When Doors Open

A teacher's view on the field at the graduation ceremony behind the principals, student president and highest average students.

​"Please don't let me fall," I whispered to myself while walking behind the other teachers down the stadium bleachers to be seated. Our students were finally graduating! The day had arrived and I didn’t know who was most proud and excited, the students or me! My adrenaline rush made me feel like I was on cloud nine; God had not only blessed my students to be able to graduate but he also blessed me with an amazing job!

I always knew that I wanted to make an impact on young people, but I never dreamed of having the opportunity of doing that through teaching at the high school I once attended. I remember working on my Masters Degree while substitute teaching and trying to plan out the next steps of my life, and then it was as if God said, I have a new assignment for you. I was offered a full time teaching position and the rest was history. Marching into the stadium with my fellow teachers had to be one of the most exhilarating feelings I’ve ever experienced. The last time I marched at this stadium was when I  was a student graduating from high school! This year I was able to experience marching into graduation as a teacher. I cheered, took pictures and videoed as my students walked to receive their diplomas. I’m so grateful for this new opportunity in my life. I can’t wait to share with you the exciting things I will be doing with my students in the upcoming school year!
 
When the graduation ceremony came to a close the band begin playing the “Pomp and Circumstance” graduation song. The students marched off the field, and we (the teachers) followed shortly after. This day signified the completion of twelve years of schooling for my students, but for me it signified that and so much more. It symbolized me overcoming everything in life that happened to me up until this day.

The completion of my first year of teaching gave me confirmation on so many levels that there is nothing that God can’t bring me through. I was knocked down many times in the past. There were times when I felt like I couldn’t go any further but each time God reminded me that it wasn’t all about me or even how I felt at the moment. There were others depending on me to keep going, because they were watching me.

​It’s easier to break under pressure when it’s only you, but when others are depending on you something inside of you starts to rise up and strive to stay the course. Graduation made it clear to me that it’s my students who depend on me as well as other young people in the world who need guidance. Now I'm able to educate students who sit in the same seat that I once sat in, and this makes every struggle, every let down, and every disappointment worth it. It was all necessary for me to reach this very point in my life.

Life is not a fairytale, however when you acknowledge that you aren’t on this journey alone and that God will always be there to lead and guide you, it will help to make your burdens a little lighter. It will also remind you that there are others who are watching and their hopes, dreams and aspirations are tied to your success. You are a walking example that they can be everything that they’ve dreamed of being. So when things become uncertain in life, stay the course and God will open the exact doors he wants you to walk through.
 
I hope this is a blessing to someone.
 
Love Trish

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