Dear Teacher,

They say, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." In my case, it should be, "Those who can't, don't teach." (I know it's a double negative and rules and such, but I'm a math major, words are hard for us.) When I started my college career last August, I was a declared Secondary Education Math major. I had dreams for my future classroom and for my future students, and I was more than ready to begin the journey of classroom observations. I was blessed with the opportunity to observe in your classroom, and after few forms, I was ready to go.

During my first observation, you talked to me about a schedule and my future plans. I told you all about how I wanted to go back to my hometown and teach math in the high school there after I graduated. You shared with me your "why I went into teaching" story and that was the end of day one. Twenty observation hours later, and I was one semester closer to being a teacher. Or so I thought. The education department at my school asked you to fill out an evaluation of me. One of the questions was simple: "Do you recommend this student for the teacher education program?" Your response was no. Needless to say, I was crushed. You didn't know this, but teaching had been a part of my "life plans" since I was 5 years old. There is something that I have been meaning to tell you, and that's why I'm writing this letter to you.

Thank you. Thank you for showing me how to be a great math teacher, giving me classroom tips and most importantly for showing me that education was not what I was supposed to do with my life. The thing is, while your answer to the evaluation's question truly broke my heart, it was one of the best things that happened to me my freshman year. The day I found out, a couple of my awesome education professors told me to go to my room and pray about it. They encouraged me to see God and ask Him if education was His plan, or mine. I listened to their advice and soon realized that being a teacher, while it had been my plan for 13 years, was never God's plan.

When I came back in January for my second semester, I officially changed my major. Now I'm a math major and a Bible minor, and I honestly could not be happier. To update you further, I was given the opportunity to serve as a staffer with CentriKid Camps last summer, a Christian camp for kids 3rd-6th grade. It was amazing. While I didn't have a love for teaching math like I thought I did, I discovered a love (and a heart) for children's ministry. Last summer I was exhausted emotionally, physically and mentally. But spiritually I was full. I went to bed around midnight (at the earliest) and woke up at 6:30 a.m. By 7 a.m., I needed to be fully awake to eat breakfast with the kids who would never tire. Through the strength of God and God alone my team was able to have energy everyday when our bodies craved sleep. The thing is, without your words, I would not have had the courage to be a CK staffer. Through your decision, God taught me to trust Him and His guidance more. I was offered the position a week before training week, and I was afraid to say yes. I would have a week to learn a Bible study, track time, team cheers and songs with their motions. God told me to go and I went.

Before I go, I wanted to thank you again for not "taking it easy" on me and recommending me for the program even though I didn't seem fit. The truth is, I really was heartbroken, but it needed to break. Thank you for everything you did for me, even though you didn't realize the impact it would truly have on my life.

Sincerely yours,

Katie D.