Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be everything - a doctor, a lawyer, an astronaut, a meteorologist, a news anchor, a radio show host, an actress, a chef, a race car driver, a veterinarian, a police woman - you name it, I wanted to be it. There were just so many options, how could I be just one thing? However, teaching was never in my forecast.  

 

During high school, I thought I had finally narrowed it down to something in the medical field. I had decided that being a doctor took too long, so that was out. But what did I want to do?

 

My aunt works as an IA at an elementary school near my house. When I was about 16 years old, she asked me if I would be interested in coming to her classroom to volunteer. I'll be honest, the sound of volunteering in a 4th grade classroom did not sound too appealing to me. But being that I was homeschooled, I figured I could always go volunteer after finishing my own work.

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I remember my first day, I wasn't very excited. "What could be exciting about spending 3 hours in a classroom with kids I don't even know?" I thought. Although that first day is kinda blurry now, I do remember reading with the kids. I started to think maybe this wasn't so bad. The kids seemed to like me, and I liked them. 

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I volunteered in that classroom for the rest of the school year. Everyday, after finishing my school work at home, I would get ready and go to the school. I read with kids, helped them with work, helped the teacher with different things she needed to do - and I LOVED it. I looked forward to going every single day. The kids absolutely lit up my world and unlocked a chamber of my heart I didn't know existed. I volunteered at this school with the same teacher (different grade level) for two years. During that time, I also landed myself a job as a private math and reading tutor. It was really quite surprising. 

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My second year, I won Volunteer of the Year for Collettsville Elementary School. It is one of my proudest accomplishments. I got to go to a fancy banquet hosted by the county and everything. During this time, everyone asked me, "Are you going to be a teacher?" I would always bite me lip, shrug a little, and say, "Umm...I don't think so. I love volunteering...and helping kids learn...and being in the classroom...but I just don't know." Usually the response was, "That's good. You don't want to be a teacher anyway. There's no money in that." Looking at the ground I would usually agree, "Yeah, you're right." 

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After I graduated high school, I found myself in a very confused state of mind. I had no idea about what I wanted to do. I felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions...by me. However, I also found myself in a bad relationship with someone who tried to choose my future for me (ladies, do not let this happen). I went to several advising appointments, during which all I really got out of my mouth was "something medical." In terms of the medical field, Caldwell Community College only offered so much. "I want to work with kids, but I don't want to be a teacher." My advisors would look at me, confused, and ask, "Why don't you want to be a teacher?" I never expected them to ask that...but I came up with the same excuse as always: no money, too hard, blah, blah, blah... 

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So, into the medical assisting program I went. Why? You ask. Well, I'm not really sure. I had no interest in it, but it seemed like a responsible choice. I started college in the fall of 2015 with great eagerness and zeal. I LOVED it. I loved everything about college - going to class, actually being taught by a professor, collaborating with other people (probably comes from the whole homeschooled thing). I worked really hard. I was always at least 30 minutes early to class, and I NEVER turned in an assignment late. I was born for college. 

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During my first two semesters, the only medical classes I took were Medical Terminology I and II. I enjoyed it for the most part, even though I had to cover the pictures in the book with sticky notes because they made me gag. And I had to turn my head during several lectures because I have a weak stomach. And I never could figure out how to take someone's blood pressure "the old fashioned way." But the medical field had my name written all over it! Right...? My middle name was HealthProfessional! Right...? I was starting to have my doubts.

 

After some thinking and praying, I decided to decline my spot in the medical assisting program. I wasn't sure where I was going or what would happen, but I knew I had to do it. Meanwhile, I was still in the toxic relationship, and he wasn't having any of this. I considered the possibility of dental hygiene, but he did not approve of that either. So, deciding what I would do with the rest of my life became increasingly difficult. 

 

One day, on my way to class, I began to pray. I had been asking God for so long what I should do with my life. All of a sudden, I had a breakthrough - the one I had been waiting for (or had I?). I knew, right away, that I was called to be a teacher. How could I have been so blind to this? Or was I just ignoring it...?  I think I knew I was supposed to be a teacher the minute I walked into that 4th grade classroom. It just took me a while to accept it. It felt like a ton of bricks had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt so free, and excited about my future for once! After class, I called my mother to tell her I finally knew what I was doing with my life. When I got home, I told my dad, who said he already knew I was going to be a teacher. So did Mrs. Walker the 4th grade teacher...so did everyone.

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You would think maybe someone would have told me this so I wouldn't have spent months agonizing over what I would do with the rest of my life! But at the same time, I'm thankful for my journey, because it got me to where I am now. After my breakthrough, I began the process of getting into the teaching program offered through Appalachian State on the Caldwell campus - a true blessing put in place by the Lord Himself. Once I surrendered, everything fell into place. I'll never forget all the times I went to talk to Karen in her office about all this.

 

I finished up my associate's degree and started the program in the fall of 2017. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. My favorite two years ever. The people I met in that cohort have become my dearest friends. I prayed so hard before starting the program that God would let there be good girls for me to talk to. And He did so much more than I asked. 

 

Here I am 2.5 years later, graduated with my bachelor's degree (which I though I'd never get) and teaching first grade (currently teaching online because of Corona). And also a grad student?! Who would have thought. I am so thankful for where I am today and how I got here. And it's only the beginning! I can't wait to see where my teaching career takes me. I have so much peace about what I'm doing. Even though I didn't go to college for everything, I still became everything - a doctor, a meteorologist, a race car driver (I'm always running late to school), an author, an actress, an astronaut, a chef (even if it might be just preparing snack). I get to teach kids and love them and help them grow up to be good humans - and that's better than any job I could have ever dreamed of.