc. for the purpose of finding out from Heavenly Father what the area culture should be, and our individual role in it?

If we prepare adequately, then we will be ready to receive what the Lord has for us.  And that’s exciting stuff.

Anyway, these are some thoughts I've been having lately and though I'd share.

To all New Teachers: There is Help!

Here's an email that I sent to all the new teachers in our zone. It may be helpful for any new teachers that would like to read it. 

Let me tell you a story. 

I almost got fired from the MTC. 

I was hired in November of last year, and by January I was in the classroom as a lead teacher. As you know, it was really fun but I was a little terrified and overwhelmed at times. Along with my work at the MTC I was going through my first full semester of school since my mission and together the combination was a lot to handle. When I started in November, my expectation was to grow as a teacher and learn the fundamentals better than I ever had before. By February my expectation had changed. I wanted to survive. I arrived to work just on time, taught my class, and left. I appreciated training meetings but other than that I didn't think often about my teaching in the MTC. It was my job. 

Lisanne pulled me into her office when I hit my three month mark. I don't know how much of the apprenticeship I had done, but I would guess that I had probably finished 25%, and I had only had Lisanne into my classroom once. We reviewed this together, and then Lisanne told me that if things didn't change, and if I didn't finish the apprenticeship,  then I would be fired. I needed to finish 75% in four weeks or else I would be gone. This is how I managed to almost get fired from the MTC. 

Next story.

This is why I didn't end up getting fired from the MTC.

Obviously after this convo with Lisanne I was terrified so I got onto the Google doc and started signing up and figuring out how I could get everything done. (Spoiler alert) I ended up finishing the apprenticeship after working 24 hours a week during the last month of school and almost died (I'm not asking for your sympathy, I'm saying don't be an idiot and put yourself in that situation). Though that was helpful and required, it was not the reason that I didn't end up getting fired from the MTC.

The reason that I didn't get fired was that with a month left I caught the vision of what I wanted to do as a MTC teacher and I took every resource possible to try to get there. This was a three part process that luckily happened quickly for me. First, I had to understand what I wanted to be. Second, I had to understand that I wasn't there yet. Third, I had to understand that it was going to take me FOREVER to get where I wanted to be on my own, and I needed help. All semester I had been thinking about my teaching. All semester I had been trying to improve. However, only with one month left did I realize that I needed the help of the Lord, Lisanne, Krys Gardner, and my zone coordinator Shane to get me where I needed to be. Suddenly I was motivated to be observed whenever possible. I loooooved watching Shane or Krys or Lisanne teach. I studied outside of the MTC and set personal goals for improvement every week. Finishing the apprenticeship became easy when I sincerely and almost aggressively wanted the feedback and help of those assigned to help me. 

I sat down with Lisanne after four months and I didn't lose the job. I'm not telling you this so you see my as a shining example because I wasn't. My attitude at four months was the expectation all along. I didn't realize the joy in the journey until my last four weeks. I should have had that desire and sincerity and fire from the beginning. I should have realized that I couldn't get where I needed to be on my own. 

I'm sending this to every new teacher in our zone. Some are being more proactive than others. I just hope that if any of you feel like you may be remotely close to where I was at, that you try to catch the vision for where you want to be, and then you reach out to all those that want to help you on a daily basis. I love being a teacher at the MTC. I always have new questions and ideas. I find myself studying them even when I'm not getting paid. We are not just in missionary work, but we are in the work of education, of human development, of communication, of leadership, and of changing lives. We're in the Lord's work. It's pretty big. That'll keep you busy right?

Anyway, I'm really grateful for all of you and I just want you to know how much help is available to you, and its given from the Lord who loves you. Have a great week!

-Sean