As I mentioned a few weeks ago, our theme at Naples Christian Academy this year is Above & Beyond. I plan to continue exploring what that means for our students, our team, and our school community. How do we see that theme playing itself out in the context of the day? How do we want to see it come to fruition in the life of our school? How do we see God revealing Himself through His Word related to this theme -- i.e. what is man's responsibility in this life? I love asking these types of questions -- as committed Christians, they require specific answers of us. They require that we think creatively and with originality.
And, as a school leader, I love being a "noticer." I love telling stories of our students going beyond what's required or expected of them. I love seeing students live in light of eternity -- in relationships, excellence, and service -- all for the glory of God.
A Working Definition: Above & Beyond
What do I mean when I say that I love seeing NCA students "going above and beyond"?
First, I think about their attitudes and actions on the continuum of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. What motivated an NCA student to speak or act in a certain way? Were they motivated by an external reward or accolade? Examples of external rewards may include: grades, the praise of their teachers, positive affirmation from their peers, or an actual reward like a piece of candy or a homework pass. These types of external rewards often motivate students to perform, to study, to behave in a certain way, to push themselves in athletics or academics, etc.
When I think about Christ-centered intrinsic motivation, I think about the Holy Spirit as the source of motivation. Intrinsic motivation comes from the internal place -- the heart. I think about the satisfaction that comes from a job well-done. I think about actions and attitudes no one else will see. What do we pursue when no one else is looking? Are we willing to take actions and be obedient to Jesus Christ when we will not receive any kind of earthly success or material reward? I think about the ultimate praise from our Heavenly Father that comes from the unseen, future place: "Well done, good and faithful servant." Why do we pursue excellence? Why pursue Christ-centered relationships or service? Ultimately, I want our students' motivation to be from their internal desire to live in light of eternity.
"...we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
Realistically, most of our students act from a point on the above continuum. If they've come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, it's usually a mixture of both. They'd like to receive the external reward for their hard work: an A on a test. And, possibly to please their parents or teachers. They're also studying and seeking to perform out of a love for the Lord and a desire to please Him.
Above & beyond actions, though, typically stem from intrinsic motivation -- and inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Going beyond on an assignment, doing additional research, reading beyond instructional level, playing with a student outside of his or her grade level, memorizing the next verse in addition to the assigned ones, sitting with a new group at lunch, picking up another person's trash, offering to help a teacher thereby giving up recess time -- all of these actions typically stem from passion for the subject area or activity AND/OR internal inspiration. THIS is what I LOVE to notice. Last week, I saw an 8th grade boy call a 1st grade boy by name in the hallway and give him a high five. A few weeks ago, my colleague saw a 5th grade boy get up from eating with his friends to eat with a 4th grade boy who was eating alone. Last year, I heard about a girl who wrote and illustrated an ABC book for her teacher's three year old son as he was learning his letters in PreK. ALL examples of students going beyond what we require or expect as educators, and all actions pushing towards intrinsic motivation.
Teachers: Inspiring Above & Beyond
Day in and day out, it's our teachers at NCA who serve tirelessly to inspire above & beyond actions from -- and attitudes in -- our students. They pour out love, creativity, and care with passion and enthusiasm. Their inspirational leadership leads to the outcomes we desire as a school and as parents. This type of inspiration-inducing instruction doesn't necessarily involve extra time planning complicated or involved lessons. Rather, it requires teachers to stay connected to the Holy Spirit, pursue their own personal spiritual formation, pray continually, and study scripture daily. Only then are they ready and able to disciple students and inspire students' growth and development as an outpouring of their own walk with Christ.
I look forward to sharing more stories about students who go above & beyond at NCA -- and the teachers who cultivate this environment of inspiration.
