TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: Honoring a Legacy of Teaching, Faith, and Impact

“Being an educator is the hardest job you will ever love.”

“Education has been my life, my calling. I wanted to be used by God, however that looked.”

“I want teachers to stay in education.  I want them to feel and experience the joy of teaching like I did.”

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There is something powerful about hearing the wisdom of a life-long educator in her own words—unfiltered, honest, and deeply rooted in decades of experience in the classroom. The three statements above capture not only the weight and wonder of teaching but also the quiet continuation of a calling that doesn’t end at retirement.

As Teacher Appreciation Week approaches, I thought one meaningful way to honor educators would be to spotlight those whose influence didn’t stop when they left the classroom. Instead, they have found ways to impact others in new and unexpected ways.  This conversation is a reminder that God is still using retired educators to pour into the next generation of teachers by shaping hearts, strengthening calling, and reminding us all that teaching is not just a profession. Education is a lifelong ministry.

If you are currently in the classroom or serving in administration, please don’t rush past this story. Woven throughout this interview are reminders, encouragement, and renewed perspective for the very season you are living right now.

Let me introduce you to Jane Johnson. After 43 years in education, Jane’s calling to serve has not ended; it has simply taken on a new shape. As you read her story, I want you to feel something more than inspiration from her journey. I want you to feel seen and appreciated in your own trek. Whether you are working in education right now or reflecting on years already given, the same God who has faithfully worked through Jane’s life is also at work in yours. Take a few moments to honor Jane’s story, and let it serve as a reminder that your work matters, your sacrifice does not go unnoticed, and your calling in education carries eternal significance.

Jackie: Tell us a little about yourself, including your current involvement in education.

Jane:  I started teaching right out of college.  I spent 9 years in Christian schools before taking 4 years off to stay home with my children. Although I loved being a stay-at-home mom, I also missed teaching, and honestly, we needed the paycheck. I spent the next 19 years as a public-school teacher in Metro Nashville and finished my career in administration.  I retired after 34 years.

Jackie:  I know it has been 9 years since you retired, and I know you are still working in the field of education. Why did you choose to stay involved, and what has that looked like?

Jane:  Well, right after I retired, I took 6 months off. My brain needed a rest, and I had to find myself again. After that 6-month time period, I started to do some volunteering in a friend’s classroom.  I just wanted to serve. Retirement gave me an opportunity to try new things and give back to the field I loved so much.

I still felt like I could do more, so I pursued working with universities in their pre-service programs. I took on the role of university professor, supervisor, and/or mentor. I actually worked with three different universities until I settled in at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. I have worked exclusively with them for the past 5 years, and believe it or not, I have signed on for another year!

Honestly, I love being on this side of education.  I enjoy working with upcoming teachers one-on-one.  I get to tell them the truth, mentor them, and even learn from them. It has been a way to use my years of experience to pour into the next generation of educators.

Jackie:  So far you have shared about your experience in the academic arena, but I understand you recently had an opportunity to be involved in spiritual mentorship with a young Christian educator. Tell us about that.

Jane:  One of my friends shared your book with me (Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display). After looking at it, I felt strongly that I needed to lead a group of teachers at my church through the book. That was my idea, but God had another plan.

Without going into all the details, I ended up being connected with a young lady in her second year of teaching.  She had been praying that God would send her someone to connect with and develop in her the fruit of the Spirit. She told me, “I am a beginning teacher, and I need help.” It was obvious to me that this was a divine appointment!  It doesn’t get much clearer than that!

We spent September – March working through the book.  Since she was teaching full time and finishing her masters, we only met every other week. This allowed her time to read a chapter and make application through some of the homework activities.  It also gave me time to prepare and go deep into the content myself. We usually spent 45 minutes talking through the content, and then we would often stay 30 minutes or so talking school so I could help her with anything and everything she needed.  I feel like this relationship was just meant to be.

Jackie: What stood out to you the most as you read the book?

Jane: That’s a loaded question!  There was so much. If I had to pick one thing, I guess it would be what we always came back to. We must stay connected to the vine.  We talked about that a lot. Apart from an ongoing relationship with Jesus, we can’t display the fruit of the Spirit like we should.  It just isn’t possible. I felt like the book was so practical.  Not only did it give good examples, but it helped her and me be more purposeful and focused on what the fruit of the Spirit really looks like in our day-to-day lives. Most importantly, like you said in the book, displaying fruit is a delight, not a duty!  I think that statement was in the Joy chapter.

Jackie:   What were some of the highlights for you during your time together?

Jane: I felt she was really encouraged. She has a co-worker who is a Christian, so she plans to give her the book so the two of them can put things into practice together.  She got practical ideas from the book, but more importantly, she saw how important it was to be purposeful and to look for opportunities to display Biblical love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.

At one point, I gave her a faithfulness jar.  I put Scriptures and quotes for the month in it.  She could pick one each day for encouragement.  That meant so much to her.  A student asked her what it was, and she felt confident in sharing! It really helped her stay focused and encouraged through many exhausting weeks.

Jackie: You said the book was an encouragement for the teacher you worked with, but what impact (if any) did it have on you? 

Jane: I had to stay on my toes!  Being a Christian all my life, I felt like I knew the content, but reading it and preparing for our meetings made me go deeper. Not only did I learn new things (I loved the references to the Greek meanings), but I also found myself making constant application in my own life.  It seemed like no matter what chapter I was reading, the Lord put me in situations where I needed exactly what I was learning at the time. 

For example, while reading the Kindness chapter, I had to deal with a difficult interaction that required kindness despite my desire to respond differently.  When I was reading the chapter on Self-control, I was struggling to deal with some issues surrounding my father’s illness, and boy did I need self-control. It was like God knew exactly what I was grappling with and spoke to me through the words of your book. I’m not even in the classroom now, but that didn’t seem to matter.  I found the content of the book to be applicable no matter what role or circumstances we find ourselves in.

Jackie: As a life-long educator, what would you tell educators teachers trying to live out their faith in our schools today?

Jane: As a Christian educator, remember that you are taking Jesus to school. In the middle of any situation, stay connected to the vine. That connection is what enables you to live out the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You are not doing this in your own strength; you are empowered by the Holy Spirit who equips you for every moment of your day.

We all struggle, but we must keep in mind that we have Jesus with us all the time. We don’t have to live in worry or fear. We can walk in confidence, knowing we are empowered to put the fruit of the Spirit on display. None of us ever really “arrive.” We are always growing, always learning how to love better and reflect Him more fully. That’s the beauty of it. You can always get better at showing love, and there is nothing to fear in the process.

Jackie: What do you hope other educators take away from your story?

Jane: What I hope other teachers take away from my story is that this is not just for teachers in Christian settings. This is for anyone in education who wants to approach their work with the right mindset. There is real encouragement here, especially for believers. Teachers today are looking for help on how to be successful spiritually in environments that are not always faith-centered, and this is practical information rooted in the Word of God.

Every Christian teacher can find something in this book to help them with what they face every day. When you are walking in the fruit of the Spirit and taking Jesus to school with you, it becomes something you continually come back to—reading it, meditating on the truths, and praying through what God places on your heart. As you do, the Lord helps you stay more positive and focused on what really matters.

At its core, teaching is a ministry first and foremost. We are Christians alongside being teachers. We don’t leave Jesus outside the school building. He goes with us, and He shapes how we see, respond, and serve each day.

Final Thoughts

What stands out most after hearing Jane’s story is how many educators like her are still quietly shaping other’s lives with faithfulness, wisdom, and a deep commitment to serve. There are so many educators, both in the classroom right now and those who have stepped out of it, who are living out their calling. Their influence ripples through students, colleagues, and the next generation of educators in ways they may never fully see.

From the beginning, my heart in writing Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display has been simple: to draw educators closer to Jesus in the midst of their everyday calling. Doing so enables others to see Him more clearly. When the fruit of the Spirit is lived out in schools and classrooms, it becomes a visible testimony of Christ at work in and through them.

Jane’s story is a beautiful reminder that this is not a solitary journey. It is a shared calling, lived out in dependence on Christ and in community with others. That is exactly why Victorious Educator Ministries exists. We want to encourage and equip educators as to live out their faith in real and often challenging environments.

If this message resonates with you, I invite you to explore the resources available on our website and stay connected with us there. If you’re looking for encouragement and a little fun along the way, join our Facebook community during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4–8. We will be hosting daily encouragement and giveaways designed just for educators like you.

Never forget. Your work matters. Your calling matters. You are not doing this alone.

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

·       Check out our new book, Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display.

·       Join our Facebook group for community, prayer, and support.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23