I have spent the day working on lesson plans and ideas in preparation for the new school year, and I couldn’t be more excited. I truly love that I get to work with students. This year marks my eighth year in the classroom, and I don’t take for granted the privilege of teaching in a school where I can freely live out my faith and share what a relationship with Christ looks like.
The past two years, I’ve also been given the opportunity to serve as our school’s House Community Director. In this role, I also teach a Christian Leadership class. In this class, I work with students to equip them to build authentic community among our student body and confidently share their faith within our school. Helping young people become strong, servant-hearted leaders who follow the example of Jesus has been a passion of mine for many years.
For even longer, I’ve dreamed of being a writer and speaker. Through my experiences as both a teacher and a mom of three, God has continued to open doors for me to share my stories and lessons beyond the classroom. As I reflected on preparing for this new school year, I realized those same experiences have led to opportunities I never could have planned myself.
Last year, thanks to my son, Harper, who serves as a youth pastor, I was invited to lead a breakout session for high school girls on what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman from the perspective of a young woman today. My session reached capacity, and while I was definitely nervous at first, the response from the students was incredibly encouraging. That opportunity led to another invitation this year, where I had the privilege of speaking on living out your faith at school, finding your identity in Christ instead of accomplishments, activities, friendships, or grades, and leading another session specifically for girls on what it means to live as a daughter of the King. During this last session, I had the privilege of speaking to about 200 students and adult women all at once. It was surreal, to say the least.
Earlier this year, I also had the opportunity to speak with adult volunteers who work with youth about recognizing leadership potential in their students and empowering those young leaders to build stronger, Christ-centered communities within their youth groups.
All of these opportunities have reminded me how much I love sharing the ways God has worked in my own life and encouraging the next generation to embrace the incredible plans He has for them.
This may be a different kind of post, but I feel like the Lord has been prompting me to share it. If you’re looking for someone to speak to your students, youth group, or young adults, I would truly love the opportunity. Whether it’s encouraging students to find their identity in Christ, live out their faith with confidence, or develop as servant leaders, my heart is to point them to Jesus and equip them to make an impact where God has placed them.
I’m currently updating my website and finishing a student devotional that I’m excited to share soon.
If you’ve made it this far and think your church, school, or student ministry could benefit from one of these conversations, I’d love to connect.
Stepping out in faith. 🤍
~ TDB
