About a year ago, when I was getting ready to go to HDS, they sent me information about a secondary teacher certification program I could do in addition to my MDiv. I looked at it and thought, "Hmm. Maybe I should check that out. I might want to work in a school someday." I had this weird image of my future self as a beleaguered education professional - bogged down by the bureaucracy, but loving my work with young people.
And here I am - except that I bypassed the MDiv and the Haverford-esque schools I imagined myself at, and went straight to work at an alternative school based in peace, justice and sustainability. I marvel at that some days - no masters, but here I am, with a good job that integrates a lot of my skills and interests.
I still have moments when I feel unprepared. I haven't read through the readings as thoroughly as I would like, I'm a little rusty on Peace Studies and peace activism, I haven't trained formally as a teacher....
But I also have moments when I feel really ready. I've spent a lot of time with teenagers. I know them - none of these kids so far, with all of their quirks, are more than I can handle.
And when I think of how I've been prepared, I think of all of the teachers, youth group leaders, elders and mentors who have invited me to learning, let me learn by doing, walked with me, and most of all, prepared me for this work by preparing my heart.
