Have you ever met a person and instantly knew that they loved you without even knowing you? I had a friend like that years ago.
Now truth be told, she did not love me when she met me the first time, but that was not her fault, nor mine. She was skeptical when she met me because under the circumstances, I was about to cause her a lot more work. I met Diane when I was student teaching. If you have ever had a student teacher in an educational setting, it is a lot of preparation and added stress on the cooperating teacher’s part.
Diane begrudgingly took me on as a student teacher as a favor to a close friend and my professor at Oklahoma City University. Diane approached me and was very cynical. You see, Diane hadn’t had good experiences with her previous student teachers. She was not thrilled to take me on or to “hold my hand,” as she put it. I was terrified that I was paired with a bitter teacher who was not going to make the next six weeks of my student teaching easy in any way. I was completely right.
Diane did not make it easy. Over the next six weeks, she made me realize that teaching is hard work, but if it is done right, is incredibly fun and heartwarming. Diane taught me to love the art of teaching and touching young children’s hearts. Diane taught me that a teacher’s position is not always to teach curriculum but to be there for each child in a unique way.
Diane and I have been friends since I walked into her Title 1 classroom in Oklahoma City. I was lucky enough to work with her for eight years at the same school. Time and time again, Diane showed her love for me throughout the years. She showed me that through Christ, all is possible. When Diane met me, she said that she prayed over me. She prayed that she would have the strength to lead me, the patience to guide me, and she could show me the passion needed to mold young minds.
I truly believe that Diane was my saving grace. She took me under her wing when I was very impressionable and showed me to trust in God, even when something unexpected lands at your feet.
Jocelyn Morgan, Edmond Campus Director of Children’s Ministry
