“Brush Your Teeth” and Other Advice From NSA Teachers
By Ellie B.
The Navigator has written many advice articles over the years. Just last month, one of our writers collected advice from NSA seniors in an article titled Advice to Freshman. Perhaps you are a fan of our love advice column, Letters to Juliet, or maybe you submitted a question to our staff last spring for one of their Nav Advice articles. Whether you are an avid reader of The Navigator’s advice articles, or this is the first of our articles that you have read, we have some helpful advice given by NSA teachers to offer you.
Ms. Pam Horneck offered some interesting advice when interviewed, suggesting to students that they brush their teeth. Her meaning, however, goes beyond the simple act of brushing your teeth. She meant that students have a tendency to worry about the future. They can get caught up in life after high school and how to achieve every one of their goals. Instead, Ms. Horneck encourages students to focus on today. “A lot of times we worry about the future - should I go to college, if so, what college, what should I do for a career. . . But just do what you are supposed to do today - Brush your teeth. Work on your relationship with Jesus today. Respect your parents.” The future is inevitable, and there is nothing wrong with preparing for it, but students can get so wrapped up in the future that they forget about today. As Ms. Horneck said, “God will lead you tomorrow when He sees your faithfulness today.”
Teachers had other advice for students regarding their future. Ms. Velasquez offered practical advice saying that students should “ask realistic and grounded questions about earning money and where it comes from in your family.”
Mrs. Sundermeyer and Mrs. Fouts gave comforting and reassuring advice. Mrs. Sundermeyer reminded students that “God does not want us to have a spirit of fear, but to have His peace in all we do in life...including all that comes after high school. I like to encourage students to daily surrender their lives...their futures to God. When God shoulders the weight of the unknown of our future, He extends His peace to us and we can rest in that!” Mrs. Fouts when interviewed said to “remember God might give you two or three options with all of them being equally good. Think about what you like. Do you like to do things with your hands or be outside? Do you need to be with people or prefer more time alone? Then think about what careers might match this. Don't feel like you have to go to college… Also know that many people end up doing more than one type of job in their lifetime. So don't feel like whatever choice you make is permanent.”
Few people are more focused on academics than high school students. However, there are things more important than academics. One of these things is character. Ms. Horneck gave this example “If you are running late and have 5 minutes to finish an assignment - take the lesser grade instead of doing something wrong that would hurt your character.” Mrs. Sundermeyer said something similar “I remind students that the end result/grade does not define them or give them their identity. It is in the process of doing one's best that true character forms...and it is through God alone where we find our identity!” However, she also encouraged students to be disciplined in their academics, but focus on doing their best whether that is an A or a C. Ms. Velasquez promoted curiosity suggesting that “When you fail, avoid shame. Ask questions, instead.”
The teachers also reminded students to get involved with people and activities outside of academics. Ms. Horneck specifically encouraged students to get involved with their church, saying that “You learn so many life skills and people skills, and you should never wait until you're an adult to serve God and others.” Mrs. Fouts and Ms. Velasquez both recommended that students spend time outside and with people.
Building a relationship with Christ is the most important thing anyone can do regardless of age. The habits you build now will stay with you throughout your adult life. Ms. Horneck mentioned that “It is much easier to have a relationship with Jesus as an adult if you started it as a teen… So don't wait; make God the center of your life NOW.” Mrs. Fouts offered similar advice: “It sounds like a Sunday school answer but Jesus was my rock in High school. He was a constant in a season where I felt like I had to perform well in sports and academics to be accepted and where I also was the only believer in my class. The book of Psalms especially was a good source of encouragement for me.”
Mrs. Sundermeyer offered students some words of encouragement: “One of my favorite ideas comes from something that author Oswald Chambers shared in his devotional My Utmost for His Highest. This idea [paraphrased] goes something like this: ‘The more we strive to seek after Christ, the more we become what we were created to be.’ There is such freedom in that thought! So -- no matter where God takes us, if we are seeking Him, we are right where we need to be.”
Regardless of what you are going through, where you live, or what your life looks like, we can all learn from the advice offered by these NSA teachers. To offer a few final words of wisdom from Mrs. Sundermeyer, “You are loved. You are chosen. You are valued. This is God's posture and view of who we are. When this truth becomes deep-seeded into who we are, we view the world around us so much differently.”
Columns: 🗣️Advice, 🔎Informational
Ellie B. lives in Virginia, USA with her parents, brother, and dogs. This is her fourth year at NSA, and her second year at the Navigator. She has a passion for ballet and has plans to pursue it professionally in the future. Ellie also enjoys reading in her free time.