From Student to Teacher

Dream or Reality

I had wanted to be a teacher since I could remember. After my wreck in 2009, I did not know if that was still a possibility, but my steps were being ordered by the Lord. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." (Psalm 37:23)

My Journey to College

I had started my journey in college prior to the accident. I had been working full-time and attending online classes through my local community college. I then transferred credit to a state university that offered an online degree completion program, so I could maintain my job and not have to travel to and from school. I had been enrolled and had just started that branch of my education journey when the wreck occurred. Of course, my family informed the college of the accident and let them know why I was absent from my online classes. I decided to return to my college coursework in the fall of 2010, trusting that God had a plan in place. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Pursuing My Degree in Elementary Education

I knew that usually, the last two years of your college experience are the courses geared toward your major. My major was Elementary Education in K-6, with a reading concentration. So technically, I could teach reading to any student from kindergarten through 12th grade. I remember sitting on the couch working on my schoolwork from 8 a.m. to sometimes 11 p.m., trying to get everything done. I tend to be a perfectionist and have always been a very hard-working student. Those personality traits were now coupled with my physical limitations, but God continued to provide the strength I needed. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

Volunteering at My Local Elementary School

I found out that the next two semesters required some volunteering and a little bit of one-on-one student work. So, I began volunteering at my local elementary school, which happened to be the same one I attended as a child.

I established a relationship with a second-grade teacher and worked in her classroom with my one-on-one student once a week. She took me under her wing, teaching me from her years of expertise. I even got to work with some of the very teachers who taught me in elementary school.

By my final semester of college, I was able to coordinate with the second-grade teacher, whom I knew well by now, to do my student teaching and complete my observations for my final grades.

December 13, 2013

Graduation: A Dream Realized

I jokingly told my family that if I could only make it until December, I’d be fine. After much hard work and dedication, graduation time finally came. In December 2013, I had to go to the school campus for a final meeting. I made a decision while there: I was going to walk across the stage to receive my diploma. All of my fellow classmates and instructors were aware of my situation and asked me if I preferred to be first, last, or in the middle. I chose to go first, knowing that God had been with me through the whole journey. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)

 I walked across the stage, with the assistance of my walker, and received my diploma magna cum laude, or with high honor. That was a great achievement I will never forget. Even other students in my cohort congratulated me and remarked on such an achievement.

The Bible says, "without a vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18). That is a true statement. I am glad I had this goal in mind. We are also told, "do not grow weary in well-doing, for we shall reap if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9). Those are confident words from God—a promise.

Creating Buckner School

After receiving my degree, I started transforming my mother’s basement into a classroom. I downloaded many free resources from the internet and laminated them. I had to ask for help laminating and cutting things out, as my motor skills weren’t up to capability yet. I got various family members to help paint, etc. I settled on the name, “Buckner School,” with the tagline “Expect success.” I had learned that students will rise to your expectation. More importantly, I knew that God would guide my steps in this new chapter. "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

As a teacher, I taught everything: grammar, writing, reading, math, spelling, social studies, science—you name it, I taught it. My years of volunteering in my local elementary school proved very valuable when I started operating my own school. I had gained so much experience and knowledge from being in the classroom with multiple students on a daily basis.

Ready or not!

In August 2014, my school opened with my three nieces as my first pupils. Over the years, I added furniture, equipment, and books to the school, through purchases and donations. More students came through other relatives and community members. I eventually had nine learners, aged 4 to 17!

Learning from Experience

They say experience is the best teacher, and I have found this to be true. I was not only the teacher but the administrator too. I established the academic calendar, chose the curriculum, taught the material, and dealt with any discipline issues. Over time, I figured out ways to improve structure and organization for our school, the kids, and their parents. After a few years, it was a well-oiled machine. Through it all, I prayed for wisdom to be both a mentor and a guide to my students. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally." (James 1:5)

It was my baby to conduct how I wanted. We started our day by taking prayer requests and praying. It’s my hope the children realize you can talk to God anytime about anything.

I see this opportunity to have my own private homeschool as God-ordered. Being on disability, I could supplement that income, but not exceed a certain cap established by the Social Security Administration. He knew the financial need, and He knew my exact circumstances. Since I couldn’t drive, this was the perfect way to meet those needs. He allowed me the honor and privilege to obtain a dream, but it was abundantly above what I could have imagined.

Life as Therapy

May 2024

I had had outpatient therapy for years prior to teaching. After graduating college, I started teaching and didn’t have therapy because I had reached a plateau, so to speak, in making noticeable gains in my recovery. My therapists assured me this was normal and expected, and most people would have stopped advancing quickly a long time ago. However, I knew that God was still working in me, shaping me to fulfill His purpose. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

Therapists told me I knew all of the current therapy “exercises,” and the best therapy is living life. That’s exactly what I did. This job gave me the opportunity to practice everyday skills like walking, talking, and using scissors to cut, to name a few. 

Improvements in Speech

My speech greatly improved during this time, from 2014 until now. I presume from all the talking. Certain letters (like “r”) and specific words still prove difficult for me to clearly speak. I used to love to sing. Not so much now, as (1) my air/lung capacity is not as it was previously, (2) my voice sounds different speaking and singing (if you want to call that noise singing, lol). Good thing the Bible says to make a joyful noise! I’m thankful I have a voice and can talk at all.

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Closing Buckner School

As of May 2024, my Buckner School is closed because “there is a time to every season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). After teaching for ten years, I felt God wanted me to come out of the basement and pursue another avenue. I don’t have complete clarity on what that is yet, but I’m waiting on the Lord and His prompting for direction. Waiting on the Lord is hard to do, but necessary.

Final Thoughts

Find the good, there’s ALWAYS a silver lining. Can’t never could. I remind myself daily of Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Please share an accomplishment that stands out to you.

Be encouraged. 🧡

                                                                                                

    
Give this song a listen. The lyrics touch your soul. Goodness of God