Few professions afford one the opportunity to fuse compassion, creativity, and intellect together in such a way as to shape other human beings—unique and precious individuals—into who and what they are to ultimately, with God’s blessing, become. Teachers are charged with the responsibility of doing this on a daily basis, and in myriad ways.

I enjoy that tremendously.

I also love that teaching is making me a better person. I have been humbled by my students and learned from them. This sounds rather selfish—but truly it’s simply an example of how we all have the same responsibility to each other: teach and care for, love and serve. My students teach and nourish me in ways that they don’t realize. 

Why you feel called to teach?  

I think this goes back to the previous question.One of my most beloved authors, Frederick Buechner, writes that "the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

I might add to that that your calling is directly related to what breaks your heart, and brings tears to your eyes. Tears are so telling.There is a desperate look in the eyes of many young people today: their deep hunger is for meaning. Some have been abandoned by their parents—either physically or emotionally, some have been lied to or hurt by people that formerly brought meaning and structure to their lives, and some have simply bought into the lies that sell so well on TV and over the radio. To see a child trapped in that kind of hurt breaks my heart. My deep gladness lies in guiding and nurturing others in their search for meaning. My heartache is healed when I see a child gain confidence, self-respect, and a genuine desire to love their neighbor and seek knowledge on their own. 

How has LR helped you/prepared you?

My undergraduate experience at Lenoir-Rhyne was invaluable to my career. Academically, I was fostered by my professors into a critical and creative reader, writer, and verbal communicator. One of the most valuable skills I learned through my undergraduate studies was how to objectively view my own work, including my day to day affairs. I became quite reflective—which has served me well in teaching. My professors were passionate and sincere people I didn’t want to let down. Some became close friends, and all taught me more than their academic specialties. I felt loved and appreciated, and the smaller classes at LRU helped me develop close relationships with other students and my professors. That was important to me. For someone who professes to be an introvert, I sure need a lot of attention!

Two extraordinary men, Dr. Dale Bailey and Dr. David Ratke, are deserving of special mention. I can’t thank them enough for the time and energy they devoted to my overall development as a student and human being. I hope I’m doing their immense influence honor in my classroom.

How did NC TEACH specifically help/prepare/support you?

Everything—every thing—I learned through the NC TEACH curriculum has been practical in the classroom. I’m not sure where I would be if I hadn’t been accepted into the program—but I doubt I would have a job I enjoy as much as teaching. Administrators and veteran teachers that observed my classes often commented that I had many characteristics of a veteran teacher. I could only point to my experience in the program. I certainly wasn’t born with a lesson planning or classroom management gene. No stone is left unturned by the instructors at the Lenoir-Rhyne NC TEACH site. We are prepared to expect and intelligently respond to the unexpected. Thanks to NC TEACH, I felt confident that I could be a successful teacher—if I poured my heart into it.

Key to the success of the program is the size of the cohort. We were a small, close-knit group that took care of each other. Moreover, we were mentored and counseled by the best of the best in the teaching profession. I sometimes felt like I was at Top Gun!

The NC TEACH program undoubtedly changed my life.