September 10, 2019
Faculty Profile: Trish Main
What motivated you to become a teacher?
I love to learn. I love to help others. I love people (particularly teens). By teaching, I can combine all those loves. I have the opportunity to spend time with young people and help them to realize their own passions and strengths. Teaching requires me to be learning constantly so that I can actually help my students to grow. I started teaching young children Bible lessons when I was 12, and I knew then that I wanted to teach for the rest of my life.
What are your favorite moments with students?
When a student comes to my office to ask for help or just to chat, I cherish that one-on-one time. The absolutely best times are when we meet for tea or coffee without the time crunch of school bells. I also truly enjoy those moments when students reach a conclusion based on careful research and reasoning.
What is the most important life lesson you want your students to learn in your class?
I want my students to understand that their focus will affect their actions. If they are focused only on grades, their actual learning can become little more than an academic exercise. If they are focused only on obeying rules, their relationships can be superficial. If they are focused on growth and learning, they will understand themselves, others, and life’s circumstances more completely. If they are focused on a relationship with God, they will have a better understanding of God’s will and purpose for their lives as well as the attending peace that passes understanding.
Why are you passionate about the subject(s) that you teach?
I believe that good communication skills are essential for both personal relationships and careers; therefore, English classes are vital. Students can learn to receive and understand messages accurately through practice in reading and listening, and they can improve the clarity of their own messages through practice in writing and speaking. Of course, understanding and clearly communicating Biblical truth is of preeminent importance, so I am compelled to help students to improve the skills necessary for “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”
What advice do you have for parents considering Christian education?
Every child is unique, so a one-size-fits-all formula is inadequate. However, given the reality that students become like the teachers who train them (Luke 6:40), careful consideration should be given to the worldview, the beliefs, and the power source of the people who are teaching our children.
At Wheaton Academy, we believe that students grow to become like their teachers (Luke 6:40)—that’s why it’s so important that 100% of our faculty, coaches, and staff are empowered to speak Biblical truth to our students.