As the 2021-2022 school year approaches, Julie Daniel Davis offers a prayer for the k-12 educator.

I pray you find the patience for the children that challenge you. May you be able to see their unique gifts and find the blessing in each student in your care.  

I pray you will be committed to the tasks at hand and have the courage to be an advocate for all students, pushing them to do their best.  I pray you have wisdom in teaching each child so that they will grow to be the person God designed them to be. There were not placed in your care by chance. How will you use this year to help mold them into a purposeful person. How will you spark the love of learning in each child? May you have glimpses of achievement and joy in each student’s learning to give you endurance for the school year. 

I pray that you will know exactly why each child is in your classroom and be able to use your gifts to help them. I pray you will show grace and mercy when it’s needed and tough love when it’s required.  

I pray that you will not only be the giver of knowledge but a safe spot of nurturing and care that is consistent in the lives of your students.  I pray your classroom will be a sanctuary for your students. Whether it’s too hot, too cold, too loud, or too crowded- May it always be a place of comfort and acceptance.  

I pray that you will innovate- whether it be with technology or not, I pray you will be passionate about meeting the needs of your students and doing all you can to meet those needs.  I pray that you will find your work/home balance quickly this school year… knowing you are more than a teacher and you have a personal life that needs care as well.  I pray you won’t feel you are defined by the test scores of your students. 

I pray your administration and district leaders see you for all the things that are part of teaching. I also pray that your data supports the fact that you are a well-equipped teacher.  

I pray you learn with your students and from your students in order to model lifelong learning. I pray you aren’t afraid to say “I don’t know” and “let’s learn it together."

I pray your vanity will not prevent you from being approachable.  I pray you and your coworkers build each other up and share the load. I pray that you find yourself within a group that doesn’t linger in negativity about their job but truly enjoys the community they are a part of. I pray for transparency in school meetings so that you can truly discern the message. I pray you will be the glass half full in the meetings. And if you find yourself steeped in overwhelmedness and unhappiness, I pray someone will come alongside you, to mentor you and to help you with your burden so that you feel you can accomplish your role for this year.  

I pray you see that “aha” moment in a child every single day. The moment where you have led them to the learning and it clicked. I pray you never get tired or bored of those moments.  

I pray for the safety and health of you and your students this year so that you can focus on the task of schooling and nurturing.  I pray that you will give every day your best shot. And when a lesson fails or you aren’t on your A-game I pray you learn from it, correct, and grow forward for your students but also for yourself.  

I pray that on the days you feel tired, sick, or discouraged you will remember why you chose this important profession and gird yourself up in that knowledge. 

I pray that you have good relationships with the parents of your students, that you can work side by side to help their children flourish in your classroom.  

I pray that you find yourself making a difference in the lives of the students you teach. I pray you find fulfillment in your role and purpose in your teaching. I pray that this school year is one that will bless your socks off.