Teaching Testimony (Part 2)

Rather than sharing a devotional, I felt it on my heart to share my teaching testimony. God has abundantly blessed my profession and this story is too good to keep to myself. 

To read part 1, click here.

My first year teaching, God gave me the impression that I’d see that class through their graduation. (I didn’t think much of it at the time because I wasn’t as solid in my faith.) That day seemed so far off, as I’d finish six years of teaching. I’d get to watch these kids grow up. 

Fast forward to the end of year 6, which was a few months ago now. God reminded me of that impression as I watched the live stream of my first students turning their tassels. He really did give me that word. It was always from Him.

At this point in the post-pandemic world, I was praying about leaving my job. The drive was long and gas prices had skyrocketed. The mandates felt unreasonable. I had no natural daylight and had no teacher-neighbors. I didn’t want to leave, but at the same time, I was ready. I anticipated that God had something else for me.

I was praying about another teaching job. I found a recently posted position, closer to home and with smaller class sizes. I knew the district well, but they already found someone by the time I heard of it.

I was praying about a career in ministry. The opportunity came up in my church, followed by another hard “no.” In prayer, God revealed that it wasn’t the right fit for what He has in my personal ministry. So my plan was to stay put professionally and press into that calling.

But…God doesn’t call us to a life of complacency. Over the summer, I was catching up with a couple of ladies from my church. One of them asked me, “why aren’t you applying to (your home town)?” I said that was a ridiculous question because they weren’t hiring. I thought she, a veteran teacher, sounded ridiculous, knowing that you can’t just apply to a town that isn’t looking for your certifications. 

But I still went online and checked for fun. That day, that exact morning actually, they had posted the exact job I would want. Neither of us knew. I quickly prayed and applied, knowing that no matter what, at the end of the day, I still had a job.

They got back to me right away, asking for an interview while I’d be on vacation. They suggested a virtual interview, even, but It would have been the only day I had fully booked and couldn’t attend. I took that as a sign to stay put…until they offered to meet with me when I returned.

I didn’t prepare for their questions whatsoever. The interview was fun and I left feeling great. I wanted the job. I had clarity that I’d accept, even though I’d lose my tenure and accumulated sick time. This was home.

I didn’t plan on hearing back for a couple days. They had other candidates and other priorities to attend to. Yet they called me a few hours later to offer me the job. I was ready. I said “yes.”

If you know me, this was always the dream. I didn’t realize it fully then. This was the career I longed for all along.

• The position was for 8th grade…the same year I discovered my unlikely calling to be a teacher and the year I discovered my passion for languages.

• 10 years ago, when I graduated high school in this town, I was most sad about leaving the school system. The dream was always to work there.

• A few years later, when I did observations for a college class, I got to work with one of the most influential teachers I ever had. She said “I’d love to have you on staff one day.” She is now my department head, administrator, and one of my evaluators.

If I didn’t have my first job, I wouldn’t have grown into the educator I am today. Those years in that town were the perfect preparation I needed to come back to my hometown.

So I packed up my old classroom and got lunch with my mom. One of the servers was a student I taught during my very first year. She was off to college soon. That was such confirmation from God that I did my job in this town and that season had ended. I could go into what was next. I could return to my roots.

Coming back home, I now have better pay and insurance, I save 100 miles a week on gas, and I finally have natural daylight.

But what makes this so great isn’t just the benefits. It’s God’s perfect timing. This job in my hometown was actually available last year and I was well aware of it. 

So why didn’t I apply? At the time, I was preparing to get engaged to someone. His vision of our future and my career was different. When we heard about the job opportunity, he pushed me to go for it. The Lord told me “no.” Even though this man was a Christian, he was frustrated that I obeyed the Lord’s voice over his desires. (Ladies, that is a serious red flag.)

I don’t know why the Lord kept me at my former job for another year. Maybe to develop better friendships with those colleagues. Maybe to help those few kids who really just needed someone to encourage them. Or maybe because He saw what was coming and knew I couldn’t handle a job switch.

A month later, that guy blindsided me with a breakup. I was burned out. I could barely function at normal capacity, let alone tackle a new job if I had one. I became extra grateful for the predictable school routines and reusable lesson plans. The Lord revealed to me in prayer that, if I had taken this job a year ago, I would’ve been a mess. Taking the job wouldn’t have changed or saved the relationship. That guy still would’ve left me. And then, I’d have to switch jobs and rebuild curriculum, and take on way more than I had the capacity to at the time.

And if I took the job then, I would’ve had one of the notably toughest groups to teach to go through this school.

I don’t know why God gave me the chance again this year. But it magnifies that my obedience was worth it. It shows that He knows what’s best for me in His timing. He appointed me for this position in this moment. 

And I’m ready to go and do as He calls me, when He calls me.

If you’ve take anything away from my testimony, know this: God uses the most unlikely people to amplify His goodness and sovereignty. I’m not a native Spanish speaker and I didn’t always have the qualifications, but God always made a way. Whether it was the certification tests (which is another story) or the timing of the job openings, He always provided what was best for me. And friend, know that He will do the same for you.