Randi Meyer
Tuesday 3/17/09
Week 9 – Firing a Teacher

Grant United Methodist Church
Pastor Constance Cherry – Thursday 3/12/09

Pastor Connie began by telling me that she has never fired a teacher, even though at times she probably should have. She also stated that most of her ministerial positions did not give her the authority to do this, but here are the steps of what she would do in a situation in which a teacher would need to be fired.
1. Listen to the complaints individually and not in a group setting. Ask the people to share their concerns, but make sure you set boundaries for the conversation. Don’t allow them to discuss personal issues, but have them tell you what is ineffective about the teaching.
2. You should then personally visit the Sunday school class to make sure the complaints match up with what is really going on. Visit the class several Sundays to make sure it was not just a bad Sunday for the teacher.
3. If the complaints are true, then one should confront the teacher. Tell them that you have witnessed and heard that the students would prefer a change in format and teaching. Do this very carefully, and then ask them if they would be willing to receive some training coming up in the church. You should make sure you offer assistance first before firing a teacher!
4. If there was resistance for training from the teacher, then one should probably make have everyone in the church involved in teaching sharpen their skills. Provide something for them to learn different ways to teach that would be efficient and effective.
5. If the teacher is still unwilling to receive help and assistance, then ask the teacher to take a break and have a time out. Give them time to regain interest and rest from teaching. Pastor Connie said she would not fire them though. Contact them later to see if things have changed for them.

Helpful Advice:
1. Pastor Connie emphasized that pastors/churches are obligated to equip teachers. That is why she is cautious when considering firing a teacher. She questions if she is really doing her part. If the doesn’t have a teachable spirit, then that is different and there is nothing you can do about that.
2. The truth of the matter in Pastor Connie’s opinion is that Sunday schools are so bad along with the teachers, because they are unwilling to change and grow. They are not bad people. They are just stuck in their old ways. Churches need to equip classes to know how and why they need to change.