Kristy awoke at dawn that Tuesday morning. A chill in the air reminded her to grab a sweater on the way to her car. As she carefully made her way down the road to the high school, her thoughts were quickly drawn to the students in her class.

Having been a teacher for a number of years, Kristy often grew close and bonded with her students. Teaching high school students was a blessing, a challenge, and something she continued to enjoy. Her job also provided many opportunities for Kristy to share her faith in God.

Pursuing a Dream

Kristy had always wanted to be a teacher. As a child she and her friends often played school. Kristy preferred playing the teacher. In addition to the desire God had put on her heart as a young girl, Kristy was also raised in a Christian home. She and her parents were active in their church, both in service and in leadership. Kristy became a helper in the Sunday school classes at an early age. Her mom taught Sunday school, and Kristy begged her to let her be a helper rather than go to her own class.

While earning her bachelors and masters degrees in education, Kristy student taught at a school that was very different than the school where she presently works. The school of her training was in a relatively poor neighborhood and Kristy worked with many kids who were being raised by single parents who had difficulty putting food on the table.

In contrast, Kristy presently works in an affluent area where students often have two parents and basic needs are not a problem. One truth Kristy discovered while working in two vastly different schools is that kids everywhere have the same basic needs. Even though the kids in the affluent area often had two parents, many were in blended families with a step dad or step mom. In addition, both parents work, leaving little family time at the end of the day.

Fulfilling a Ministry

Kristy discovered that all kids need security, encouragement, and a loving family. As a Christian, Kristy also knows her sense of fulfillment and joy in life come from knowing the Lord and living for him.

Kristy is careful not to cross the boundaries with students and teachers when sharing her Christian faith. If a student, parent, or teacher brings up the issue of faith, she is quick to answer questions. Occasionally one of Kristy’s students will bring up the issue of faith or church. If this happens during school time, she tells students they can talk more about it during lunch or after school. During non-school hours, she tries to let the students guide the conversation. Although no Christian club presently meets on their campus, Kristy has offered her classroom as a location if one is organized.

One year, during one of her parent-teacher conferences, the mother of one of her students was having difficulty controlling her emotions. Kristy carefully inquired to see if something was the matter. The parent began to talk about some of the problems they were experiencing at home. When asked what Kristy does to handle problems, she explained that her faith in God and involvement the church have been her foundation. The parent, who admitted the family had stopped attending church, thanked Kristy for her advice and encouragement. At the end of the conference, the parent asked Kristy to keep her and her family in prayer.

Situations like that do not happen every day; however, Kristy knows that sharing her faith can be done in simple ways. When teachers gather in the lounge or for meetings, she tries to discourage gossip and does not join in when it happens. In addition, she is not hesitant to say that she is going to church or to a church event if a teacher, staff member, or student asks her what she is doing over the weekend. She has even had an occasional request for more information about her church, which she readily provides.

Kristy works hard as a teacher to challenge and encourage her students so they can reach their full potential. It is easy to encourage them, knowing that each one is created by God with a specific purpose in mind. As a young child Kristy had two loves: teaching and God. As an adult, she is excited that she has been able to combine the two and do what she loves best—teach students and share her faith. |L

Susanne Dacus graduated from Pacific Christian College with a degree in Christian Education. She and her husband Brad work with Pacific Justice Institute in Citrus Heights, California. Brad and Susanne reside in Sacramento, California with their two children.