From Childhood Play to Life-Long Passion

 "Whaterver you do, work hearily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:24-25

When I was in grade school, at the end of the year, my teacher would be going through her teaching materials, pull out worksheets that she didn't need anymore. She would share these with anyone who wanted them. I always raised my hand! I would take these worksheets, go home and make my brothers attend school. Of course, this only worked with Daniel and Joshua. I couldn't make Nathan do much of anything. 

I would gather a couple of those metal folding chairs that my parents had and have Daniel and Josh sit on the floor and the seat of the chair was their desk. 

While Daniel and Josh were willing participants for "school", I am sure they did not know how to fill in those worksheets. Sometimes, I would have an imaginary classroom and would make up names for my students and fill in the worksheet for them so I could have something to grade. ;) I loved playing school! My dream was to be a teacher when I grew up. 

I also loved young children and spent several years working with early childhood. After high school, I attended a local college along with a semester at Bethel in St. Paul. After living in Ft. Collins for a few years, I went back to school finishing my generals then attending Colorado Christian University to finish my degree and got my teaching license. 

Through God's direction and heart for missions, I came to Black Forest Academy almost 12 years ago. My 12 year anniversary is at the end of this month! I went first from teaching 4 year olds to teaching math to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders! Since then, I've also taught Science 5 and 7, Art (painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, etc.), Bible 7 for one year, and Advisory. The past few years, I've been teaching science and math to the 5th and 6th graders and am loving my students, planning, and teaching! 

Highlights are in the classroom when my students tell me that they are 'finally getting it', are enjoying the activities as part of the learning process, and show in a variety of ways that they are understanding. Highlights also include those who are praying and supporting me as I am teaching the students of missionary families. I do not earn a salary with what I do everyday. Instead, I have a team of people behind me who are supporting me through prayer, encouragement, and finances while I am working to impact the lives of my students. They are a huge part of the calling that God has laid on my life! If you are one who prays and/or gives, thank you! You are also impacting the lives of my students and their parents as they serve on the mission field! 

Do I have more stories of playing 'teacher'? Definitely! One time, Daniel was pretending to be a teacher and brought his class into my 'library'. I had handwritten and taped small papers to the inside covers of all of my books just like in a normal library. I made up names for Daniel's students as they 'checked out' books. Some of my books still have those paper tags taped to the inside cover. :)