Cultivating a Culture of Integrity & Responsibility

And Joseph settled his father and brothers in Goshen:

Pharaoh said, “The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen…” (Genesis 47:6, ESV). Goshen was a fertile land, with great conditions for farming and cattle rearing, and so they worked the land and prospered greatly!

Teachers have also been allocated a prime vineyard, the classroom – the threshing floor of society! Every day, a teacher is provided with an opportunity to instill godly values in the lives of his/her students, in a “culture that stands in direct opposition to the truth-centered worldview presented in the Bible” (Dr. Del Tackett).[1]

In a world where integrity is eroding by the hour, teachers have been given a platform to mold today's and tomorrow's generation. Integrity is the foundation of education, and it is embedded in our mission as a school. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate the teaching of integrity and responsibility values in classrooms. Here are some specific ways we’ve found to do so:

Teachers’ language and mannerisms
Integrity and responsibility are better learned through life examples. Children learn more through what they see and hear rather than a dos and don’ts approach. Rules are good; however, it’s in human nature to break them. Classroom interactions should be filled with truth, honesty, and justice, wrapped with love. The language used by the teacher, both verbal and non-verbal, should transmit integrity at all times. Using quotes, Scripture, and personal experiences to communicate values has a significant impact on students.

Honesty
Cheating for better grades is a universal menace in schools. To curb this menace, schools around the world have increased surveillance. However, this only deals with the surface of the problem neglecting the core problem – the heart! How does a teacher reach the heart of the student? Open class discussions help students to understand the importance of academic integrity. Also helpful is reducing students’ pressure to perform by focusing on students’ understanding of the concepts, encouraging them to own up to their work, and equipping them with skills of working smart toward achieving their academic goals.

Appreciation
Being in a shaming culture, we are very aware of the damage this causes to students. Thus, teachers intentionally appreciate the efforts made by students. Also, teachers engage in differentiation methods of teaching that accommodate all students. This allows every student to realize their worth and believe in themselves. When students learn to believe in themselves, integrity becomes their lifestyle!

Healthy competition
Competition is a good thing; however, it should be handled within parameters that will cultivate healthy competition that sparks interest, passion, and inspires the students to put more effort into a subject area. One way to cultivate healthy competition is through teamwork, as positive participation in a team fosters a positive environment of completion. This approach helps the students to think, and apply knowledge through critical thinking, one of our school’s core values. We endeavor to encourage students toward health competition that promotes integrity and responsibility.

Importance of family
It takes a village to mold a child! As a school, we cultivate an open-door policy for parent–teacher communication. Children need consistency on both ends, at home and at school. Keeping open communication between parents and teachers has helped in pruning some unwanted behaviors like cheating and has promoted honesty.

Consistent appropriate response
Students respond to consistency and kindness. “A gentle answer turns away wrath,” (Proverbs 15:1, NIV). It is paramount for teachers to respond to issues with consistency and a positive attitude when enforcing school and classroom policies. This helps the student to receive correction, internalize the outcome of their behavior, and be willing to change. This behavioral reflection stems from the heart, and it is transformational.

In conclusion, the society is a reflection of the education system. Where the culture of integrity and responsibility is neglected, the system breeds irresponsible citizens, and the future is doomed. Educators have the chance to shape the future through the classroom – Goshen is a fertile ground!

Rosemary Openda

Rosemary is currently the team lead for TeachBeyond in Romania. At Bucharest Christian Academy, she teaches Math and History in elementary and Bible and Study Skills in secondary. She is also the school librarian. Outside school, Rosemary works with women in discipleship programs and loves cooking.

Note: For an example of how to cultivate integrity and responsibility through a program of sports leadership courses at the secondary level, check out this article here.