Meet Julia Champion
How long have you been teaching for?
I had the privilege of teaching for one year and then spending the last two years earning my Masters in Elementary Education and Teaching. I cannot wait to get back to the classroom with the students as we navigate the new year and new school together!
What is your favorite class to teach?
The joy of elementary education lies in the variety of what I get to teach, but I've always had a soft spot for math. I love it, and I know that's a controversial thought, so I love being able to make it fun to help the students grow in an area they may be intimidated by.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
There are two parts of teaching that I love the most. The first is watching students mature personally. I consider it a privilege to invest in my students according to their whole person. Each student brings something unique to the classroom and I love to see them grow according to their gifts and personalities. Second, I love watching them grow academically. There is a natural challenge in teaching a room full of students that have different strengths and there is a reward that comes from watching each student have that “Aha!” moment when they finally understand that vocabulary word, when they get the spelling right on that long, complicated word, or when they get that B up to a well-earned A. It’s a win for them and a true joy for me.
Who was your favorite teacher as a child?
My favorite teacher was Miss Hammer, my high school elective teacher. She was the first teacher I had who took the time to develop a deep relationship with me, which lead to significant personal growth. She invested in me as a student and a person and, in a difficult time in my life, she extended grace and compassion that went on to change the course of my entire academic career. She knew me well enough to adapt her teaching to meet my needs, as I hope to do with each of your students.
What do you look most forward to about teaching at Grace Academy?
Oh man, where do I begin? At risk of overstating it: this is my dream job. This position is a combination of all my favorite things: the privilege of teaching children, in a Christian environment, backed by Grace Community Church. I cannot begin to express how blessed I feel to be entrusted with each little one that will fill my classroom this year. The Lord has graciously placed me at Grace Community Church for as long as I have been a Christian and I feel an incredible gratitude towards Grace and its ministry because of its impact on my life. I am thrilled to be a part of the new Grace Academy and know that this school, at this time, in this place, is a gift from the Lord and I am blessed and excited to be a part of it. Our own pastor, John MacArthur said it well when reflecting on his leadership at TMU,
"The only truly educated person is the person who's educated in the word of God and every other discipline is connected to the Scriptures. That’s a real education! Those are the people that can impact the world for the kingdom of God.”
I understand we are talking about elementary students, but Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." I love that this school, this staff, and the parents are all coming together to raise up this next generation in the way they should go.