“While I can’t speak about my faith directly in my work setting, it helps me to have peace in all situations and to pray for my students. My faith is what has given me strength in what would otherwise be stressful and exhausting situations. I’ve seen how God has given me peace surpassing all understanding and it has helped me to be able to have the strength to encourage and support my unbelieving coworkers in their moments of stress and anxiety.
Annette’s Career Journey
Before this job, she was the Lead Preschool Teacher at Pennridge Christian Academy from 2017-2019.
Working as a FCS Teacher
“As I commute an hour to my job, my day starts early so I can be to work by 7am with a little buffer time in case of traffic. Students start arriving a little before 7, with class officially starting at 7:20. Our school runs on a block schedule with students have 4 classes each day. Teachers teach 3 of these 4 blocks and have prep time for the fourth. I am the primary sewing teacher for my school, so I will teach at least one section of our fashion classes and then a culinary course or two to fill out my schedule. My prep time is utilized to prepare for the next day’s or subsequent lessons or grocery shop for my culinary labs. I may also use this time to catch up on grading. I am responsible to plan and prepare for each day’s class, monitor student behaviors and grades, as well as communicate with home about anything that they may need to know.”
How has HDFS prepared you?
“This program prepared me for most aspects of the jobs I’ve held. The content knowledge gave me understanding of the students with whom I work and the family dynamics that affect their daily lives. Other content knowledge I learned to be able to teach others."
Annette’s Advice
“Dream with God. Nothing is impossible for Him! But keep you eyes fixed on Him. He will help you find direction for your next steps. Trusting that He knows best is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding things we can do. Seek community. We were not meant to do life alone. Practice building and maintaining friendships now, as it will only get harder beyond your college years. Be intentional in all that you do. Intentionally seek time with others, with the Lord, and for yourself.”