Sal Aragona
Whether you teach in a classroom with desks lined in rows, or your classroom is marked by yardage, filled with building blocks, lined with pews, has a conference table in the middle of it, or is located every night at the dinner table, Love Never Fails, God in the Classroom will help equip you to teach with the tools necessary to make an eternal impact in the lives of those you are teaching. Sal Aragona will coach teachers on how to bring God’s unfailing love into the classroom each day—leading to a win for everyone.
With biblically based advice and real stories from an everyday classroom all readers will laugh, cry, and be encouraged to lead students further than the generation before. You will find yourself closer to your students, earning a lasting love and respect that will guide them for life. Love Never Fails, God in the Classroom is written by a teacher for teachers, administrators, coaches, parents, and anyone who desires to have a healthy and successful learning environment. Victory in every classroom echoes loudly throughout the entire book.
Sal Aragona began his teaching career in Staten Island, New York and in the Spanish Harlem section of Manhattan. After teaching in New York City he began teaching in the state of New Jersey. He was hired as a sixth grade teacher at a middle school located in Jersey City, New Jersey. Even though Jersey City is known for having failing schools and high crime rates, Sal Aragona was recognized for his success and achievements in the classroom. His students have received numerous honors and have been accepted into some of the country's top high schools. Many of these students were considered "unteachable." Currently Sal and his wife Alana live in Staten Island, New York. Sal Aragona continues to have many healthy friendships with his students who respect and love him, and he continues to help lead teachers to success.
Love Always Protects
Love always protects. Love protects from bad behavior habits, poor study habits, and anything that is going to cause harm physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. As teachers, we have the great privilege of teaching our students how to behave. Before we begin to speak about specific ways to teach behavior, let us remember that bad habits get worse if they are not corrected, and that good habits get better if they are encouraged to continue to be lived out. Students need daily encouragement in the area of character to continue to grow in their character. They need to hear words such as trustworthiness, loyalty, respectfulness, gentleness, goodness, love, joy, patience, peacefulness, kindness, faithfulness, self-control, compassion, selflessness, and many more used in regard to their lives. They need to see examples of these character traits from us daily. And daily, I ask for God’s help in developing in these areas of my life and help on how to encourage others in developing their character. Teachers, we must make character a priority so that it will be a priority to the students. We have to train our students to keep character growth on their minds. I have learned that they need to be consistently taught that there are consequences for their behavior, both good and bad. Let us teach our students the possible outcomes that can occur following certain behaviors, outcomes both good and bad. Be honest and open with your students. And most importantly, be real. Be sincere and genuine—these two character traits are a must in order to successfully be able to train students. Students will follow when they see that these traits are evident and real in your life. Consistent teaching of developing strong character will help train your students’ minds to stay focused on choosing to do right. Daily conversation about the importance and benefits of developing strong character, along with encouragement, will help lead your students to keep focused on their goals. When teaching our students how to behave, let us keep the mindset that we are training them to live. And the better we train them, the more successful our students will be. Teachers, no matter what age your students are, or what month of the school year it is, it is never too late for change. It may be challenging in the beginning, but don’t give up, you will see amazing things happen. God doesn’t like wrong behavior; He is on our side in leading others away from it. Stand firm and confident, knowing that God is on the side of righteousness.
