Hello and welcome!
Thanks for stopping by to learn more about me! If you don't know already, I love what I do and I hope that shows. I'm not ashamed to admit how much I love being in the classroom, because it takes up a huge chunk of my life. You know that really cheesy quote "Teachers don't teach for the income, they do it for the outcome." Cheesy or not, that sums it up. I think the best way to understand more about me is my journey to education. Or as I like to reference it: my calling as an educator!
"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." - Frederick Buechner
my CALLING AS AN educator
For a traditional student, the college years are a very formative time and students are searching as they continue to mature into adulthood. They are searching for many things. In their professional lives, students are searching for the ideal career path, internships, resume builders, and networking opportunities. In their personal lives they are searching for long-lasting friendships, and possibly their soulmate, or the more immediate search for the perfect course schedule, cheap beer, and better roommates for next year. On top of this growing list, faculty are adding to the pressure by telling them to also search for meaning and purpose. How does one know what their purpose is in life? How does one go about trying to find it out? I can only speak of my own personal journey, so let me share and maybe we'll scratch the surface of those questions.
My Journey
After teaching full-time for about five years at the University of Mount Union, I participated in an interdisciplinary "book club" that was sponsored by the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE). I am thankful for this opportunity because I learned more about myself as an individual and as an educator through this book club and other grant-sponsored campus programming from NetVUE. When teaching at a smaller private liberal arts institution, professors are expected to step beyond the classroom much of the time into roles of advisor and mentor. Admittedly, some faculty enjoy this additional "hat" to wear, while others do not. Personally, I love the idea of mentorship beyond the four walls of my classroom. I want to walk alongside my students throughout their four years, calling out strengths and gifts that I see in them. Warning: This can also be a daunting task- one not to be taken lightly! Words have weight, especially coming from a mentor. More on this later!
Let's start with the end of the story: my "ah-ha" moment. It was a Tuesday in the fall of 2017. Dr. Nicole Johnson was moderating a session for the NetVUE book club and asked us to write a short bio about our life and the path we have walked thus far. It was during this time, and after a lot of self-reflection about my journey, that I believe I have found my vocation. My calling was in education; a pretty bold statement! So you may be thinking: "How could you ever possibly know what 'your calling' is in life?" After all, I never heard the audible voice of God telling me so. Many of my colleagues wrestled with the terms of "vocation" and "calling," especially with a missional or religious interpretation of the words. I, however, did not wrestle as much because of my Christian upbringing in a faith-based home where praying for direction in life was a familiar practice. I believe we are all called to serve and meet the needs of others in a variety of secular and faith-based roles.
Reflection
I mentioned self-reflection earlier when talking about my journey. Thinking back to high school, I really enjoyed chemistry and biology, but more specifically teaching and learning. Shout-outs to Mrs. Gehring and Mrs. McCleery for showing how fun education can be, and to Mrs. Pizanias for giving me an opportunity to be a lab assistant in her classes. When signing up for my college classes, I thought my future career was going to be in secondary education as a science or math teacher. These teachers called out my strengths and passion for education. Teachers, however, are not the only professional influence in a young person's life.
It was the summer of 2002. I, along with hundreds of other freshman, was registering for courses at Youngstown State University (YSU). While looking at my science courses for fall, my mother heartfully mentioned that my late grandfather, E. Mark Evans (the Dean of Students of the College of Business at YSU), would have loved if I followed in his footsteps and became a business major. As a searching teenager, the idea of continuing my family's legacy prompted me to change my schedule that day and I became a business major. Do you recall the warning above about the weight of words? Although I really enjoyed my time at YSU and even stuck around to get my master's degree, the impact of my mother's words instantly changed the trajectory of my life. After several years in the business world, I completely forgot about my other possible college career path.
In the fall of 2011, a former professor of mine from YSU, Mr. Mark McConnell, reached out to see if I had any interest in being a judge for a marketing plan project at the University of Mount Union and I jumped at the opportunity. After judging the final projects, he saw how much I loved retuning to the classroom and further inquired if I would be interested in an adjunct opportunity. (Thank you, Mark, for being an amazing mentor, for calling out a gift in me, and giving me an opportunity that changed my life.) This adjunct opportunity opened the door for a full-time job at the University of Mount Union and my passion for education has continually grown. My journey looks a lot different than I originally thought, but I did make it into the classroom.
So now what?
When trying to answer the original question, "How does one know what their purpose is in life?" I can only explain it as a feeling. Teaching brings me a sense purpose and meaning. Unlike previous jobs, work doesn't seem like "work." There are always elements of any job that are tedious or dry, but the majority of what I do on a daily basis is not only enjoyable, but exciting. For those that are still searching and asking "How does one go about trying to find it out?" I am reminded of my own personal process of reflection and discernment. I encourage all my students to pay attention to the classes and work that give them a sense of purpose and meaning; projects that you spend extra hours on because they draw you in. You may be sitting here reading this, not sure if you have found your calling. To you, I will say it's okay. I have worked with some faculty who are still wrestling with that question, unaware if this is what they were truly called to do. My advice and encouragement for you is to be open and continue to reflect; look for ways to add meaning and purpose right where you are.
My Journey
After teaching full-time for about five years at the University of Mount Union, I participated in an interdisciplinary "book club" that was sponsored by the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE). I am thankful for this opportunity because I learned more about myself as an individual and as an educator through this book club and other grant-sponsored campus programming from NetVUE. When teaching at a smaller private liberal arts institution, professors are expected to step beyond the classroom much of the time into roles of advisor and mentor. Admittedly, some faculty enjoy this additional "hat" to wear, while others do not. Personally, I love the idea of mentorship beyond the four walls of my classroom. I want to walk alongside my students throughout their four years, calling out strengths and gifts that I see in them. Warning: This can also be a daunting task- one not to be taken lightly! Words have weight, especially coming from a mentor. More on this later!
Let's start with the end of the story: my "ah-ha" moment. It was a Tuesday in the fall of 2017. Dr. Nicole Johnson was moderating a session for the NetVUE book club and asked us to write a short bio about our life and the path we have walked thus far. It was during this time, and after a lot of self-reflection about my journey, that I believe I have found my vocation. My calling was in education; a pretty bold statement! So you may be thinking: "How could you ever possibly know what 'your calling' is in life?" After all, I never heard the audible voice of God telling me so. Many of my colleagues wrestled with the terms of "vocation" and "calling," especially with a missional or religious interpretation of the words. I, however, did not wrestle as much because of my Christian upbringing in a faith-based home where praying for direction in life was a familiar practice. I believe we are all called to serve and meet the needs of others in a variety of secular and faith-based roles.
Reflection
I mentioned self-reflection earlier when talking about my journey. Thinking back to high school, I really enjoyed chemistry and biology, but more specifically teaching and learning. Shout-outs to Mrs. Gehring and Mrs. McCleery for showing how fun education can be, and to Mrs. Pizanias for giving me an opportunity to be a lab assistant in her classes. When signing up for my college classes, I thought my future career was going to be in secondary education as a science or math teacher. These teachers called out my strengths and passion for education. Teachers, however, are not the only professional influence in a young person's life.
It was the summer of 2002. I, along with hundreds of other freshman, was registering for courses at Youngstown State University (YSU). While looking at my science courses for fall, my mother heartfully mentioned that my late grandfather, E. Mark Evans (the Dean of Students of the College of Business at YSU), would have loved if I followed in his footsteps and became a business major. As a searching teenager, the idea of continuing my family's legacy prompted me to change my schedule that day and I became a business major. Do you recall the warning above about the weight of words? Although I really enjoyed my time at YSU and even stuck around to get my master's degree, the impact of my mother's words instantly changed the trajectory of my life. After several years in the business world, I completely forgot about my other possible college career path.
In the fall of 2011, a former professor of mine from YSU, Mr. Mark McConnell, reached out to see if I had any interest in being a judge for a marketing plan project at the University of Mount Union and I jumped at the opportunity. After judging the final projects, he saw how much I loved retuning to the classroom and further inquired if I would be interested in an adjunct opportunity. (Thank you, Mark, for being an amazing mentor, for calling out a gift in me, and giving me an opportunity that changed my life.) This adjunct opportunity opened the door for a full-time job at the University of Mount Union and my passion for education has continually grown. My journey looks a lot different than I originally thought, but I did make it into the classroom.
So now what?
When trying to answer the original question, "How does one know what their purpose is in life?" I can only explain it as a feeling. Teaching brings me a sense purpose and meaning. Unlike previous jobs, work doesn't seem like "work." There are always elements of any job that are tedious or dry, but the majority of what I do on a daily basis is not only enjoyable, but exciting. For those that are still searching and asking "How does one go about trying to find it out?" I am reminded of my own personal process of reflection and discernment. I encourage all my students to pay attention to the classes and work that give them a sense of purpose and meaning; projects that you spend extra hours on because they draw you in. You may be sitting here reading this, not sure if you have found your calling. To you, I will say it's okay. I have worked with some faculty who are still wrestling with that question, unaware if this is what they were truly called to do. My advice and encouragement for you is to be open and continue to reflect; look for ways to add meaning and purpose right where you are.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver
with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver
The summer day by Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean-- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. |
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver |