A devotion written for a bunch of educators in the month of August is just begging to talk about the idea of “new.” “New Beginnings.” “Behold, I am doing a new thing…” “A blank page!” “A fresh start!” Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Sorry to disappoint, but this devotion will not cover any of those ideas. Rather, as the summer passes and the school year begins, one could consider this a time of transition. And almost everyone can attest to the fact that making a “smooth” tra

“Abide in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 As another school year comes to an end, teachers often carry a mixture of emotions- relief, exhaustion, gratitude, disappointment, joy, and uncertainty. Some students soared this year. Others struggled. Some lessons landed beautifully. Others felt like they disappeared into the air before they ever reached a chil

I recently shared with our staff a word that has been coming to my mind often lately to describe us at St. Paul’s: gritty. I’ve spent some time reflecting on what that really means and how it relates to our work. When you describe a person or an organization as “gritty,” you’re talking about toughness and determination, especially in the face of challenges. Gritty people don’t give up easily. They push through discomfort, setbacks, and failure. They have resilience and mental

By the time April arrives, many teachers feel like they are limping across the finish line. March in the classroom can feel a little like survival mode: lessons to finish, restless students, and the growing sense that summer is just around the corner. At my school we often call it “March Madness,” and we are not talking about basketball. For whatever reason, March always seems to be INSANE. Maybe it’s the lead-up to Easter. Maybe it’s thinking about all the curriculum you s

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:1-4 This past Sunday, I taught the lesson of Martha and