For all of my life, my family has been in education. My grandfather was the head of the chemistry department at the University of West Florida for many years, my mother a guidance counselor for Escambia County, and my aunt a high school science teacher in various places. One of my most treasured mentors still to this day was a professor from my college days.
The common thread that I’ve always admired in educators is not the number of degrees they carry, or the subject they teach. What sets a teacher apart from the rest of us is the way that they see.
By seeing, I don’t mean perfect vision, or how quickly their eyes trace across the pages that they read. Teachers have a way of seeing below the surface of their students. They see potential and capabilities living within us that others may have trouble noticing.
My second grade teacher recognized my vision was struggling, she suggested to my parents that I may need glasses to read. Sure enough, my vision was worse than we expected, and I have since been blessed by her noticing. My fourth grade teacher called me out for my character. She’d voted me the peacemaker of the class, an honor that I’ll always treasure.
I consider this type of seeing a supernatural power. A true calling that comes from our Heavenly King.
Despite growing up and graduating out of the traditional system of schooling, we never stop learning. This means that we are met with teachers throughout all stages of maturing.
I’d never truly grasped the power of this seeing until I found myself reflecting on a story from my own testimony.
There was a time in my life where I found myself seriously struggling. I lacked confidence and the direction I was going. I’d been intimidated by most everyone and everything. Especially the professor I’d mentioned earlier, as she stood before the class with a confidence that felt electrifying. She’d told us in the early days of the class that the course would be an easy A. To my disappointment, I’d found myself at the end with a failing grade.
I’d never imagined myself walking up to her door to ask for help. Something about being at the rock bottom of my reality led me to think that was the only next step.
As I approached her door, I knew I had nothing else to lose. The worst she could say was “too bad so sad” and I’d walk away without knowing what to do.
The good news erupted when I walked in the door. She asked me to have a seat and almost immediately said, “This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”
This woman who intimidated me and gave me a failing grade, was waiting for me to knock on her door. Our conversation was full of tears, hope, and the encouragement to move forward.
My professor saw me for me. She saw and helped me to see how much I was worth.
From that moment forward she walked with me closely, she introduced Jesus to me in a way that I’d not met Him before. She bought me my first real bible, my name carved into the bottom corner.
She helped me to see what she saw in me. Without her intercession in my life, I’m not sure where I’d be.
Through her teaching, not only in school, I was able to learn about the goodness of God and how Jesus still moves.
No longer was faith too far off to see. Jesus gave these educators the gift of helping us to believe. It starts out as believing in the lessons they teach. This evolves into believing that we can do anything. If we are lucky enough to meet a teacher of faith, we learn the best lesson of all, that Jesus everything.
As we release our children into the arms of their schools, I encourage you to trust that God is always good. No human is perfect and mistakes will be made. Though the word of God doesn’t tell us that life will always be a piece of cake.
Through the challenges, the let downs, and the struggling grades, there are educators caring for your children who see them exactly how they were made.
God’s word tells us that He knew us when we were in the womb. We are beautiful, unique, and wonderful in our own way. For the teachers who help us to see this truth, my hope is that you feel my deepest gratitude.
I speak for the others who know this truth too. Thank you for accepting this special calling, for we would not be who we are without you!
May you be filled with peace, and protection as you enter the new school year. I’m confident your work as an educator has our Father in Heaven smiling big from ear to ear.
Peace be with you always, all ways.
Makenna Curtis
Faith & Entertainment Writer
Local Pulse Pensacola
