As we finish this week of learning about church work vocations and how these servants of the church came into ministry, we now want to highlight our teachers. Lutheran schools are such a blessing and we are excited to raise up the next generation of “Tomorrow’s Teachers & Preachers”! Today, meet Matt Simpson who serves as the Director of Student Ministries and the Religion Teacher at Saxony Lutheran High School. A Concordia, Nebraska grad, he’s starting his 22nd year of teaching. Read how this kid who didn’t really like school turned 180° and now serves as a teacher:
Since I was a kid that never liked school, becoming a teacher was never in my realm of possibility. I did love art and wanted to pursue a career in that field. Yet God had other plans for me. Through my best friend, I was encouraged to consider becoming an art teacher. During the Fall of my senior year in high school, I visited Concordia University. I quickly fell in love with their art program, their campus, and the prospect of using my skills to help others love art. I enrolled at Concordia and pursued a degree in K-12 Art Education with a minor in Theology. It wasn't until my second year in teaching that I came to the realization that I wanted to exclusively teach religion. I will always love art, but I love teaching my students about Jesus more.
There is a lot to love about the teaching ministry. What I love the most is that I get to encourage young people to stand firm in the unshakeable promise of the Gospel. It is in Him that they find their identity and purpose in life. It brings me joy whenever my students are able live out their vocations; letting their words and actions speak volumes as to Whom they belong.
I have been blessed with many mentors and role models in my years of ministry. Their wisdom continues to challenge and mold me in this calling. My first mentor, Peter Richenburg, told me something during my student teaching assignment that I will never forget. He said that his daily goal is to make sure that each child knows that Jesus loves them and feels valued and respected in his classroom. His goal became my goal, and I am humbled that God still uses me to be His hands and feet.
One of the challenges of the teaching ministry is not knowing if you are actually making a difference. Many students learn the material necessary to pass your class and move on with their lives. It is my hope that they remember what I have taught but I don't know that for sure unless they reach back out to me. Last month, I received a wonderful email from a recent alumnus. This young woman has had her fair share of tragedy and sadness while she was my student. (You wouldn't know it because she was pretty quiet in class.) In her email, she expressed her gratitude for my class and how I helped her strengthened her relationship with God. It was a wonderful reminder that God is always working for His glory, even whenever you are unsure how He is doing so.
