7 Traits of Impactful Christian Teachers
What makes a Christian school teacher successful? Let's look at 7 traits we find in our staff that make the longest-lasting impact on students.
BY Hannah Buchholz
An average high school student spends over 4,000 hours at school during their four years. This time shapes who they are—students are influenced by the people they’re around and the lessons they’re exposed to. The takeaway? High schoolers are deeply impacted by their teachers.
As a parent, this raises an important question: How will these teachers influence my student during such a critical stage of life?
You want to trust the adults guiding your students each day—ensuring their values, lessons, and character align with what you’re teaching at home. To help build that trust, here are seven traits that define every LuHi teacher:
1) Strong sense of mission
Each LuHi teacher is a committed Christian who believes their position is not just a job, it is a calling. As our Assistant Principal explains, “The purpose of education is to learn about our Lord and Savior. In every facet of education is God saying, “Hi, I’m here, I love you.” So it’s about helping students develop that relationship [with Him]. It’s why I am so passionate about Lutheran Ed. Lutheran Education reaches the actual purpose of our ability to observe and process information, all to reach the conclusion that God is not hiding from us.”
Teachers at LuHi teach from a biblical worldview across all curricula with the end goal of helping students better know the God who created them, loves them and gives them value.
2) Strive for excellence
At LuHi, we want students to learn life skills like accountability and responsibility. Holding students to a high standard is what teachers do day to day. We push students to reach for their potential academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
As LuHi grad Chase Campbell shares, “Teachers don’t expect perfection, they expect us to put forward our best thoughts and efforts.”
3) Genuine love for students
LuHi Grad Jasmine Shelton shares, “The LuHi staff is unbelievable. They care about each individual so much. Throughout the last several years, there has always been at least one staff member that I would feel comfortable going to if I just needed to talk. I always knew, however, that any one of them would take time out of their day to sit down and talk with me. This is something that makes Lutheran so special.”
Another grad, Lindsey Gross, says that teachers at LuHi are unique because of their Christ-like love. “The whole staff cares so much that I’ve had teachers stop me in the hall to ask me how I’m doing, and ask me about what they can be praying for. That isn’t something you’ll find anywhere else.”
4) Passionate about their subject area
Think back to when you were in high school. I bet you can sort your teachers into two categories: those who love their subject area and those who were less than enthusiastic about their classes. Who did you learn more from? LuHi teachers love what they teach. They aim to bring their subjects to life, igniting curiosity and engagement in their students.
As Lights Academy Director Dave Black says, “A passionate teacher leads to passionate students. Students respond more positively to teachers who are excited about what they teach.”
5) Be humble & real
The starting point for healthy relationships is remembering that we are all broken people, yet Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross covers all of us. Our sins have the toxic effect of hurting others around us. As Christians, we are called to rhythms of repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.
Christian teachers know that they have been forgiven much. Out of that reality, they know the value in forgiving others. As Colossians 3:13 reminds us, “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
In a school setting, this means conversations happen where sorries are said, forgiveness is asked for, and grace is given. When teachers acknowledge the reality of our mutual sin to students, it creates an atmosphere of trust, which paves the way for authentic learning and growth.
6) Seek wisdom and truth by teaching from a biblical worldview
At LuHi, all our teachers believe and teach that the Bible is infallible and provides absolute truth. In today’s world, where many voices compete for authority, Christian teachers guide students toward the ultimate source of wisdom: God’s Word.
Teenagers have been through enough life to realize that faith is not always easy. And, they often have questions about what faith looks like when life gets difficult. Our teachers do not shy away these questions. Instead, they create space for honest dialogue, pointing students to the source of all answers—Christ.
7) Encourage others
In addition to parents, high schoolers need other adult mentors in their lives to support them and offer sound advice. At LuHi, students can take their pick of any teacher. LuHi Grad Christopher Wong shares, “I want [future students] to know that LuHi is a great family and community of people who want to encourage you and build you up as a person. People at LuHi want to see you succeed and they want to help you in any way they can.”
See LuHi Teachers in Action
Our core values include having highly relational and highly talented teachers in every classroom. This guides our hiring process at LuHi. If you’re looking for a school where teachers are passionate, loving, and dedicated to helping students grow in Christ, we’d love to show you more. Schedule a tour or shadow day to experience the difference at LuHi!
Originally published in 2019, updated in 2024 for accuracy.