Addressing the specific challenges of a child and the possible solution is one of the most difficult. Those of us who are parents can understand how sometimes our love for the child blinds us to realities. Our close relationship to the parents sometimes makes us hesitant to pursue what we as educators know is best for the child educationally. As Lutheran educators, we are in partnership with the parents in choosing the best educational path for the children. All we can really do is lay out an educational plan for the child (which may or may not include retention) but in the end, it is the decision of the parents and we need to work within the parameters of that decision. We also have to realize that we are not always able to provide the best education for a child and we have a responsibility to tell the parents that as well. All of the above requires administrative support, of course and MOST importantly, a lot of prayer. (Then of course there are the parents that threaten to remove their child because obviously they are not thriving in the environment we are providing for them – but that is probably an entirely new topic.)

Passing teachers (really all church workers) on to other congregations without addressing the real problems that exist I fear has always been a weakness in our system. It is difficult to see the line which divides caring for the church at large and for the individual.

You brought up some excellent “thinking points”. Prayers for wisdom, discernment, and an extra measure of love is always our first step. We are not perfect – we make mistakes. But we always strive to do all to His glory.