The First Year

Last August I left my long-term, well-paid job at Home Science Tools in an attempt to build Captive Thought Tutorials into a full-time endeavor. I am by nature an anxious person, so the amount of peace I have felt throughout this process can only come from the Lord.

So how was the first year? Let's just say - better than all my dreams. I don't know if I can express the profound depth of my thankfulness.

First, for my living situation. When the Skiles offered to give me an extremely inexpensive place to live, I was delighted. But I didn't know how little it would feel like a "place to live" and how much it would feel like a "home." Not only do I have a comfortable suite to live and work in, I have a family to share my life with.  The past ten months have included 6AM power walks with Kerry, lunchtime read-alouds with Adam and Emily, motorcycle rides to the grocery store with Steve, mail deliveries from Grace, and lots of talking, singing, dancing, praying, and movie-watching.

Second, for my work. I love literature. I love reading it. I love thinking about it. I love reading about it. I love writing about it. I love teaching it. One of my goals as a teacher is to teach students to appreciate literature even if it isn't to their personal taste--several of my students told me I accomplished that very thing. One said, "Miss Mattson taught me to love literature." Right there--I would do it all for free just to hear that. (Unfortunately, I also have to eat. :) This year I taught British Literature (Charlotte Bronte to Oscar Wilde), American Literature (Washington Irving to Leif Enger), and C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity to The Last Battle).

Third, for my students. I think to be an effective teacher you need to love your subject matter and love your students. My students make it really, really easy to love them. The 25 I had this year ranged in age from 13 to 18, and lived from California to Rhode Island to Italy. Each class had its own unique flavor. American Lit challenged and questioned and picked sides. (Team Hawthorne versus Team Poe, anyone?)  British Lit was lively, intense, creative, and full of class spirit. My C.S. Lewis students spent a whole semester thoughtfully applying Lewis's writing to their own lives and walks with Christ--it was inspiring to watch. 

I am so thankful.

I can't wait to do it again next year.