Beyond Teaching
How teachers can use their retirement for Christ
by Peter Gregory- retired ACT trustee
Following my retirement I have found myself busy in life.
Like many Christian teachers I worked hard in my career, teaching wherever God led me through different jobs and settings over time. I began my career in primary schools then moved into special education and secondary schools. By the end of my career I had trained teachers in two universities as well as the government’s ‘Troops to Teachers’ programme. Along the way I had been a school governor over several decades.
Then I retired. Rather than everything just suddenly stopping, I prayed about the ways God intended me to continue to invest in the lives of others. I have remained involved in the governance of schools but I have been amazed at some of the ways that God has opened up new avenues. Listening very carefully I have heard God’s whisper and become deeply involved in my own church’s ministries – firstly supporting the monthly coffee mornings being a listening ear to many who are overwhelmed by today’s society and then rather to my surprise working with the students. (Canterbury where I live has a large student population with three universities and my church has developed a strong ministry supporting them through their studies, spiritual devotion and growth as well as finding ways to help them integrate into the churches of the city.)
As the oldest student worker on the team (by far!) I have the advantage of understanding the world of today’s students (especially the demands of academic life) whilst being pretty unshockable and always willing to listen, encourage and offer support. The conversations I have had often remind me of those recorded in the new testament: Jesus just rubbed shoulders with everyone and was always prepared to speak to individuals. Essential characteristics of every teacher too!
There have been several other opportunities as well – I have found myself sitting on education committees for several Dioceses, mentoring school governors, as well as extensions of my governance activities. I recently became Chair of Trustees for my local church and of a national Christian charity.
Some of my interests in the natural world have also opened up avenues of service which I really hadn’t anticipated. One of these is for a secular national society for which I now chair the Safeguarding Committee. Ensuring people (young or vulnerable) are kept safe is an important – if sometimes challenging occupation.
Why am I sharing all of this? Those who know me will appreciate that I rarely ‘blow my own trumpet’. Indeed I don’t want to do that now. I am sure there is a much more important reason for writing today. For far too many Christian teachers the end of their career seems to loom as a major challenge as they contemplate ‘what can I do now?’ - perhaps feeling they have exhausted their usefulness. Rather than being overwhelmed by the enormous uncertainty I want to suggest that the extensions of our life in the classroom, we do well to continue to seek God’s will, listen carefully and as Mary (Jesus’ mother) once said to the servants as the wedding at Cana, “Do whatever he tells you”. (John 2:5).
May God richly bless you as you listen carefully and diligently do as told.