Friends,
The new year school year starts in just a few weeks. This year will mark my fifth year in the classroom– it’s a milestone that I’m so proud to celebrate! My pathway to teaching wasn’t easy. I had always imagined myself as a teacher and if I hadn’t been offered my position at Walnut Grove Christian School, I might’ve given up on my calling. Nonetheless, one of my favorite devotionals highlights the idea that “God gives us overwhelming dreams so that we will be encouraged to grow in faith. Furthermore, we are made to dream!”This suggests we will grow into our calling with prayer and practice.
During my time in Undergraduate studies the Dean of Education made the bold statement that “cerebral palsy made me unfit to be a teacher.” On my most discouraging days in the classroom I let her words captivate my mind too much. Words are impactful. This recurring memory has led me to reflection and prepared me to focus on what I’ve already overcome. This will help me experience growth and hope.
In my first year of teaching the world was paralyzed by a global pandemic. By late January, I had settled into a routine that made me feel like my head was above water as a new teacher. By February, it seemed that I was making measurable progress with classroom management. I was still new but gaining confidence. Then without warning, I was suddenly learning how to teach history from my sofa. I joined the countless numbers of educators who problem solved to provide community, instruction , and structure daily via ZOOM. I hid panic to provide certainty when there wasn’t any…. We all did. I had this unspoken worry that perhaps the unknown would impact our small independent school. Would families be able to make a financial commitment to school? There was no way to know. Our school leadership team was joined in prayer by the community. We finished out the year virtually and began the steps to our capital giving campaign. Families and supporters were fully committed to maintaining our school and helping it flourish. There has been consistent growth since those early pandemic days. Our school would continue to be a source of stability for students and staff. Together apart we had built a strong foundation of hope.
The financial promise of faithful donors put my professional mind at ease. Yet, personally I stood on shaky ground. Right ahead of school closure, Mom had been presented with a cancer diagnosis that rocked my world. Cancer was this disease that other people conquered—it couldn’t possibly happen to my Mom. She has given so much of her life to making sure that I was loved and cared for in practical ways. She has helped me beat the odds over and over. Together, we had faced every obstacle that cerebral palsy presented with unwavering persistence. We had won. Now, the roles were reversed. I had to be part of her support system— a steady source of hope. I was afraid. There is no manual about how to manage the BIG emotions of a cancer diagnosis. The only wisdom that friends give is that the journey is different for everyone. This advice is given in love and looking back it’s true. Living differently is what Mom had done since my childhood. She had raised me to be Bold, Brave , and Beautiful. This is exactly how she fought her own diagnosis. She managed to fight cancer during a pandemic with an unwavering spirit.
We returned to school that Fall with precautions in place. There was always a hint of anxiety in interactions– an overwhelming worry that precautions weren’t enough. Spring meant that Mom would travel for treatments. She had one request: Stay focused on teaching. It was definitely a challenge to balance blessing with burden. At the same time, being in a community founded in faith helped me maintain a brave and beautiful heart. I’m grateful to report that Mom is beating the odds.
One of the most valuable pieces of wisdom I’ve ever received is that when you teach from the inside out you can learn the rest.” In other words, finding a reason to share hope will always matter. My dream to teach is so important to me because it is a way for me to help students balance the BIG emotions of life. It’s a chance to share the hope that helps me conquer the unthinkable. There’s always a reason to CELEBRATE!
Joy & Hope,
Julie
