Hannah Field

"The knowledge and understanding gained of how children develop, learn and engage really does prove to be of a great help to my role as Children's Evangelist. In fact, in many ways I am still ‘teaching' - but just not in a classroom."

Tell us about your journey into teaching.

Whilst at school, I had several brilliant teachers; like them, I wanted to have a positive impact on people's lives and felt that this was where God was leading me. This sense of vocation inspired me to work with children on a voluntary basis; through my church, local schools, sport, and The Girls' Brigade. These experiences played an important part in my decision to study at University for a BA (Hons) in Primary Education, specialising in P.E., and in my gaining a teaching post at the school where I conducted my dissertation research.

What were the rewarding bits of teaching? Did you find anything tough about it? Were there ways in which you managed to live out your Christian faith in the job?

Seeing a child discover something for the first time and reach their goals - it was brilliant to see the excitement and sense of achievement on their faces and the transformation in their lives.

Teaching can consume you though - at the start of my first (NQT) year I found it quite tough to get the whole ‘work-life' balance thing right and, because of my enthusiasm, I ended up working 24/7. With time, I learnt to depend more upon God rather than my own efforts. I was open about this with my colleagues and found that people often came to me with problems and questions because they knew I was a Christian.

I always tried to help, communicate and value the staff, children and the parents, in a way that I would have imagined Jesus to have done: loving them despite the many ‘interesting' things that they would do . . . which wasn't always easy!

Why did you leave teaching then?

I absolutely loved being a primary school teacher - and thought that it would be my career for life. God had different plans! It turned out that my training and experience as a school teacher equipped me for something new and unexpected in my life journey. Events at church and The Girls' Brigade started me thinking: ‘Was I doing what God wanted me to do at this stage of my life?'

Then one day Ruth Gilson, the National Director for The Girls' Brigade, asked me that very question. What had been on the back of my mind had finally been brought to the front - I could no longer ignore it. Following this challenge, I engaged further in much prayer, Bible study, reflection and conversation with other Christians. This all led to me taking that step of faith, and applying for and becoming the Children's Evangelist for Arise.

God, through the ministry of The Girls' Brigade, led me to become a teacher, and then, through teaching, led me to become involved in the ministry of The Girls' Brigade, with Arise. It really is amazing how he works!

How has your experience of teaching been used in your work with Arise?

Arise focuses on ‘equipping the church to reach a generation', so that even more children are helped to discover and follow Jesus. We do this in many ways, and on a daily basis I find myself drawing upon the experience and skills developed whilst involved in teaching. For example: planning and leading children's events; producing resource material for use by children and children's workers; training potential leaders; supporting Christian teachers to establish school based outreach clubs . . . the list goes on . . .! The knowledge and understanding gained of how children develop, learn and engage really does prove to be of a great help to my role as Children's Evangelist; my teaching experience and training is vital to what I do now. In fact, in many ways I am still ‘teaching' - but just not in a classroom.

From your place within Arise, what is your perception of the opportunities for churches to be involved in schools?

This is a really exciting time in which to be connecting with schools. The ‘Every Child Matters' framework and ‘Extended Schooling' targets means that schools are looking to link up with other agencies, especially in running clubs. Schools really appreciate the dedication, skills and servant-heart that volunteers bring and in return the volunteers get a real sense of doing something that is not only worthwhile, but life-changing!

What do you want to say to a Christian thinking about becoming a teacher?

Be open to how and where God can use you - teaching doesn't have to always happen in the classroom; it can happen anywhere and in many forms - be focused upon what teaching and its skills can achieve; when you trust in God, be prepared to see unexpected and amazing things happen! If teaching is your vocation, be aware that you can follow that vocation in lots of ways.