How I Got Here...
Behind the Scenes
As a child, I consistently entertained the idea of becoming a teacher when I grew up. My mom has been an elementary teacher since before I was born and education seemed like a natural fit for me.
When I entered high school, I became interested in other careers, such as Journalism, and I considered the possibility of attending a large college. Despite this interest, one thing encouraged me to pursue a degree in teacher education and, likewise, to attend a small college in Northeast Georgia: community.
Toccoa Falls
On my first official visit to Toccoa Falls College, I noticed and fell in love with the community and the opportunities for relationship-building I saw there. After enrolling as a student, I began observing classes at local public school, volunteering with middle school students, and teaching English as a Second Language to Hispanic adults in the area, and it was then that I realized a large portion of teaching is the relationship-building. It was at TFC where I also felt my heart for teaching overseas.
How I Got Here...
Behind the Scenes
As a child, I consistently entertained the idea of becoming a teacher when I grew up. My mom has been an elementary teacher since before I was born and education seemed like a natural fit for me.
When I entered high school, I became interested in other careers, such as Journalism, and I considered the possibility of attending a large college. Despite this interest, one thing encouraged me to pursue a degree in teacher education and, likewise, to attend a small college in Northeast Georgia: community.
On my first official visit to Toccoa Falls College, I noticed and fell in love with the community and the opportunities for relationship-building I saw there. After enrolling as a student, I began observing classes at local public school, volunteering with middle school students, and teaching English as a Second Language to Hispanic adults in the area, and it was then that I realized a large portion of teaching is the relationship-building. It was at TFC where I also felt my heart for teaching overseas.
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| Toccoa Falls |
Adventures in Asia, Part One
Summer 2012
Adventures in Asia, Part One
Humbly, I must admit that Asia was never my first choice. I inquired about serving with an organization that sends believing English teachers to Asia because I was excited about the possibility of spending my summer teaching in another country. Gently, though, my heart was awakened to Asia specifically, especially when I became aware of the need within the 10-40 window. It was the people I met there who changed my life.
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| My class from Summer 2012. |
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| Teaching on the first day of class, July 2012. |
In the Meantime
Before I left for Hong Kong, I considered the possibility of completing my student teaching overseas. Once I returned, however, I was definitely sure I wanted to teach overseas. The desire to serve families with children living in foreign countries was too great for me to pass up. I became interested in people who are called expatriates, those who have left their home countries for any number of reasons. I felt a longing to serve third culture kids, MKs, diplomat or military kids, and other types of "expat" families and children.
I applied to complete my student teaching through Interaction International, an organization that serves Third Culture Kids. Their student teaching arm, CCTECC, became my best friend while I was navigating the waters of applications and potential schools.
Adventures in Asia, Part Two
Spring 2014
Throughout college, I have participated in several field experiences in which I have visited the local schools to complete observations or practice teaching. All of these contact hours culminate during my final semester of college into student teaching: the capstone twelve-week experience consisting of an entire semester's worth of teaching practice. Student teaching contains observations of a full-time classroom teacher as well as teaching classes under the guidance of that full-time teacher.Like I said, since I've returned from Hong Kong, my heart has been drawn back to Asia. I filled out the application for overseas student teaching and gave it to my college's CCTECC representative, also a favorite professor of mine, in early November 2012.
Then I waited. I received acknowledgement from CCTECC that I had been accepted! And then I waited some more. Arrangements had to be made, people had to be contacted, time zones had to be crossed. On January 15th, 2013, I received an email announcing that my placement had been secured and an official confirmation would be forthcoming.
Thailand. Wow! I can't wait.
Adventures in Asia, Part Three
???
My future is like a stepping stone path in a garden in which the Son only reveals one step at a time. While this is often frustrating, it is also exciting, because it leaves me open to his direction. I still have a very small idea of what I want to do when I graduate, where I want to go, how I want to live. But I'm realizing that is okay.
I will be the light of the world, the city on a hill, wherever he places me and with whomever he places me. Within his guidance, I am free to follow my dreams, and I believe he will guide my path as I throw caution to the wind and continue on this beautiful, amazing, adventurous journey.
My future is like a stepping stone path in a garden in which the Son only reveals one step at a time. While this is often frustrating, it is also exciting, because it leaves me open to his direction. I still have a very small idea of what I want to do when I graduate, where I want to go, how I want to live. But I'm realizing that is okay.
I will be the light of the world, the city on a hill, wherever he places me and with whomever he places me. Within his guidance, I am free to follow my dreams, and I believe he will guide my path as I throw caution to the wind and continue on this beautiful, amazing, adventurous journey.
I will be the light of the world, the city on a hill, wherever he places me and with whomever he places me. Within his guidance, I am free to follow my dreams, and I believe he will guide my path as I throw caution to the wind and continue on this beautiful, amazing, adventurous journey.
