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2110 Students…and Counting. The Lasting Impact of a Faithful Educator


It’s not uncommon for educators to analyze the impact we truly have had in our classrooms. Years and years of preparing lessons, grading papers, covering after-school activities, coaching, and performing numerous other activities required of an educator add up in our lives. We are often forced to ponder throughout our careers whether we would enter education again if we could go back in time. 


Over the past year I have been at home, trying to understand the value of retirement. Like so many, I was ready to spend time at home, travel with my wife, and complete those chores I had been putting off for so many years. That all seemed fine, but I wanted more. I wanted to be in a place where I could make a difference. I even signed up to substitute teach at one of our local schools. I quickly realized that would not be enough and accepted a position to return this fall as an administrator in a small town in northern Kansas.


Of course, I debated whether I was making the right decision. Was this just a moment of remembering the good in those memories? Then, in May I attended a special high school graduation. This was a group of students born during my first and second years as a principal. Nine of the graduates were children of staff members who worked for me at the time. I was blessed to watch these young people grow, enter school, and then graduate. The excitement I felt for their futures was overwhelming. (Don’t tell anyone, but I did cry.)


So, I sat down the other day and tried to count how many students have crossed my path over my thirty-three years in education. Each time I counted, I came up with a slightly different number. I finally settled on 2110. Over the years I have had over 2,000 children cross my path, some entering my classroom as a teacher and most during my time as an elementary school principal. What greater impact can we have in Christ than to use our lives to love others as Christ loved us? 


There are so many students who have passed through my life that I will never see again, but the chance to live my life serving Him and being His hands and feet has been exhilarating. I have wanted each of them to have a better chance in life after they left my influence than they would have had before meeting me.


I want to call on each of you to reflect on your journey as educators. Think of your own 2110 students. This number may be higher or lower for you, but what matters most is the impact you have had on others as you have followed Christ. Serve each child as though you were serving the Lord. His calling on your life is why most of you entered education. Pray constantly, knowing that an interaction with your students could be a memory they hold for a lifetime. As Scripture reminds us, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).


I added a picture I took after that high school graduation in May in front of the school where I began my principalship in 2007. I plan to keep it close to remind me of the impact I can have on others' lives as they pass through my influence as an educator. As I return to education, my focus is to do everything possible to help others achieve more after meeting with them than they would have achieved apart from my influence.


I challenge each of you to continue serving Him as you live out your lives as educators. Whether you are in your first year in a school or have been in education in some capacity for years, lean on Him for wisdom and encouragement. He will not let you down.


As I reflected on my career, I realized that while numbers never tell the whole story, they can remind us of God's faithfulness. Here are a few milestones for which I am especially grateful.


  • Approximately 2,110 students crossed my path as a teacher and principal.

  • I had the privilege of helping 26 paraprofessionals or aides become teachers.

  • I encouraged six teachers to become school administrators.


Perhaps one day you'll look back and count your own 2,110, not to measure success but to remember God's faithfulness through every student and every opportunity He entrusted to you.

 If you want support on your journey, access our free resources at www.victoriouseducator.com.


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