2018-2019 exceeded my all my expectations. I did not imagine how representing Sumter County would propel me towards such exciting people, events, and projects for me and my students to develop. Throughout that year, I gained wisdom from a variety of teacher experts and learned lessons in humility and faith.
I am grateful because being the 2019 Sumter County Teacher of the Year turned this once dehydrated teacher into a believer of what is possible when given the right kind of water to drink. What I know to be true about teachers is this- We are stressed, but we love what we do and do what we love. We are tired, but we cling to moments when we see that we make a difference. We are sleepy and a little crazy because we are stressed and tired. Yet… We are thirsty to be inspired, acknowledged that what we do matters. We are thirsty to have our voices amplified. To be heard and to be understood. Last November, I visited New York City and heard Carl Lentz with Hillsong speak about a dehydrated soul. As he preached this wonderful sermon, I began to wonder… What does my dehydrated “teacher” soul look like? As Lentz described a variety of typical signs of fatigue, I realized sometimes I just don’t feel like teaching. I become weary of constantly forgiving petty insults. In fact, when I find myself dehydrated, I suffer the inability to make one more decision. Yucky stuff begins to stick to my soul. A dehydrated teacher soul means that I have lost control of my essential coping and motor skills. I stop reaching out, asking for help, moving forward, and doing what I have been called to do. We all know that teachers have not been called to an easy job. I begin to lose my desire to jump in with enthusiasm and faith. Lentz said it well. “It’s a thirst gone wrong kind of problem.” It is the inevitable dehydration that comes when we work so hard. Sometimes we do have a “water shortage” in education. Lentz perfectly explained it to me. I sang praises to my Lord as he reminded me (and the congregation of hundreds) that I do not have a well problem! Living water is the only thing that will soothe this dehydrated soul. Throughout my 26 years of teaching, I have witnessed my teacher friends take beautiful care of each other. They even drag me to the well of living water when I forget how to get there. Mark 9:24 reminds me- that “Lord I have faith. Just help my weak faith to be stronger.” When I cannot make it one more step, my teacher family brings that precious living water from the well to me. They know how to find me in those lowest of low moments and share their faith and life stories with me. They also remind me to laugh and remember what is good and wonderful in this profession and why I teach. How many different ways do we- the teachers- celebrate one another, lift each other up, offering support in good and bad times? We do this with our words, reminding each other to find joy in the day He gives us. If you are dehydrated, don’t let the dry words invade your spirit because you’ll only have dry crumbs to offer others. Say positive things, words of praises. Let the fresh water wash the negative out of your head, heart, and mind. Hold on to what is good and so others see His light shine through you. Lentz also suggested that “if you don’t like what you are doing, change what are you are drinking!” I’m sure many people wondered what I’d been drinking last year as I dove into so many projects as I planned my daughter’s wedding. The dehydrated teacher soul… Remember it is a water problem, not a well problem. We discover the peace He provides when we let Him quench our thirst with Living Water. Nothing satisfies my soul and brings me peace like Jesus does. I’ll finish how I started, grateful and blessed beyond measure by my friends, my family, and my gracious and loving God. He is the author of all my circumstances. He is the one who fills that my soul when I am dehydrated. He is the one who sent beautiful people into my life to remind me to go sit by the well of Living Water.
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JoAnna Arnold
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