I’ve got some big, surprising, exciting news:

I’m becoming an elementary teacher!

A lot has changed for me in the me the past month in ways I believe only God could do. It’s been miraculous and beautiful and life giving. I can’t wait to tell you the whole story. But first, what hasn’t changed? Our home, our neighboring lifestyle, our Evergreen Church, our pastoring our house church. For the first time in 14 years of marriage both Kevin and I feel confident and thrilled to be staying put. We are rooting down right here: in this home, in this neighborhood, in Ypsi. I can’t tell you how good it feels to be able to say this. 

What has changed can only be described by saying, “Only God could do this!” 

This week I started as a long-term sub in the 5th Grade classroom where I’ll soon be employed as full time teacher.

And you all know how much we love living local? Well my educator career is anchored at the elementary school 5 blocks from our house. Look at God! I am thrilled! (Yup, the same school where Kirsten is in 1st grade and Junia attends preschool less than a block away.) 

How did this happen? 
About a month ago I started paying attention to what was bringing tears to my eyes, consistently making me cry with passion. I kept hearing the song lyric in my mind: Break my heart for what breaks yours, God. 

The thing I care about most in the world is creating space for children to be safe & loved in order to unlock their beauty. 

And so one evening* during one of our typical existential-philosophical conversations about career and vocation, Kevin asked, “What if you became a teacher? Our elementary school has a vital need to fill 3 classroom teacher positions. What if you went over to the principal and asked if you could get the job with some sort of emergency certification?“

Cue tears…tears of longing and desire. I sobbed like I never sob. I didn’t know I wanted to do something this badly. In the depths of my being I knew immediately: I am going to be a teacher. 

*October 10 to be exact

But how? Are you certified to teach? 

I have considered post-baccalaureate certification from EMU multiple times (especially since leaving my past ministry post in May), but it just felt like so long before actually getting into the classroom (2 years). And I considered this back in 2012 when we lived near Roberts Wesleyan College. And I’ve worked for the substitute staffing system in Monroe in multiple different years. And I’ve run a piano studio with 30 students. And I’ve taught yoga and spoke at young teen camps and been a youth pastor and had dozens of middle schoolers in my house on a regular basis.

God putting me in a 5th grade classroom is like the culmination of these life experiences. So beautiful, so scary-exciting. 

So for the past 3 weeks I have been in a whirlwind of process documentation. I wrote the most wholehearted cover letter I’ve ever written and had a face-to-face meeting with the principal who offered me a classroom on the spot. I researched the state Interim Teacher Certification, and the school principal and district HR will honor an ITC as soon as I pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC).

I then proceeded to study, take, and PASS the MTTC. (🤯!!) I then applied for and completed my First Aid/CPR/AED training. I have applied for and been accepted and enrolled into the #TEACH training educators program (which is a state-recognized alternative route to teacher certification.) I completed my finger printing and checked all the boxes to become an EduStaff employee. (EduStaff is Michigan’s substitute teacher staffing agency.) This way the principal can get me in the classroom as a long-term sub a couple weeks ahead of the state officially verifying my ITC.     

⬇️I’m pretty sure this guy and I worked together to get through ALL THE PAPERWORK. 

This past week was my first in the classroom. And YOU GUYS. God has answered every single one of my prayers and more than I asked for: 

• an incredible lead teacher/mentor (Ms. N) to work with and learn from
• a warm welcome and wonderful connections with the staff I’ve met
• an awesome parapro to team up with in my classroom
• a classroom with a full wall of windows (rather than an interior room)
• only 1 headache (from a chronic headache sufferer this is miraculous!)
• a small class size
• and really great new life rhythms for our family.

I am continuing my missional work in our neighborhood. I am continuing pastoral ministry with Evergreen Church. I am continuing to co-lead our House Church. And I am getting to shepherd the hearts of students every day, helping them see their beloved-ness and maybe even catch glimpses of God’s Kingdom in our classroom.  

I am thriving. I have found the place where my deep gladness meets the world’s deep need. (Frederick Buechner)