My Decision to Teach
My decision to become a teacher was one of the easiest decisions of my life. I believe that I was born to be a teacher. This became evident in my younger years when every single day I would play school with my baby dolls. I always loved learning and going to school. I always had a connection with my teachers and they always inspired me.
During my school years, I was always in honors and AP classes. So, I was always with the same group of people every year and in every class. We were all, for the most part, excited to be at school and learning. Well, maybe not everyone nor every day. But, overall, we all knew the importance of school and did what we were told.
My senior year of high school, my school world changed. After years with the same students, it came about that my school did not offer an honors course for the required history credit for senior year. So, I left my comfortable circle and got put in a classroom with students who did not want to learn and did not do their work. Somehow, I was just shocked that these people existed. That year I also had the honor of being a teacher aide for one of the most wonderful math teachers that I had during my high school years. While she was wonderful and loved what she did, being put in this type of classroom completely deterred my decision of wanting to be a teacher. There is no way that I was going to put up with that every day for a career. During this bit of time I had also swayed away from looking for God's plan for my life and was focused on what I wanted, rather than God's will.
I started college at University of Montevallo (a college known for their awesome teachers). Although this was not my decision for choosing this new home, God knew what He was doing when he put these desires into my heart. God also during this time put a wonderful man of God in my life who encouraged me to follow God's plan and seek His will, rather than my own. For that fact, I will always be thankful.
So, at the end of my freshman year as a mathematics major and after I had declared a business minor, I finally realized that my calling was not for a mere business job, but I was called to a much higher calling. I ended up finishing my business minor, but began to put my thoughts and focus into becoming a math teacher. I knew that I was called to change lives, just as my life had been changed by the countless number of selfless and caring teachers that had made their way to the city of Pinson.
My Decision to Move
My last year of college, I had my life planned, as if that is possible. I was even being realistic (ha). I was going to graduate from UM and get a job in Shelby County. I was going to rent a place and marry the man of my dreams and that is where we would start a family and live the rest of our lives. I even had made practical adjustments in how that would happen. I was realistic. I wouldn't teach at the best school in the system my first year and we wouldn't move to the best neighborhood. We would work our way up.
My senior year of college comes to a close and I start applying for jobs. I had taken all the steps imaginable to get a good teaching job in Shelby County. I took other interviews around the state, some went well and some not so much. All of these I considered practice for the "real job" I wanted in Shelby County. During this last semester, I had also joined a small group, one that would definitely have a major impact on my life.
One day towards the end of my senior year, this classmate of mine comes into the student lounge to study; this is where I tutored. She had a close connection with Tuscaloosa City Schools and we began to talk. We talked about the school district and I let her know which schools I had applied for. She highlighted one particular school as a great one to work. Soon after our conversation, this school called me in for an interview. Because of the great recommendation, I did not research the school and went in the interview with no knowledge about the school. While sitting in the lobby, two people checked in or out to go to court, and a couple students had to call home due to being in a fight. Needless to say, this was NOT the school for me and there was no way I was going to work there. However, the principal I had met was one of the sweetest ladies I could have met.
God definitely had a lot of work on my stubborn heart in just a few weeks.
While all of the ladies in my small group confided in each other about our struggles, I had them pray for me about a job. One lady kept praying these words over me, "Lord, open doors that no man can shut and shut doors that no man can open." It was probably about this time that the Lord began to tell me that my life was about to take a much different turn than I had expected. But, for weeks, I REFUSED to pray these words. I knew that if I did, God would do that. I DID NOT want to work at a school outside of Shelby County. This was my plan, remember? Well, finally this stubborn woman opened up to God in tears and prayed these words every day.
And goodness, did He ever do that! Graduation was coming and Tuscaloosa City Schools called and offered me a job as an unassigned math teacher. I had a HUGE decision to make. Me, MOVE TO TUSCALOOSA?! No way! That was not going to happen! I was supposed to be getting my life started in Shelby County, not Tuscaloosa!
After much deliberation and prayer, there was no denying this is where God wanted me. All of my hesitations had already been answered. This happened with EVERY SINGLE CONCERN! There was no denying that this is where God wanted me to be and that His hand had been in all of this. So, I happily accepted the job and waited on my final placement. I ended up getting placed at a great middle school that I think will be perfect for me. My God is good!
I still hear many concerns from friends and family.. Why would you teach at a low income school? Don't you know there are behavior problems? What about the drive to Montevallo? That's a crazy college town! Yes, I have heard this many times. Many people have been very supportive. God has a hand on all my concerns and has addressed them before I even thought about them. No, I don't have all the answers. But, who does?
My reason for teaching is to CHANGE LIVES. Where else would I have more of a chance than my school? No, it isn't what I had picked out for my life. But, oh, how THANKFUL am I that God's thoughts are higher than my thoughts and His ways are higher than my ways. God has orchestrated my placement into this wonderful school system from the beginning. I'm so thankful for the many people who have helped me to open my eyes and accept His plan for my life. For I know I would not be truly happy and filled with this much joy if I were at any other school. God opened this door that I thought would be impassible and shut the doors that I wanted to open.
So, I sit here with a couple of days before my job starts... I'm definitely nervous. But, I know that God would never give me more than I can handle. With whatever comes my way this year, I know that I'm at this school for a reason. I hope that if you've taken your time to read all my ramblings, you pray for my students with me. Pray for me that through God, I'm able to change lives. Pray for my strength and energy to deal with what comes with my job. I know all days will not be great. But, I know that with God, everything is possible.
