Why did I decide to stay? When I applied for MTC, I planned on being at my school for at least two years. If I liked it, I would stay even longer. My first year at North Panola was greeted with many challenges. Our Principal decided not to come back for another year at North Panola and returned to the delta to be near his mom in Sunflower County. However, there was a “superstar” principal at the junior high that was moving up to the high school. I was sad about my first principal being gone, but I was excited about the prospect of the new principal being good as well. Also, I round out that Jensen would be teaching across the hall from me as well. Everything was looking up. A conservator to whom the community could relate a little better was coming for the new year. I hard-nosed principal that was tough on discipline was coming. I had the opportunity to teach across the hall from one of my best friends in MTC. What else could anyone ask for? I had built a relationship with many students and teachers, and my wife was invested in the community as an elementary school teacher as well. I could not think of a reason not to be at North Panola for another year. Above all else, I really felt called to North Panola. This really is my mission field ordained by God. To walk away from it would be to walk outside of God’s will.
Interestingly enough, I was looking forward to walking into a staff meeting and knowing people. Not only would I know people, I would be known. I feel like I have a place at North Panola. I’m the public address announcer, and I invest in the students’ lives. I was looking forward to having my Spanish I kids in my Spanish II classes to see how much progress we could make. Two years in a classroom with the same kids provides ample time for nurturing a relationship and getting to know one another.
Not only was I invested in North Panola, I was also invested in Longview Point Baptist Church in Hernando where Emily and I live. Changing schools may mean changing where we live, and that really was not an option. Emily and I have prayed since the beginning of our relationship for God to lay out His path for our lives. Sometimes, we focused a little too much on what the “next step” is, and He did not reveal that to us. That meant we were supposed to be serving Him everyday at North Panola. Until He shows us another step that does not include North Panola, that is where we will be.
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