I am so thrilled to highlight Teacher Talk Ministry and to share with you what God has done and is doing within this group of educators. The first thing you should know is that Libbey and I are both teachers and the second thing is that we are also two of the eight proud founders of TTM.
Teacher Talk Ministry is a Facebook group that was founded in 2018 by a group of Christian educators who saw a need within their community to provide support and encouragement to those who encounter the daily challenges within the teaching profession. The founders of TTM had the heart to design and develop an online platform that could provide daily blurbs and resources for those who join the group. From sharing some of their favorite resources, technology tips, insightful devotionals even to a podcast platform; TTM has built a community of 700 educators all across the United States and only by the grace of God.
Teacher Talk Ministry knows first hand that there is power in fellowship. If you're reading this and you're a teacher, you know how heavy and exhausting it can be. A lot of elements within a building, especially during a pandemic, can trigger unhealthy thoughts and emotions. Teachers can become the source of gossip, we can be short-tempered, we can be unwilling to sacrifice and change because we are already comfortable, and we can even lack compassion and understanding even in moments where our students need it the most. Teaching can be lonely if you don't have a support group of friends within the teaching community who you trust and who can truly understand what you're going through. Most importantly, it's so important to have those friends who also love Jesus and who can always point you back to the Father.
Whether you're a teacher or not, fellowship with others is a game changer as we walk through this life. Gossip isn't only found in the teacher's lounge. A short-temperament isn't only seen within a stressful classroom setting. An unwilling heart isn't only unwilling when your Superintendent gives you a new task that requires you to step out of your comfort zone. Limited compassion and understanding isn't only lacking in your relationship with a hard student. These are fleshly things that we can bring into a school building with us in the morning and they are fleshly things that we can carry back out with us when it's time to call it a night. Accountability is the key to conquer these negative behaviors and accountability accompanies fellowship.
Jesus truly uses Teacher Talk Ministry as a resource and community for teachers to lean into for encouragement and accountability. Jesus also uses church families, small groups, and bible studies to provide us with fellowship opportunities just to name a few. I'm encouraging you to dive into a group or community of like-minded people who you can talk to and trust. You weren't made to go through life alone and you weren't made to not be known. You have a purpose and you have a calling. You have something to offer; even if you need a little help along the way. Fellowship is a critical component to our faith and the impact that it can have on our lives is powerful.
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
Blessings,
-Brooke
If you're a teacher, head on over to the Teacher Talk Ministry Facebook page and join the community! CLICK HERE!