School Days

      I find it hard to believe that I am finishing my 19^th year of teaching.   I have had the privilege of teaching around 400 students in those 19 years from preschool (3yr old/4 yr old) to 3^rd grade.  I started teaching 1^st grade on September 2^nd, 1997, at Victory Christian Schools in Anaheim, California.   I graduated from Baptist Bible College (May, 1997) with my Elementary Education degree and moved to California at the end of August about a week before the first day of school.  I remember the feeling of nervousness when I realized that I would be leaving the Midwest and moving to EVIL California (people in the Midwest think California is evil and strange – LOL).  I cried so hard when I realized that Southern California was the place that God had chosen for me, but I am happy that I followed the path that He laid before me. 

   

     As I reflect on the past 19 years, I think of all the students that have crossed my path.  I know that God chooses each student that walks and has walked through my classroom door.  I feel honored to have a small part in their lives and I am so proud of each one of them.   I have many former students on Facebook.  Some of my students have become nurses, police officers, Navy seals, Army and some are in the ministry.
 

     I recently received a high school graduation invitation from a former student’s younger brother.  I became very close to this family when I had their daughter in my 2^nd and 3^rd grade class.  They moved to Washington State when she was in 4^th or 5^th grade.  Thanks to Facebook, we keep in touch and I am able to watch them grow up and follow the path that God has chosen for them.

 

     I feel very blessed to be a teacher and have an influence on future generations.  I am very thankful to my professors at Baptist Bible College – Mary Herman, Jayne McConnaughey, and Mariam Moore and so many others.   I am thankful for my mentor Laura McKay through CalState TEACH at California State University (Fullerton, California) where I finished my teaching credential online.   I am also very grateful to Tracy Milbourn (public school teacher) who became my mentor and encouraged me as I completed the credential program.  I can’t imagine doing anything else.  I love the fall and back to school.  

Preschool 2017