Crazy love

I am excited to share with you the news that I am leaving today (Tuesday, June 8) to begin the first part of my summer training for Teach For America. You may or may not know that I have accepted a job teaching in a low-income community in rural Eastern North Carolina through TFA. My tentative placement is in middle school math (my first choice!), but it will all depend on where the needs are the highest. Training runs through July 17th (one week in NC, 5 weeks in Mississippi), and I move to Carolina for a two-year commitment on July 28th. If you've never heard of TFA, I encourage you to check out their mission at www.teachforamerica.org. I am incredibly excited to join the team and play even a tiny role in working for educational justice.

I know what you're thinking: "A French major teaching middle school math? In rural North Carolina? Your last summer of freedom wasted on training? Are you crazy?" Well, my friends, the truth is: maybe I am.

But if there's one thing that my amazing friends have taught me these past few years, it's that life isn't worth living unless you're willing to take risks, go with the flow, love others, and trust in the Lord (JV, CR, and AP I am forever indebted to your free spirits). Some people see this as the easy way out. Others see it as a ridiculous feat that will only exhaust me and leave me disappointed. The people that love me the most see it as an opportunity for me to grow and pursue a calling I have always felt: teaching. As for me, I see it as blessing, a challenge, and an opportunity to learn lessons in love.

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:11

Paul may have been writing to the Corinthians, but he might as well have been writing to me. I have been blessed beyond belief these past 21 years. My parents have worked hard to provide Amanda and I with a beautiful house, cars, food, clothing, gadgets, and an education. But these past four years have taught me that I'm rich in many other ways, too. What has no doubt made the biggest difference in my life is my support team: family, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, etc. I have always, always, had people cheering me on and encouraging me. This kind of love and support is by far one of the most precious riches I could ever ask for. God has made me rich so that I can share with others. Sharing: an essential kindergarten lesson that is often lost on us before middle school. But as I have reflected on my past in the process of deciding my future, it has become clear to me that I have an incredible opportunity to do just that in these next two years, and hopefully beyond.

I have always loved teaching. Just ask my stuffed animals, who were often subjected to daily make-believe school sessions when I was little. One of my favorite childhood Christmas presents was a school kit, complete with library cards, hall passes, attendance sheets, and a chalkboard. I still remember a handful of the names on my roll call (many named after characters from my favorite books, like the Babysitter's Club). In 5th grade, I tutored a 3rd grader weekly and bought him little prizes from the bookstore when he did well. In high school, I tutored in a 2nd grade classroom and helped develop an after-school program at my old elementary school to teach kids French. I taught Sunday school with a friend and was a volunteer swim coach for the youngest swimmers. In college, I helped a friend teach tennis lessons (no, you did not miss a memo, I am not a tennis player--but I can hold a racket better than a 6 year old) and tutored Economics, French, and Accounting I. My teaching experience has come in many forms, although never professionally, and I have loved every minute of it. But what I love more than teaching is seeing a student work hard, understand, and eventually succeed.

Why did I choose this means of teaching, rather than the traditional route of studying education in college and getting a job in a suburb of Richmond? Honestly, I don't know what changed my mind. I applied to colleges with an intended major in Education, but quickly changed to French when I got to Randolph-Macon. And I'm so grateful for this change of heart, because I got to work with some great professors, spend almost 4 months living in France, and learn a language that I love. But now, I have an incredible opportunity to pursue a career that I have always wanted, and fill a huge need. Blessings, friends...that's all I can say.

I do not by any means expect this experience to be easy and pleasant. I do, however, expect to share the same encouragement that you all have so lovingly given me so that even one kid (but hopefully many more) who is considered "at-risk" can defy the odds and have the same opportunities I have had. I expect long hours, hard work, frustration, exhaustion, and sometimes seemingly fruitless labor. Sounds appealing, no? Well, no one ever said this would be easy. But for many of these kids, education is critical. It's their ticket to better life. And if I'm passionate about education, why would I NOT want to bring that passion to the kids who need it the most?

Plus, I expect to have to depend on God for the strength that I will need to love and teach these kids the best I can. And what's better than drawing closer to Him?

I hope you will join with me in rooting on my future students. Thanks for visiting and keep checking back! I cannot wait to share with you the successes, failures, struggles, and growth from this experience. Bookmark/follow me to keep up :)