I'm going to be in school for the rest of my life....

So I recently had to write a paper for my education profession class about my motivation for becoming a teacher, and I thought it would be appopriate to share for my first post since it's a very huge part of my life right now. So here it goes...

                 A couple of years ago, I had my life plan all figured out. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I had mapped it all out. I was going to be a pharmacist. I was going to use medicine to make a difference in people’s lives without having to deal with all of the blood and guts that a doctor would. The salary was not exactly a drawback either.

                Teaching was the last thing that I wanted to do. See, I knew about teachers, especially elementary school teachers. They spend long days with crazy, hyperactive children. They go home and grade crazy children’s papers and make lesson plans for crazy children. They are not exactly the wealthiest people on planet earth either. Their job title is not one that comes with much glamour. No, teaching was not an option for me.

                There was just one tiny problem with this great plan I had for my life. I had not consulted the Lord about it once. I decided all of this out of my own selfish desires. I was planning what I wanted and what I thought was best for me, but God had a much different plan. I have to laugh at how silly I must have seemed to God, mapping out my entire life. While He knew all along that none of what I planned was going to happen. I know He had to think it was silly because I know He has a sense of humor. How do I know this? I am now going to be doing the very thing I wanted no part of-teaching elementary school.

                I said all of that to say this. The most important reason that I want to teach is because I truly believe that it is what God has called me to do. This is where God has lead me, and He has given me a passion for it that I never would have thought possible. I believe with all of my heart that this is want God wants me to do with my life, and I am so excited to see what He has in store. I cannot wait to have my own classroom. God did a strange work in me, but I am so glad that He did.

                Now that the Lord has called me to be a teacher, there are many things that I strive to be as a teacher. I had a host of different experiences with teachers in elementary school. Some were outstanding, some were awful, and some were just teachers. I strive to stay miles away from the awful. I never want to make a child feel insignificant or ignorant or unloved. I also strive to stay away from being just a teacher. I would rather not do something at all than do it half-heartedly. My desire is to be one of the outstanding. I have one particular teacher who stands out when I look back on my elementary years. Mrs. Slayton, my fifth grade teacher, changed my life, literally. She was one of the godliest women I have ever met, and she genuinely loved each and every one of us. She has a passion for young people and just pouring into their lives. I strive to be some other child’s “Mrs. Slayton.”

                I want to make a difference in hurting children’s lives. I want to show a child genuine love for the first time. I want to help a child discover his or her intelligence. I want to help a child discover his or her self-worth. I want to simply help a child learn. I want each child I teach to leave my class at the end of the year as a different child than the one that entered my classroom at the beginning. This will not be because of anything I do or say or teach, but it will be in the work Christ does through me. I want each child I teach to see how great my God is, and I pray that every child I teach someday might come to know the Lord as their Savior.

My motivation for the outstanding also comes from my family. I come from a family that loves me very much and always encourages me to learn and to grow. They love the Lord with all of their hearts, and they are constantly reaching out and ministering to other people. I have seen lives be changed because of work that God has done through them. If I can make even half of the impact on one child’s life that my parents have made on mine, I will be full of joy.

                Sometimes I still struggle with the difficulties that come with teaching, but I believe the rewards will far outweigh them. I also truly believe this exactly what God wants me to be doing. I know it will not always be easy, but I have faith that He will see me through and He will use me to touch the lives of children in need of love and care.