In the beginning of a school semester, one only needs to witness the many emotions children express as they take on the adventurous challenges of a new grade, new teachers, new classmates and new lessons.
Expressions of awe and wonder, excitement, anticipation and even fear plays one part in the developmental stages of these young and eager minds.
Added to these expressions on this side of the scale, and rooted in the DNA of every child's life are seeds of greatness wrapped in the form of gifts, talents and abilities waiting for the opportunity to be unlocked, discovered, explored and celebrated.
On the other side of the scale awaits the education, an environment designed and purposed to bring about the balance needed to match every expression of wonder and every potential in every young life. Balance, as described in Webster's Dictionary, is a harmonious arrangement of parts or elements, as in a design.
The environment or design is not simply found in a classroom setting with all the accoutrements one would find, such as books, art supplies and a play area. It is found in the teacher. Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
To "let" is to allow, and God has set the standard for education with that one statement." Let the children come with all their excitement and fears and gifts and talents and let them come to Me. Jesus, the Master Teacher, is Love, Peace, Patience and Kindness...all of the elements needed to help set the atmosphere for learning.
Understanding that balance is the key to life, is to understand that what brings the balance between an excited and ready student and the design of a classroom is a loving teacher.
One only has to witness the vision and goal of CCC's Brooklyn Prep School and know that there is love here, there is excitement here, there is balance here.
Let the children come.
A.R. Bernard
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