Did He Really Ask Me That?

"How long have you been teaching?"

I looked at the 9th-grade student who'd interrupted my Geometry lesson with an unrelated question. His expression gave me no indication as to his inquiry. I study the equation on the board and wondered if I'd made a mistake.

All the doubts I've struggled with in teaching bombarded my thoughts. What makes you think you can teach math? You don't have a math degree. What if you're teaching the concepts wrong? What if they don't understand the way you teach?

I took a deep breath and let it out before I addressed the student on the front row. "Are you asking how long I've been teaching math?"

He slouched in his chair. "Yeah."

He thinks I'm a bad teacher. This was a student I'd already written up...twice. His mom was a fellow teacher.

I prepared for the worse. "This is my second year."

He raised his eyebrow. "Really?"

Here it comes.

He smiled. "You really know your stuff. You're a good teacher."

A good teacher?

"Thank you." I turned back to the board and finished the equation.

I expected a confrontation, God gave me confirmation. And a reason to smile for the rest of the day.

Each school year brings challenges with curriculum and students. Along with doubts. When my doubts point to my own inabilities I know I'm not trusting my Heavenly Father with what He's given me an opportunity to do.

I'm not perfect, but I am passionate about teaching. And I'm passionate about the lives God allows me to touch. Someone told me years ago, when God calls, He is able to complete in me what I am not. How thankful I am that He is able, even when it comes to Geometry.

I love what I do!