NCA teacher gives fresh perspective to helping others

Kristin Burns, a teacher at Nashua Christian Academy, spoke to the middle school students on March 22 about contentment. The word is often recklessly thrown at this age group in particular, along with a pathetic reminder of starving children across the globe. It becomes a blanket statement that will eventually turn to white noise, slowly hardening their generation to the cruelties of this world. Burns, who teaches high school Latin and middle school English, wanted to give these students a more penetrating example of what contentment looks like and where it fits into our lives. Instead of beginning with the basic and the cliche, she pulled contentment from a more radical perspective. Solemnly, Burns recounted a story of a friend of hers who was returning to a life of homelessness. She described how he had to pack one bag full of all the things he would need. This example caught everyone’s attention because of how close it brings the needs of others. She then posed the important question, “What is the least that I need so that others can have enough?” Burns then dragged three large trash bags to the front of the room. With three slow motions, all of Burns’ clothes tumbled onto the floor. “Is this something I need?” she would ask the listeners.