Doing What She’s Called To Do

Tigerville, SC (October 13, 2021) Rebecca Holmes (’21) says she has always known that she wanted to be a teach­er. When she first began looking at colleges, she knew she wanted to attend a Christ-centered school. She knew she wanted more out of a university than just aca­demic knowledge, and she wanted to learn what it means to be a Christian today.

She said ultimately, she wanted to attend a university that facilitated her spiritu­al knowledge as much as it did her academic knowledge. That place was NGU.

“Christ is truly at the center of everything that we do. He isn’t simply an extra­curricular activity that we have on the side,” she said. “That intentionality is what ultimately drew me to attend NGU.”

The elementary education major says she wanted to know what it looked like to be a Christian educator practically.

Throughout her time in the education program, she discovered the strong call­ing that the Lord has placed on her life for teaching in a Title I setting.

“As someone who comes from a difficult background, I’ve been truly blessed by the educational experience that I’ve had my entire life. I didn’t realize that my academic experience is vastly different from my peers until I came to North Greenville University. I never walked into a classroom and felt like there was a task that I couldn’t complete,” she said.

Her teachers never saw her as her background or her socioeconomic status; therefore, not only did she graduate, but she excelled in academics.

“Those teachers helped me realize that if they can have such a positive impact on my life, I can certainly replicate that experience for other students that are just like me. I’m in this field because I know without hesitation that this is what the Lord has been calling me to and preparing me for my entire life,” she said.

She cannot say enough positive things about the College of Education, claiming the professors in the program are what truly makes it what it is.

“They’re all so caring, compassionate, and understanding. They truly model what it means to be a Christian first and an educator second.”

“The education professors get down on your level and have a deep desire to walk alongside you throughout your journey of life.”

“People are what you remember when you look back on milestones in your life, and these people that have made NGU so special will never be forgotten.”

Holmes believes relationships she has developed at NGU will last a lifetime.

Rebecca was appointed to a second-grade classroom at Duncan Elementary School of the Arts for her student teaching assignment in her final semester. One stand-out memory from that experience was on her birthday.

“My cooperating teacher helped my students throw a surprise birthday party for me. I had no idea that anything was happening that day. My students made me a precious birthday hat, each student made me a handwritten birthday card, and my cooperating teacher had gotten cupcakes. I was already overwhelmed with joy when one of my students came into the classroom. He was a few hours late that day. He runs up to me and says, ‘Ms. Holmes, Ms. Holmes, I’m so sorry I’m late for your party. My grandma had to take me to the doctor because I haven’t been feeling well.’ Of course, I responded with, ‘Oh, that’s OK, honey. I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well.’ Then he says the words that will probably stick with me forever. He said, ‘Ms. Holmes, I begged my grandma to bring me even though I don’t feel good because you’re one of the only people who’s ever believed in me no matter what. I love you, Ms. Holmes.’ Those are the moments that make every hard day in teaching worth it. To know that you’ve made a difference in just one student’s life is enough,” she said.

Rebecca plans to teach in a Title I school somewhere in South Carolina. “I plan to stay close to home, so I can easily help my family as my mother finishes up her battle against breast cancer.”

She looks forward to continuing her education by earning her master’s degree within the first five years of completing her undergraduate degree.

“Most of all, I’m looking forward to how the Lord plans to use me and my testi­mony in the ever-changing field of education. It’s exciting to think about that I’ll be doing what I’ve felt called to do my entire life.”

NGU offers more than 115 areas of study across certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and early college opportunities. Online. In-person. At our main campus in Tigerville, SC, the Tim Brashier Campus in Greer, SC, or several educational centers around the U.S. One university, many locations. Every day. Epic. Learn more.