“How do you feel about not returning to school?”
“How are you doing?”
“I wanted to check in and make sure you were doing okay with the back-to-school season.”
As students, teachers, and other staff members are heading back to school, these are the responses I am getting from people.
Why?
Because, for the past several years, I made it pretty obvious that I LOVED my job, my school, and, most importantly, my kids.
Therefore, it would make sense for me to be really struggling with my decision to not return to the classroom this year (or ever?!).
And, believe me, I thought I would struggle when everyone returned to school.
But I’m not struggling.
I mean, yes, I had a split-second, internal breakdown when I walked through the school supplies section at Walmart, but, overall, I’m doing alright.
Here is how I’m feeling about this new direction:
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Peaceful.
When I began teaching, I said that I felt called to a junior high classroom, and I was. The fact that I am doing something different now does not change the fact that I believe I was exactly where I needed to be. Working at Nixa Junior High was a dream, and big, wonderful things happened in my three years there (four if I include a practicum and student teaching). I am so thankful for the opportunity to pour into the lives of the hundreds of kids who walked through the doorway of my classroom.
With that being said, I have peace with this new direction. I really believe that I made the right decision to step out of the classroom, even if it felt bittersweet. Following Jesus is my greatest journey, and I have peace in going where He leads.
2. Excited.
The relationships I built in Nixa are strong.
Last week alone, I had eight kids and a couple of parents visit me at the coffee shop. Several others have told me that they will be visiting soon.
You know what that means?
It means that I’m still getting to do all of my favorite parts of teaching—building relationships, being a role model, teaching life lessons, and encouraging my kids; I’m just not in a classroom. Oh, and since I’m no longer a contracted teacher, I can now share the most important, encouraging, wonderful part of my life with them—my faith.
I’m excited, eager, and ecstatic to continue being a support to these kids, even outside of the Nixa city limits.
3. Full of Purpose.
Though I am no longer a teacher by traditional standards, I AM still a teacher. I’ve become incredibly involved at my church, and I have had so many new opportunities to minister to those around me. Being entrusted with new ministry opportunities in which I am able to share Jesus, my hope for the future, with people in a more direct way is giving me purpose in a whole new (and even greater) way.
Additionally, working at Architect Coffee Co. has been a wonderful and humbling experience.
While I hope to learn more about the coffee side of things one day, I currently work in the kitchen. For a variety of reasons, working in a kitchen is something that I never, ever expected to do.
But here’s what I’ve learned: part of my primary purpose in life is to love and serve people, and, in my role there, I get to do just that. I am absolutely loving and serving people, just in a different way than I loved and served in the classroom.
I truly enjoy playing a part in customers’ overall experience and helping create an environment that fosters relationship building and community, among other things.
It’s really beautiful to be a part of all that is happening at Architect.
4. Content.
Going on the World Race is my next step, but, after that, the future is unknown (and let’s be honest, even the World Race feels a bit unknown since it’s impossible to know what to expect in eleven months away from home).
Although I don’t know what the future holds, I feel content knowing who holds my future.
I appreciate how considerate many of you have been in reaching out to me to see how I’m doing as the new school year begins, but rest assured that I feel peaceful, excited, full of purpose, and content.
As always, thank you for being a part of my journey.
XO,
Jami
P.S. I leave for the World Race in under five months. WHAT?! If you are interested in joining my financial support team and being a part of what God is doing in and through me in a tangible way, please contact me for more information, or click the ‘Donate’ button on my blog. And whether or not you are able/choose to give financially at this time, please know how much I would covet your prayers for all that is to come.
This is going to be an experience like nothing I’ve ever experienced, and I am beyond thankful to have so many people in my corner, supporting me each step of the way.
