Quality classroom facilitation requires faculty members to fulfill the course requirements (perspiration) and to give students those immeasurable components of life that go beyond course requirements (inspiration). These requirements demand a servant's heart. Recognizing that everything we have and everything we are is the result of God's grace and those who unselfishly sowed their lives into our lives make us better persons. Thus, to whom much is given, much is required. What others gave to us, we give to others. Therefore, our intention should be never to accept a position higher than that of a servant.

First, serve students by giving what no other can give; give them yourself. Every faculty member brings expertise to the classroom. For some it is creating visual aids, for others it is writing, and for others it is content. Whatever the expertise, exploit it by giving the students the best effort, the best encouragement, and the best opportunity for success. Those who sow their lives into the lives of students reproduce themselves through their students who in turn give to others what they received from their instructors. Give students an ear to hear their concerns, a hand to lift them up, a head to share knowledge and experience, and a heart to share their burdens. 

Second, serve students by taking time to offer constructive criticism and correction. When papers accumulate, the temptation is to skim the papers and grade them without offering substantive feedback and correction to enable students to advance academically. Faculty members have a responsibility to assure academic integrity and to work to raise the bar of academia. Additionally, faculty members are responsible to advance their students knowledge, understanding, skills, and abilities. Therefore, make every effort to offer students more than they expect from an instructor. May students regard their instructors as tough yet fair, challenging yet realistic, and firm yet understanding.

Finally, serve students by demonstrating love. From time to time, every instructor receives the wrath of a student with or without cause. Therefore, demonstrate love through patience, kindness, and forgiveness; and, by giving hope, grace, and encouragement. Further, demonstrate love through professionalism, integrity, and fairness. As students leave the course, may their comments reflect those of students who have grown, learned, and changed. Finally, demonstrate love by offering praise to the students for their efforts.  At times, it is difficult to find anything for which to offer praise; however, offer praise for effort, for timely submissions, or active participation.  Praise for even the smallest thing can provide the motivation the students may need to achieve their goals.

Faculty members are responsible to assure their students meet academic requirements (perspiration) and to challenge students to achieve more by giving their self to their students (inspiration). Titles and accolades that line the walls represent poor measures of greatness. A life changed as the result of selfless service offers a genuine measure of greatness. Such an accolade does not gather dust on a wall, but goes forth to change another life. Servants - Leaders - Teachers change lives by giving their selves, their time, and their love to those they serve.