For WC first-grade teacher Emma Thomas, taking the time to know each student opens the door to growth in the classroom and in their faith.
Every day at Worthington Christian, God is at work in the lives of students, families, and teachers. As we approach the end of the year, a season when many families consider their charitable giving, we’re sharing stories that offer a glimpse into the lasting impact of a Worthington Christian education and the difference made possible through the generosity of our community. Because every gift impacts a story.
When Worthington Christian first grade teacher Emma Thomas thinks about what she hopes her students remember long after they leave her classroom, it isn’t a particular lesson or accomplishment.
“I pray that my students will remember that a relationship with Jesus is the most important decision they will make,” she says. “I desire for all of my students to know Jesus and to follow him more closely each day.”
For Emma, that hope shapes everything from the way she teaches reading to the conversations she has with students about their faith.
Since joining WC in 2022, Emma has taught first grade and also serves as a volleyball coach at the Upper School. Her roles allow her to invest in students at very different stages of their education, from children learning foundational skills to teenagers preparing for life beyond high school.
Emma was drawn to Worthington Christian by the opportunity to bring her faith into her work.
“I had a deep desire to share the most important part of my life with my students, a relationship with Jesus,” she says.
That desire shapes not only what Emma teaches, but how she cares for the students entrusted to her. She makes a point of knowing each child personally, from their interests and accomplishments to their struggles and prayer requests.
“I want students to know that if they are not there, they are deeply missed and loved,” she shares.
Emma remembers one student who struggled with reading and frequently spoke negatively about their own abilities. Throughout the school year, she worked alongside the child, reminding them that they couldn’t do it yet.
By the end of the year, that student had become a confident reader.
“Seeing the smile on a student’s face when they realize the potential that they have and that consistent effort pays off, is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world,” Emma says.
Emma finds just as much meaning in the questions her students ask about faith.
Early in her time at WC, Emma had a first grader who regularly asked challenging questions during Bible time. She welcomed those questions, giving the student space to explore what God’s Word says and what it means to follow Him.
At the end of that school year, the student invited Emma to attend their baptism.
“It helped me to realize the impact that giving students space to ask questions and discover God has on their spiritual growth and decision to follow Jesus,” she recalls.
For Emma, moments like these affirm something she has believed since she began teaching: her work is more than a job.
“I believe that my job is also my calling and I want my students to see God in me through the way that I encourage, uplift, and guide them,” she shares.
“As a teacher, this school has been such a blessing to me,” Emma says. “Our school prioritizes the development of our students’ hearts and minds in ways that will impact their worldview and futures far beyond the classroom.”
Every gift impacts a story. Your generosity supports a school community where teachers like Emma invest in students every day, helping them grow in confidence, deepen their faith, and discover who God created them to be.
