♦  How did you connect with this job opportunity?
♦  What attracted you to this position?
♦  What are the most gratifying aspects of your job?
♦  What has been/was your biggest challenge as a first-year teacher?
♦  How did your time at GCC prepare you for the teaching field?
♦  What advice would you give to a current pre-service teacher in order to better prepare for his or her future classroom?
♦  What job search tips would you give to GCC students?
♦  What are the challenges and rewards of teaching in another culture?
♦  What are the challenges and rewards of living in another culture?

How did you connect with this job opportunity?

My longtime friends and missionaries told me they were looking for help with a new school they were opening in Honduras.  When I felt the call of God to pursue the opportunity, I found it was the perfect fit.

What attracted you to this position?

I never wanted to be an educator confined to one classroom.  The potential of being the director/principal of a small school energized me because I could see my creative problem-solving skills from my masters being joined with my strong education background from Grove City.

What are the most gratifying aspects of your job?

I love seeing the change in the students and the families that are part of our school.  Because we are a Christian school, each teacher pours Christ's love into each student, and that love has transformed lives of individual students and whole family units. 

What has been/was your biggest challenge as a first-year teacher?

Just as with my first year teaching, my biggest challenge in my first year as a director was behavior management - deciding what my expectations were for students and teachers, and being firm in my desire to have those expectations met.

How did your time at GCC prepare you for the teaching field?

The education program at Grove City gave me a tremendously strong foundation in many realms of education - from the theoretical to the practical.  I remember one project for Dr. Johnson's class where we had to design our own early childhood classroom and program.  At the time, I thought it was one of those "never-use-in-real-life" type projects, but little did I know that I would be asked to design and implement a Pre-K and Kindergarten program for Honors Academy just a few years later.  I even brought my old notebooks from my GCC education classes to Honduras with me and I refer to them from time to time.

What advice would you give to a current pre-service teacher in order to better prepare for his or her future classroom?

I would tell them to not shy away from the challenges.  Also, to keep a positive attitude.  Believe that you will have a successful time teaching and God will make it so.

What job search tips would you give to GCC students?

Explore all opportunities, but most of all, listen to God's voice and ask for His direction to guide you. 

What are the challenges and rewards of teaching in another culture?  

Working at a bilingual, bicultural school has many challenges.  There are differences between pedagogy of teachers, expectations of parents, language knowledge of students, and the list goes on.  I even have to translate my own staff meetings because I have both Americans and Hondurans on staff.  However, my heart has always been drawn to know other cultures and it is a pleasure to learn to see the world through a different set of eyes...those of my students.

What are the challenges and rewards of living in another culture?  

I sometimes get worn out communicating in a different language, and I also become obstinate assuming that my "American" way of thinking is better. But being out of my comfort zone has taught me to rely on God in a brand new way.  I also love the heart of the Honduran people...and the food is amazing too!

More information about Mary Beth's graduate school experience

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