The Commission of CES Teachers and Leaders
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The Commission of CES teachers and leaders describes those principles and values that, if held by a CES teacher or leader, will lead toward the successful achievement of the CES objective. The Church Educational System is based on and governed by principles of the gospel. When a person comes to believe in and care about a principle to the point it changes or directs his or her behavior, that principle becomes a value. Henry B. Eyring, as Commissioner of the Church Educational System, said, "Values...come...from the inner workings of the Spirit as we live gospel principles.....As we get our values from the gospel of Jesus Christ rooted into our work, we are going to see excellence, and we're going to see some marvelous things" (Address to Area Directors, Mar.1983).). The three parts of the commission are; live the gospel, teach effectively, and administer appropriately.
Live the Gospel
Every Latter-day Saint has made covenants with the Lord. Part of these covenants have to do with doing God's work in his way and with his power so that Church members might become the saviors of men. Doing God's work is the central value that lies behind any success a teacher has in teaching the gospel. Elder John A. Widtsoe said, " The Lord proposed a plan in pre mortal life...We accepted it. Since the plan is intended for all men, we became parties to the salvation of every person under that plan...We went into a partnership with the Lord. The working out of the plan became then not merely the Father's work, and the Savior's work, but also our work" ("The Worth of Souls," Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Oct. 1934, P. 189). As the Lord told the prophet Joseph Smith, members of the Church should have "no other object in view...but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom" (Joseph Smith - History 1:46).
Elder Boyd K. Packer said, "Power comes when a teacher has done all that he can to prepare, not just the individual lesson, but in keeping his life in tune with the Spirit. If he will learn to rely on the Spirit for inspiration, he can go before his class...secure in the knowledge that he can teach with inspiration" ( Teach Ye Diligently (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1975, p.306). Living the gospel is part of a CES teacher's or leader's commission because it influences everything else he or she does.
Teach Effectively
This on-line handbook discusses effective teaching later in some detail, so I will not say more at this point.
Administer Appropriately
Teaching is the primary function of the Church Educational System, but there are other tasks that must also be done if the objective of CES is to be accomplished. Budgets must be planned, reports completed, and facilities maintained.
One of the gospel principles, or values, important to CES is that of servant leadership. A teacher is a leader of youth. Many CES teachers are also asked to lead and train other teachers. Jesus taught that leadership is service to those one leads. He said: "Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:26-27). Some of the administrative principles that are part of being a teacher in CES include:
1. Establish and maintain good relationships with priesthood leaders. It is part of the pattern in the Church that all programs and functions are accomplished under the direction of the priesthood. This is true of the Church Educational System. CES is directed by the Board of Education, which consists of members of the General Authorities of the church. Local CES teachers and leaders have the responsibility to work closely with priesthood leaders to see that religious education programs are functioning properly in the local area and that the youth are enrolled in seminary and are taught properly. They are also to report enrollment and completion information to appropriate priesthood leaders and appoint volunteer CES teachers, after the local priesthood leaders have certified them as being worthy and available to teach in CES.
2. Follow established policies and procedures. The Church Educational System, under the direction of the Church Board of Education, has established guidelines that help teachers and leaders fulfill the CES objective. As an educational system and an employer, CES sets policies and procedures to comply with the laws of the countries in which it operates. Part of the commission to administer appropriately is to know, accept, and follow those policies and procedures.
3. Grade student's performance. Teachers are asked to provide grades showing how students performed. These are recorded and kept in a permanent student record. Letter grades can be used following the local patterns. It is against CES policy to give a failing grade in seminary. Students who do not meet the performance requirements should be given an incomplete grade. An incomplete grade can be made up and changed any time before graduation and not just during the year in which the course is taken. Grades should not be a means of coercing students or pressuring students to conform. Reading the scriptures outside of class in daily programs can be part of a student's grade.
4. Complete reports accurately and on time. CES teachers and leaders are asked to keep a record of the enrollment and attendance of students. This information, as well as other administrative information, is reported to CES supervisors. This information is helpful to teachers as they work with their students.
5. Take proper care of Church property and resources. Teachers and leaders in the Church Educational System are entrusted with the property and resources of the Church, such as buildings, budgets, equipment, supplies and curriculum materials. These are paid for by the tithes of the Church. Each CES employee and volunteer has an obligation to use and take proper care of these resources. Students also should be taught to respect and care for the property and resources of the Church.
