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Share your story of how you came to be where you are in Christian education. Have you shared this story with your students?
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I am a trained medical professional (Physician Assistant). I had always wanted to be in medicine since I was a child. I also always felt called to be in ministry. I was struggling with how much my work was taking me away from my family. My husband and I were concerned about how we were going to handle family dynamics with our 5 year old about to start Kindergarten at the Christian school 25 minutes away, and both of us with such demanding careers. At that time he was traveling a few times a year, and it would be very difficult for me to make clinic hours work around her school pick-up and drop-off (not to mention the other children having to get to the home daycare). It was very heavy on our hearts. One Sunday in church the thought popped into my head, “look for a job at Lenawee Christian School.” I was thinking perhaps there would be a cleaning position or something that I could do. I pulled up their job listings and God was speaking to me in that moment. They were looking for a high school Biology teacher. Although, I was not a licensed teacher I did have a Bachelor’s in Biology and had been adjunct faculty at a college nearby. My husband called the head of school for me the next day since I was in surgery all day. The head of school said he would very much like to meet. The rest is history. There were some concerns for our family taking such a substantial pay cut, but we knew God was opening doors for our family and allowing me to be involved in ministry. So we leapt…and here we are four years later. I love teaching science through a Biblical worldview.
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I went to a Christian school as a child, and when I became a teacher it was always my desire to teach at a Christian school. I taught in the public school system for 18 years and I had put that dream on the backburner because of finances and the lack of a good Christian school in our are. Then, God answered my prayer and a new school began in our area and God made a way for me to be there.
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I went into the mission field with a GED in 1997. God sent me to Asia. It was originally for a year, but 1 year turned into 10 years. During that time, I became a pastor, was ordained, and did undergraduate work in theology. Eventually, I would earn my MTh (ThM) in 2009 from Bangor University in England. I flew into England and back to Taiwan for field research in missiology. I wanted to teach pastors and missionaries. I returned to the USA in 2008 and pastored a church in Portland, OR. in 2017, God called me to a small school of discipleship in Eastern WA called DNA Academy. I held to develop their entire high school discipleship process. DNA served public high school kids offering dual credit courses in Bible and theology at zero hours and after school. Only Bible and theology. The vision was to offer private Christian education to public high school students. These courses were regionally accredited. I worked for DNA Academy for 4 years. I left in May of this year, 2021. I sent out my resume and have now been hired at Valley Christian High School in San Jose. VCHS is an excellent college prep school. I know I am where God has sent me. I love these kids, I love the King, and I love His kingdom.
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I had always taught in a public University. For 10 years. We went to church and we made the decision to raise our three children in the church. It was not until my daughter’s 8th grade year that God opened the door for me. We were looking for a place for her to go to high school. We started the process at a Christian High School not far from our house. We had a family interview as part of the process of application. After in interview was over, which lasted about an hour, the principal walked our family to the office. As we were preparing to leave he mentioned that there was a position open to teach economics part time in the next academic year. I said that I would think about it. My daughter was accepted and we can to prepare for her graduation and transition. My daughter went to the volleyball camp over the summer. As I was picking her up one day, the principal mentioned the position again. I was surprised that it had not been filled after a month had gone by. I spoke with my husband, and we decided I should apply. The process continued to naturally unfold. Needless to say, I was invited to teach one course that year. Little did I know, God had other plans. At the end of the year, I was moved to a full time position. The school became our home. The students have stretched me in my faith and I have learned just as much from them as they have from me. I was not looking for a job or a new opportunity, but God had other plans. He kept this door open for me. He waited until it was His time. I have never looked back.
I have shared my story in a shorter version to demonstrate to my students that it is important to listen to God and to try to find His will for your life. -
I came to Christian education because I was born again last year. I prayed to God on what he wanted in my life. He spoke by granting me an interview with a Christian school. I haven’t shared this with students. I will though.
