The power of a primary teacher

Truman really wanted me to take a picture of him standing on the rock outside our church building. He is shaking his musical instrument given to him by his primary teachers, the Lovelace family. Today I am so very grateful for wonderful primary teachers. Brother & Sister Lovelace are so sweet. They have 3 children under 3 and they were asked to teach Sunbeams. Bless them forever!

They are so nice about Truman and seem to appreciate his strengths. I love how positive they are. They are proactive with the kids, they sing, they seem to make the very best of their calling. I’m so thankful! I told his teachers how much Truman loves noise-makers. He had told them that he liked to drum (this really means hitting any type of stick on any other surface to listen to the different sounds). He LOVED this little rice shaker. I’m glad they went above and beyond and that it connected with little Tru!

My other children have had teachers who ‘bless their hearts’ weren’t as “into” their calling as a parent of a primary child would hope. Now, as a parent, I’m realizing what a great influence teachers can have. I have never had a calling as a primary teacher (only in the Primary presidency – and that’s very different). And honestly, I think it would be a hard calling. Hard to not have any down time decompressing in Relief Society! Not that church is social time, but it is nice to get to chat with other adults occasionally in the hall. Primary is also hard because you always have to be on your toes. Preparation helps so much!

Jimmy and I are substituting Max’s primary class for 3 weeks. Ummm yah… today I just threw the lesson together. Not my best effort. Preparation! So, I’ve decided that should I ever get called as a primary teacher I want to the be kind of primary teacher who cares, remembers names, birthdays, notices the shy, the quiet, loves the struggling.  One who sings the songs, teaches pure doctrine, uses the scriptures, bears testimony, helps the children recognize the Holy Ghost.  I have had friends who put their whole heart into helping their Primary class love the Gospel – from Sunbeams to CTR 9.  Great examples to me!

I was researching a few thoughts about the importance of primary teachers and came across these gems:

As families we say to each other, “Take my hand. Hold on tight. We will stay on the path together back to our Heavenly Father.”

As a Primary Teacher ask:
What do I love about my calling?
What is the purpose of Primary?
How can we help strengthen families?
How can we help children develop strong testimonies and draw nearer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

We want every child to know they are children of God and He loves them; that Heavenly Father has a plan, the plan of salvation, and it includes families; and that through our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can stay on the path back to Heavenly Father. {Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President – 2011 Primary Auxiliary Training Meeting}

“It is the small and simple things we do that often make the biggest difference.” I love this message shared about a young man who knew the Articles of Faith… had been taught and strengthened when he was young… and he was able to defend our Faith! Standing Strong PDF

“Many bishops in the Church are inspired to call the strongest people in the ward to serve individual children in the Primary. They realize that if the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescue as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime.” Henry B. Eyring – April 2010 (Help them on their Way)