For many students, the classroom is where learning begins. For Megan, it’s also where ministry takes shape.
Currently completing her student teaching overseas, Megan is experiencing firsthand what it means to take what she has learned at Faith Baptist Bible College and apply it in a global setting. Through both Christian and non-Christian school placements, she has been challenged to grow—not only as an educator, but as a follower of Christ.
During her time at Faith, Megan was equipped with both strong content knowledge and a variety of teaching methods. That preparation has proven essential in her current placement, where resources are limited and creativity is key. “I’ve had to think through a variety of ideas from my courses and implement them into my lesson plans,” she shared. “I’m also working with students who don’t speak English at home and others with significant learning challenges, so learning how to support diverse learners has been incredibly important.”
While her first placement allowed her to teach openly and reinforce biblical truth, her second has looked very different. In a non-Christian classroom, Megan has had to rely on building relationships and living out her faith through her actions. “I have been faithfully living out the Gospel without speaking of it to my students,” she said, “and I’ve seen a huge growth in respect because I’ve taken the time to get to know them.”
Megan is thankful to see the impact of her investment in students’ lives. At the end of her first placement, students expressed their appreciation through heartfelt notes and gifts—small reminders of the lasting influence a teacher can have, even just a student teacher.
Megan’s journey has not been without challenges. During her student teaching experience, her father was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer while serving on the mission field in South Africa. In the Lord’s providence, Megan is able to complete her second placement there, allowing her to support her family during a difficult season. “Through it all, I’ve had to rest in God’s sovereignty and dwell in His overwhelming peace,” she said.
That experience, combined with her time in the classroom, has deepened her passion for international education. She sees teaching as a powerful avenue for Gospel impact around the world. “Education is a gateway to reaching people in hard places,” Megan explained. “As a teacher, you have a front-row seat to watch students learn and grow—and an incredible opportunity to make an eternal impact.”
Her advice to future educators interested in international teaching is to be flexible because “every country does not ‘do school’ in the same way.” It just adds new layers to adjust your teaching to fit the audience and culture. “There are so many opportunities to teach overseas,” she said. “If you’re interested, take missions trips and pray about how God could use you.”
Megan is grateful for her time at Faith and the preparation she received as an elementary education teacher: “Throughout the past 4 years of being in the Education program at Faith, I have been poured into by professors and peers to become the teacher I aspire to be in the future. Student teaching has given me a small glimpse into what I believe to be the most fulfilling career that a person could choose.”
Thank you, Megan, for taking the Word to the World, from Iowa to South Africa!
