Ennie E YooOh

I credit much of my success to my parents, who were deeply devoted to me and my upbringing. I was born and raised in a Christian home where faith, love, and integrity were foundational. Both of my parents are devoted Christians who supported me wholeheartedly and loved me unconditionally.

My mother, a professor and licensed therapist in California, emphasized the importance of education from my early childhood and set an exceptional example for all four of her children. My father served as a senior pastor and instilled in me the values of honesty, discipline, and living a God-honoring life at home, in church, at school, and within the community.

Caring for my three younger siblings, along with observing my parents as dedicated professionals and faithful servants, allowed me to grow emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. These experiences shaped my character and continue to guide my work and calling today.

I currently reside in Wilmette with my husband and our two sons.

Leverage your wisdom beyond the classroom.

After years of hands-on teaching, your experience is invaluable. Consider mentoring newer teachers, leading professional development, or contributing to curriculum design. Your insight into students, families, and school culture is something no textbook can teach, and sharing it multiplies your impact.

Continue evolving while honoring your core purpose.

Veteran teachers thrive when they remain learners themselves. Stay open to new research, instructional approaches, and student needs—while holding firmly to the values and philosophy that first called you to teaching. Growth doesn’t mean changing who you are; it means refining your craft to serve the next generation well.

1. Build relationships before you focus on results.

Students learn best when they feel seen, valued, and safe. Take time to know your students—their interests, backgrounds, and challenges. Strong relationships create trust, and trust lays the foundation for meaningful learning and classroom success.

2. Be patient with yourself and trust the process.

You will not have all the answers right away, and that is okay. Teaching is a journey of growth, reflection, and grace. Learn from your mistakes, seek guidance from experienced colleagues, and remember why you chose this profession. Your consistency, humility, and heart for students will matter more than perfection.

Serving as a teacher in a small Christian church presents both a big opportunity and a big challenge.

The big opportunity is the ability to build deep, meaningful relationships. In a small church, teachers are able to know students and families personally, mentor them closely, and model Christ’s love in everyday interactions. Your influence can extend far beyond the classroom, shaping faith, character, and spiritual growth in a lasting way.

The big challenge is wearing many hats. Limited resources and smaller staff often mean teachers must serve in multiple roles and rely heavily on faith, flexibility, and teamwork. This can feel demanding at times, but it also encourages creativity, humility, and dependence on God.

When embraced prayerfully, both the opportunity and the challenge become powerful tools God uses to grow the teacher, the students, and the church community as a whole.

As a Christian woman, my most important belief as a teacher is that every child is created in the image of God and entrusted to her care for a purpose.

This belief shapes how she teaches, disciplines, encourages, and loves her students. She understands that teaching is not just a profession, but a calling—an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love, patience, and truth in daily interactions. Grounded in faith, she relies on God’s wisdom and grace, especially in moments of challenge, and seeks to model integrity, humility, and compassion.

By trusting God’s plan and valuing each student as God’s creation, a Christian woman teaches not only academic lessons, but also faith, character, and hope that can influence lives far beyond the classroom.

If you’d like, I can adapt this for a speech, testimony, or written statement of faith for a school or church.