“I thank my God every time I remember you.”
Philippians 1:3 NIV
As far back as I can remember, teachers have played a significant role in my life.
In second grade, Mrs. Barber invited me to an after-school poetry club, instilling a love of alliteration and rhyme in my eight-year-old soul. In fifth grade, Mrs. Ball could tell something was wrong when I normally got straight A’s but flunked a history test. She kept me in at recess and hugged me as the stress of my parent’s divorce leaked out in weighty tears.
In middle school, Mrs. Lunsford encouraged my imagination and said yes every time I proposed a new way of doing an assignment, like making up a song about the thirteen colonies. In high school, Mr. Allison modeled a true passion for literature and deep care for his students. He wrote in my yearbook that I could be the next Hemingway or Fitzgerald or whoever I wanted to be. And in graduate school, Dr. Bentz came alongside me on my journey as an aspiring author, generously sharing both knowledge and encouragement as I began my publishing journey.
Each of these teachers saw me. And I thank God for each one.
Now, as a mom of three kids, my gratitude for kind, enthusiastic, passionate, and skilled teachers has continued to grow. I’m grateful for Mrs. Halbert who saw my son’s reading challenges and provided the extra support we needed. I think of Mr. Vigil who celebrated my other son’s out-of-the-box thinking — making space for his wiggles and quirks instead of trying to stuff them in a hard chair. I’m thankful for Mrs. Cliffe who loved each student as if they were her own, and was intentional to call out the strengths in my other son — strengths I hadn’t yet seen.
Those are just a few highlights of my life in the classroom as both a student and parent. Highlights that don’t begin to acknowledge the long hours and endless creativity teachers pour out. Highlights that don’t speak to the lows of discipline issues and budget cuts, hard mornings and grueling afternoons and nights spent grading papers and planning lessons at the cost of time with their own families.
Teachers are amazing, imperfect, profoundly important people — who need our prayers.
Whether you send your kids to public school or private school, or you choose to educate them at home in an organized schoolroom or messy living room, make a commitment to pray for your child’s teacher…even if that’s you! And if you don’t have kids, your prayers are still needed! Think back to the teacher who made an impact on your life, or perhaps the kind of teacher you needed but never had. Join me in praying for them:
Dear God,
Thank you for teachers. Thank you for the individuals who spend their lives nurturing and investing in the next generation. As teachers’ days begin again to be marked by bell schedules and lesson plans, would you mark their hearts with love, patience, and enthusiasm for their students?
Bless each teacher with the ability to see the good — the best — in each child. Enable them to encourage and equip every student to reach their full potential. Help teachers inspire a love for learning and instill confidence in each child in their capacity to grow.
Prepare each teacher for the challenges they will face. Lord, empower them to be emotional counselors, conflict diffusers, hope givers, and prayer warriors.
As teachers pour themselves out each day over essays and equations, ABCs and 123s, pour Yourself into them. Give them an abundance of hope, courage, wisdom, and joy. Gift them with parents and helpers, colleagues and administrators who champion their efforts and encourage their calling.
As teachers go back to school, Lord, grant them lavish grace for the tasks at hand. Beyond district benchmarks or state standards, help our teachers to work diligently and love their students well as unto You.
Bless this school year and bless each person who wears the beautiful and noble badge of Teacher.
Amen.
by Becky Keife, as published in 2022.
We’re whispering ‘welcome’ to fall, and all things autumn are sneaking into our days as a chill sneaks into the evening air. This coffee cake is perfect to make for a hardworking teacher! Add a thank you card or note to let them know you appreciate them, and share this delicious treat with a deserving teacher to tell them that they make a difference and you’re praying for them.
Scroll down for the recipe (courtesy of our friend Nancy) and download a FREE printable recipe card!
Crumb Coffee Cake
Download the FREE recipe card here!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 25 minutes
Makes 10 servings.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 ½ cups baking mix
- 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ¾ cup milk
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 3 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 large egg
CRUMB TOPPING:
- 1/3 cup baking mix
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350 ̊F. Grease or line a 9” round pan with parchment paper; set aside.
- In small bowl, combine the ingredients for the Crumb Topping: baking mix, brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans. Then pour in the melted butter and mix everything with a fork until crumbly; set aside.
- In medium-size bowl, add the baking mix, cinnamon, milk, sour cream, sugar, and egg, mixing well.
- Pour batter into prepared baking pan and sprinkle evenly with the Crumb Topping.
- Bake at 350 ̊F for 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan completely.
OPTIONAL: To add a simple glaze on top, mix together ½ cup confectioners’ sugar and 1 to 1½ Tbsp. milk. Drizzle over the top of the cake after it has cooled and let set. Then slice and serve.
To enjoy a look similar to what Nancy created here, use the Constant Love Coffee Table Tray, the Grace & Gratitude Cream and Sugar Set, and Bless This Mess Paper Towel Holder. You’ll be ready for a lovely little brunch in no time! Find these brand new pieces and more in the full Mary & Martha collection — now available at DaySpring.com!
And we would love to know about a teacher who is important to you! Tell us in the comments about a teacher who impacted you!
Leave a Comment
As a “semi retired” teacher, I really appreciate your heartwarming, insightful tribute to our profession. The job responsibilities have only grown in recent years, yet educators continue to be called to the classroom to make a difference. My prayer is that there will continue to be those teachers in each child’s life who will always be remembered for truly seeing, supporting, and caring for each child who comes through their door.
Agreeing in that prayer with you!
(in)courage women, I am a woman of almost 77(next Saturday) so my child is married and I started out to become a teacher, but found in college, it just didn’t fit the way I thought it would, But my husband off 55 years was a teacher for 55 years and a superior one at that. He started as a History Teacher, but decided to get his Master’s in Remedial Reading. That was so very important back in the 70’s. His classrooms were of children of 3rd grade level who should have been at 7th grade level and he had 6 students in each class as he had to work with each one individually. He was so creative and did things that enticed the children to learn more. Example: First they worked on reading the book “Call of the Wild”. They loved that book and were very anxious to learn more about reading. Here was their prize at the end of reading that book. Jim would get the movie and show them that. They were all so excited and enjoyed that movie so much. This technique that Jim did he found that it should be continued and that is what he would do, but of course, different books and different movies. He truly was a wonderful teacher and the children loved him. Now, here comes a new administrator who decided that this class was not necessary. What a mistake she made as I am sure all of you know that reading is one of them most important things in our lives. Jim and I both cried when this was announced and I prayed for those children. He didn’t lose his job, but went back to teaching American History for the years before he retired. Sadly, my husband has now a very violent kind of dementia and came close to killing me so I had no choice but to divorce him for my own safety. There is so much more to my story, but it would take me and you hours to get through, but it is so nice that you did a devotion on Teachers. Thank you so much. Oh, by the way, that recipe looks so delicious I am drooling. I send to you all at the (in) community and all the teachers out there that could be struggling with what is going on in the world and even kids that are not nice. It can be a very scary place at times, but teachers are courageous and creative. Prayers and love I send your way. Oh, by the way, my only child is also a teacher of phys. ed so the beat goes on……………………….May you all have a wonderful and happy weekend………Betsy Basile
Betsy, what a wonderful impact your husband made in those young people’s lives. I’m so sorry dementia has stollen his kindness and upended your life. May God be near in every good and painful memory you process.
Thank you Becky for these wonderful memories. I had 2 teachers in high school who taught me things that instilled in me a special love for 2 subjects that are still with me to this day. Mrs. Green taught me English literature and Mrs. King taught me world history. I am 77 and still have a great fondness for these subjects. Both of them had traveled extensively and were able to teach from a point of personal experience. I remember them fondly and gratefully. Then there was my choir director, Mrs. Shawver who taught us discipline and a love of music. We scored the highest in every competition. I remember them all very fondly and thank God for them. Now I also remember Mr. Thompson who taught me Russian, which was very unusual as we were one of only 3 schools in Texas that taught it. I was and am very blessed to have had them in my education.
My son is a teacher, just beginning his fifth year. He was born to be an educator and leader and I am very grateful that he is following his calling. I am grateful that his own experiences of dealing with racism through out his school years did not discourage him from following God’s voice.
And i am grateful for my children’s second grade teacher Ms. Manna ; for supporting my daughter through many academic challenges and bringing her up to speed with her classmates and for educating me on how the system works so we could better help our son navigate his way through that system.
Lastly, I am grateful to my daughter’s HS physics teach, Dr. K. She gave my daughter the courage to challenge herself and to dream big!
Thank you for your post Becky!
I’ve had many teachers that have made an impact on me. Here is a few that come to mind: in first grade when I had my very first surgery, Ms. Hoover had all the kids in my class make Get well soon cards. I think I may even still have them in my memory box.
Also, my 5th grade teachers when I had my 2nd surgery, I had to do homebound school for a little bit while recovering and they both (started switching classes in 5th grade, one for math and one for science and everything else) volunteered to come to my house and meet with me and help me with my school work. It helped to make me still feel a part of the class.
Becky – This crumb cake looks divine. Better yet, I love the prayer for teachers so I shared your devotion x 2.
Sending you fall JOY,
Lisa Wilt
The cake looks wonderful!
What is the baking mix?
GG
RE the Coffee Cake for teachers, in the recipe download, what does the ‘baking mix’ consist of, as far as ingredients? – or is this a purchasable (premade) item available in the grocery store??