Pull up a Chair!

During my time in the UAE, there has been a lot of down time.  Long rides on the bus and lots of alone time in my apartment to think about my life have helped me examine my life and how I came to be here.  This has been a journey of self-discovery as well as an adventure to broaden my horizons.

It all began:

My parents were married at a young age and suffered through a miscarriage and losing a one-year old child to sudden crib death before my birth.  As you can imagine, they were overprotective of me because Mom wasn’t supposed to be able to have any children.  I was the miracle they’d wished for.  Neither of my parents graduated high school and had low level jobs in the community.  What they couldn’t give me in things, they made up for in love. 

Growing up in a small town can be a blessing or curse depending on the situation.   My Dad had a drinking problem and everyone in the community knew it.  I was never able to have friends over to spend the night because never knew if he would be drunk or not.  Most of my time was spent at home with my family and close neighbors.  My grandmother and I spent lots of time together because Momma was working.  She instilled my love for reading. 

When I went to school, there was no kindergarten so I began in 1^st grade.  On the first day, Mrs. Hester stood at the front of the room and called my name.  Others giggled and pointed at me.  I was dressed different than the other little girls.  My parents did the best they could, but didn’t have a lot of money.  Told my Mom and next day of school, I wore a dress just like the other little girls with patten leather shoes. 

I was very shy.  Momma told me not to speak unless spoken to.  When the teacher passed out the “Dick and Jane” readers, I was excited….books…..I loved books.  To her surprise, I could read the book very well.  There was a boy who sat behind me that couldn’t read.  Mrs. Hester asked me to help her “teach” him.  I loved helping him learn to read.  Decided then and there that I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up.

As time passed by, school proved to be very easy for me. Teachers liked me because I did my work and never was any trouble.  Socially, I was still having trouble connecting with others.  At recess, no one played with me and I felt very lonely. 

By Middle School, the popular, well-dressed kids began to bully me.  In Mrs. Edna Gay’s Math class I sat on the front row…yep, smarty up front J.  At the end of class, my long, beautiful hair was covered with spit balls.  The teacher was oblivious to what was going on and they took advantage of it. I dressed different and acted different, so I was the brunt of all jokes.  During these hard years, Jennifer Iddings and Terri Mayo were good friends to me. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it. 

One day I had had enough.  The popular kids were picking on me unmercifully.  I threw a dodge ball into the face of one the bullies and was sent to the office with the other kid.  Told the principal about how they’d been torturing me and he forgave my offense.  The first time I stood up for myself….the bullying slowed down immensely and some of the “popular” kids started talking to me.  Should’ve thrown a ball sooner! J

In 8^th grade, our high school was consolidated with Randolph County and started attending Randolph-Clay.  Best thing that could’ve ever happened.  The small town bullies were diluted into the general population and all the others from Randolph County did not know my family or about my father’s drinking problem.  I had a second chance to High school was much more enjoyable for me.  Let my brain, work ethic and good personality show to others.  Started to come out of my shell and become involved in school activities.  The Y-Club, a Christian organization for High schoolers, helped me spend time with other Christians and learn valuable social skills.  Mrs. Judy Walters and Joe Walters were two of my favorite people!  Mrs. Walters had big parties at her house…..loved those and had so much time fellowshipping with my friends. 

The biggest turning point in my life was meeting Mrs. Brenda Morrison. She taught English.  Our class would be performing the school play and going to regional competition.  Now, remember, I don’t like to talk in front of crowds…still very shy.  She chose me for the opening line of the play.  All eyes would be looking at me…burning a hole through me.  It was my worst nightmare.  I practiced and practiced in front of the mirror.  My Mom knew the lines because she heard them so much. 

On the first day of practice, I was very nervous.  There was a box on stage and I had to crawl out of the box and recite the opening lines.  I didn’t understand projection of voice at the time and she said, “Open your mouth and be proud of what you have to say.  Strong people have a strong voice.”  From that day forward, I took this to heart.  Became stronger in my performance on stage and off. 

Mrs. Judy Walters encouraged me to compete in a competition for Christian speakers at our Y-Club conference.  I worked for days on writing the speech and practiced for weeks.  When the time came, I made speech without any notes and brought the house down!  Won 1^st place in the competition!  Of all the accomplishments in my life, this is my most treasured.  I did it! Mrs. Walters saw the potential in me and I will always be thankful to her.  From a shy mouse to a confident person…quite a voyage. 

As High School ended, there was a new mountain to climb…college.  I was the first person in my family to graduate high school and now the first to go to college.  From the beginning, I knew that Early Childhood was my major.  All the teachers who helped me along the way made my choice easy.  I would be the caring teacher who loved my students and taught them as much as possible to help prepare them for the world.  Loved my classes and thrived there.

Socially, I was being successful.  Joined the Baptist Student Union and spent many, many days there.  Marshall Kerlin, our minister, was great.  He and his wife Becky made me part of their lives.  The BSU family became my “family”.  2^nd year of college, I became the Social/Intramural Director, my first leadership job.

  

College was great. It was here that I discovered “WHO” I was.  There were no limits on me.  No one knew about my family and I could become whomever I wished.  At college, I went from being called “Chris” to “Christine”….much more mature…right? 

One night on a visit home for the weekend, I went to a Valentine’s Day dance with a person from my hometown…big mistake.  Several weeks when I came home again, he invited me over for dinner with his family.  Never met them before, but knew who they were.  It’s a small town.  When his Mom and I were in the kitchen getting dinner ready, she said, “Our son doesn’t need to hang out with people like you…you’ll never do anything with your life!  We know who your parents are!!!” 

This hurt me to the core, but didn’t let her see that.  I dropped him like a hot potato and throughout the years I've sent his Mom a copy of each of my degrees….Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Specialist….Guess she was wrong!

As I began working as a teacher, the days were filled with trials, tribulations, and many joys.  All the hugs and smiles made up for all the tough days as a teacher.  I knew that teaching was my God given talent and was affirmed in my classroom.

After 2 years of teaching, I met the love of my life, Dan, and we were married.  Shortly thereafter, we had two children, Danielle and Shelby, my sunshine.  I went back to college to work on my Reading Specialist and increased my knowledge to help the students. 

Years have passed and I’ve taught everything from KG-2^nd grade, acted as a Reading Specialist, taught GTL (for at risk readers), and worked as a Reading Consultant for our local RESA.  I loved helping other teachers learn new strategies to help their students.  Kaye McClung was my mentor during this time and she taught me so much about being a good person, a good leader, and a lady.  I would not be who I am today without her!

When the grant money for my job ended, I worked in Dooly County for 1 year and obtained a job in Crisp County as a 1^st grade teacher.  Very quickly, administration saw that I was a good teacher.  At the beginning on my 2^nd year, a leadership position of Academic Coach became available and was asked to apply.  I would have to leave the classroom in November and work between two schools.  Prayed a lot about it and decided to make the move.

It was during this 10 year opportunity, that I saw some of the best teaching ever.  I was so fortunate to work with teachers from Blackshear Trail and J.S. Pate Elementary.  During this time, I learned so much about myself as a person and a leader.  Confidence in my knowledge of teaching and organizational skills increased.  Plan A, B, C, and D developed during this time. 

Everything was a well-oiled machine and clicking along.  One day a phone call came out of the blue and offered a job in the UAE.  Prayed a lot about what God wanted for me. Felt like God was leading me to take the position.  Things happened within the Crisp County School System that verified my decision was the right move.  Thank you to all the people in Crisp County that helped me grow as a person and a leader.

Now I’m 40 something years old and 7000 miles from home in a foreign country teaching.  Never would I have imagined this for my life. Without the support of my family and friends, I would never have been able to make it here.  God prepared me for this beginning all those years ago. God has a plan for my life and can’t wait to see where it leads. Until we meet again! :)