On Friday, I was nominated as Malcom Bridge Elementary's teacher of the year. Smack dab in the middle of a routine spelling test (typically a less than momentous occasion) we paused while Mrs. Roper came over the intercom to draw everyone's attention. I knew I was one of the nominees, but did not know what the next moments would hold for me. Mrs. Roper is so eloquent when she speaks over the intercom. She built up the moment by saying, "I have a special person with me to help me announce this year's teacher of the year" and then passed it off to a much smaller voice who said, "my mom, Julie McCullers." She obviously knows how to pull at my heartstrings! Of course I had to shed a tear or two. I have had mixed emotions- humbled by the nomination, honored bythe title, inadequate to represent a faculty that brings such a wealth of expertise to our profession.
Hearing my son announce my name on Friday was overwhelming. It was a full-circle kind of moment. I flashed back to my very first visit to this school. I was in my ninth month of my first pregnancy,carrying him. I waddled in to my interview with Andrea and Billy. I think they were scared, not by my resume, but by my condition. I don’t know this for certain, but I am pretty sure they skipped a few of the normal questions for fear that I could go into labor at any moment.
The reason I was interviewing was because of my Cam. I had taught four years at a sweet, sweet school that was about 40 minutes from home. As the wife of a teacher, I knew I would not be assuming the role of stay-at-home mom. And although I had yet to meet him, I could not imagine being so far away from my baby. Being here would put me much, much closer to him.
One week later, I was in labor, and had not given the interview too much thought, considering the many preparations underway for the life-altering event that was about to take place. However, I was reminded that God is in control of every detail of my life – every single one.
The nurse who was with me asked me about my job. I told her all about being a teacher and all about my students, much more than she ever needed to know. I even remember telling her where my students were at that particular moment in their school day schedule. She told me about her own children and where they went to school, which just so happened to be Malcom Bridge Elementary. We were taken aback by our common thread –MBES – and how I had just interviewed there the week before.
Nurse Tiffany was so complimentary of my demeanor during labor. She noted that if I could be so pleasant during labor, she could only imagine what kind of teacher I was. She even planned to email Mrs. Roper to give her own recommendation. And that she did. Before I left the hospital, she checked in on me and brought me a copy of the email she sent.
That moment in my life is pivotal to my faith. I was reminded that He has it all worked out for His purpose. I didn’t have to fret over my uncertain future as a new mother who didn’t even know where she was going to teach upon her return from maternity leave. He had it all planned according to His purpose.
And I have felt His presence guiding my footsteps while at MBES. He is with me each day – in the deep relationships I have built with colleagues, in the faces of the many children who have called me their teacher, and yes, even in the moments of frustration and despair. I am so thankful He led me to this place and put me right where I needed to be.
I pray I may use this moment...this platform...this honor...this title for His glory.
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