Bold Truth: I never wanted to be a teacher.
Yikes, right? Not what you’d expect from someone who claims to be passionate about teaching!
Everyone’s journey of how they became an educator is unique in its own way. Yet, I feel like mine was far from the norm. Generally speaking, most folks getting their teaching degree plan to be a teacher. Me, on the other hand? I was planning to work in a church.
What I Really Wanted…
Now let me build the background for a moment: I grew up in church and started serving as a kids Sunday School teacher when I was still a kid myself. Working with those littles brought me so much joy! I had super wonderful kids leaders than had impacted my life at camps and church. They inspired me to do be like them as I got older.
Soon I found a deeper, yet similar, passion: being a camp counselor. Oh my word. If I could only tell you how much I soared in that realm. It was just MY FIT. I even had a camp counselor blog for a bit back in the day (you can see evidence of that here, if you dare!) I had so much FUN with those campers. I did everything I could to win them over and give them the time of their lives. It was a dream job for me. No wonder I did it four summers in a row! I wished I could do it forever.
But of course, I knew “camp counselor for life” wasn’t a possibility. I prayed and prayed during those summers for what my next steps should be. I felt nothing, no clarity. All I knew was to walk towards the path that made the most sense, for me, that seemed like teaching.
Sure, there was a big common denominator: kids. BUT, as a teacher? Would I really care about teaching kids academic subjects? All I really wanted to do was have fun with them. Take them to the lake, take them to the pool, be silly, be fun. I could nail that. But actually getting kids to learn academics? Not interested
After returning from my last summer as a counselor, it was time to start college. I tried to bail out during that summer. I had been captivated by a kid’s church internship at a mega church in Oklahoma. Unfortunately, the internship was unpaid, and my folks laid it out pretty clearly that they would not be offering financial support for that pursuit. College it was. Fortunately, a part time job in kid’s ministry became available at my home church. I was able to pour into that role in place of pursuing my passion.
All the while, I took courses for my teaching degree. Starting junior year, I entered into a teaching cohort. I immediately felt like an imposter. All of those peers were so passionate about education. Some had already picked out classroom themes and were collecting class library books. I did none of that. I faked it to make it, knowing deep down I would be the one that wouldn’t end up using her degree. But GOD. Wow.
Oh How Things Changed….
Suddenly, things started to change around November of my senior year. My teaching program offered a full year of student teaching. How GRATEFUL I am for that. Without it, I guarantee you I would not be a teacher today. That MENTOR teacher blew my socks off. She was fun. She was silly. She had high expectations. Her classroom was safe and joyous and special. I wanted to be that kind of teacher. I saw what teaching for me could look like. I finally connected the dots. The camp counselor in me could exist as a teacher, just in a different way.
I could do it. I could make kids fall in love with learning. I could manage the classroom copying all my mentor’s tricks. I could actually love this job.
I was shocked. I felt like God had played the biggest trick on me of all time. He led me in steps down the path to teaching and I dragged my feet the whole way. But I kept going. He used it. He used my messy, “not going to use this degree” attitude to push me toward something he knew I would love all along. That’s how good he is.
So here I am. About to walk into my seventh year of teaching (like WHAT?! I still feel like the new kid on the block!) I am grateful and humbled to do what I do. And I’m honored to share it with you.
What is your story like? Give us the brief below. Each story is beautiful in its own way.
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Wow! God is so good! What an amazing story! I feel like I am very similar to you. I have always loved kids, playing with kids, and taking care of them. I love your ideas & I’’m so happy I found you on IG. I’m starting my 7th year as a 2nd grade teacher as well! I’m from Tennessee, and I started off wanting to be a nurse. Teaching is my fit, and I’m so happy to be where I am, today. ❤️
Ah Ashlyn, wow!!! We have so many similarities! 2nd grade sisters for life! I also thought seriously about nursing…butttt when I learned about all the science courses I would need I quickly tapped out. lol. So glad to have you here!