Elva Light refers to her life as a “journey.” Rather than a high-speed trip to her destination as if on an interstate, the veteran educator’s career path has included numerous curves along the way en route to her current location, the Hannibal Christian Academy (HCA), where she serves as assistant principal.
“I did lots of different part-time jobs while I was going to college,” said Light, whose resume includes occupations as a realtor, manager of rental properties, secretary, funeral home musician and greeter, piano teacher, grocery store cashier and bank teller. “I was always looking forward to just having one job.”
While her tenure at the new school, where sixth, seventh and eighth graders are taught, has been brief Light is in no rush to move on.
“It’s just a great place to be. It’s fantastic being here with the kids ... their energy level and enthusiasm. I look forward to every day,” she said. “When you know you’re where you’re supposed to be and doing what you’re supposed to be doing, the challenges even come easier and they’re not such a burden.”
Joining the HCA staff was not by chance, according to Light.
“I don’t believe in luck. I don’t believe in coincidence. I believe that for a Christian God’s providence is there. Sometimes we don’t see it. Sometimes we ignore it. But basically it’s always there for a Christian to call upon,” she said. “These doors (the HCA opportunity) did not just crack open, they flew open. I just knew it was a directive from God. I felt it was a blessing to me.”
Light was an educator in the public school system for 21 years. However, when a serious health issue arose in her family, Light decided to step away.
“I felt that after 20 years with the public school sector I needed to put my family first,” said Light, who served as the facilitator of gifted students in the Hannibal public school district from 1994 until last spring.
In the aftermath of the health crisis, Light prayerfully considered what was next.
“I began to question, ‘OK God, what are you going to do with me?’ I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God created me to be an educator,” she said.
That is when opportunities at HCA, which is based at the Hannibal Evangelical Free Church, began to arise, first as a member of the new school’s board and then as a part of the staff.
“I really felt the Lord was leading me here,” she said.
Light’s formal title is assistant principal in charge of curriculum and instruction.
“I do have a specialist degree in administration. My masters degree is in curriculum and instruction. I do actually have paperwork that says I know what I’m doing,” she said with a hearty laugh.
The school also affords Light the chance to return to the classroom as an instructor, teaching a seventh grade social studies class.
“I love being in a classroom. I love teaching,” she said. “I believe that God has allowed me to bridge into administration and still be able to teach. I’m enjoying both thoroughly.
“I really have the best of both worlds. I like the details and figuring out the schedule. I love working with all the families. I like being an encourager for teachers and for staff.”
The curriculum is taught from a biblical world view, which enables the Christian to teach from a perspective she couldn’t in a public school setting.
“Our curriculum reveals God’s hand in history. It reveals God’s hand in science. It reveals God in every element of life,” said Light. “I’m in a setting that not only teaches children the nuts and bolts, the academics that they need to be successful in our world today, but to be able to join that with the creator of the universe... Some of our children have not yet met personally that creator. To be placed in a situation where I can openly answer questions about the Lord for them is a great place to be.”
As if her educational responsibilities aren’t time consuming enough, Light and her husband, Larry, also operate a game bird-raising business they’ve dubbed “Stuff, Etc...”. After starting with 600 quail their first year, their feathered inventory now features a total of 6,500 quail, pheasant and chukar.
“We just kind of grew a business,” said Light.
While Light says launching the business was her husband’s dream, she was more than happy to support him.
“When I met Larry I had just begun college. He has seen me through a bachelor’s, two masters and a specialist degree. He supported me and my dream so there was no way under the sun I would not support him with something he wanted to do. It kind of became a partnership,” she said.
The benefits of partnerships are not limited to successful businesses, according to Light.
“To have a partnership in a marriage you’ve got to both support each other through what each person wants to accomplish in life,” she said. “That gives you a real good balance.”
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Elva Light refers to her life as a “journey.” Rather than a high-speed trip to her destination as if on an interstate, the veteran educator’s career path has included numerous curves along the way en route to her current location, the Hannibal Christian Academy (HCA), where she serves as assistant principal.
“I did lots of different part-time jobs while I was going to college,” said Light, whose resume includes occupations as a realtor, manager of rental properties, secretary, funeral home musician and greeter, piano teacher, grocery store cashier and bank teller. “I was always looking forward to just having one job.”
While her tenure at the new school, where sixth, seventh and eighth graders are taught, has been brief Light is in no rush to move on.
“It’s just a great place to be. It’s fantastic being here with the kids ... their energy level and enthusiasm. I look forward to every day,” she said. “When you know you’re where you’re supposed to be and doing what you’re supposed to be doing, the challenges even come easier and they’re not such a burden.”
Joining the HCA staff was not by chance, according to Light.
“I don’t believe in luck. I don’t believe in coincidence. I believe that for a Christian God’s providence is there. Sometimes we don’t see it. Sometimes we ignore it. But basically it’s always there for a Christian to call upon,” she said. “These doors (the HCA opportunity) did not just crack open, they flew open. I just knew it was a directive from God. I felt it was a blessing to me.”
Light was an educator in the public school system for 21 years. However, when a serious health issue arose in her family, Light decided to step away.
“I felt that after 20 years with the public school sector I needed to put my family first,” said Light, who served as the facilitator of gifted students in the Hannibal public school district from 1994 until last spring.
In the aftermath of the health crisis, Light prayerfully considered what was next.
“I began to question, ‘OK God, what are you going to do with me?’ I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God created me to be an educator,” she said.
That is when opportunities at HCA, which is based at the Hannibal Evangelical Free Church, began to arise, first as a member of the new school’s board and then as a part of the staff.
“I really felt the Lord was leading me here,” she said.
Light’s formal title is assistant principal in charge of curriculum and instruction.
“I do have a specialist degree in administration. My masters degree is in curriculum and instruction. I do actually have paperwork that says I know what I’m doing,” she said with a hearty laugh.
The school also affords Light the chance to return to the classroom as an instructor, teaching a seventh grade social studies class.
“I love being in a classroom. I love teaching,” she said. “I believe that God has allowed me to bridge into administration and still be able to teach. I’m enjoying both thoroughly.
“I really have the best of both worlds. I like the details and figuring out the schedule. I love working with all the families. I like being an encourager for teachers and for staff.”
The curriculum is taught from a biblical world view, which enables the Christian to teach from a perspective she couldn’t in a public school setting.
“Our curriculum reveals God’s hand in history. It reveals God’s hand in science. It reveals God in every element of life,” said Light. “I’m in a setting that not only teaches children the nuts and bolts, the academics that they need to be successful in our world today, but to be able to join that with the creator of the universe... Some of our children have not yet met personally that creator. To be placed in a situation where I can openly answer questions about the Lord for them is a great place to be.”
As if her educational responsibilities aren’t time consuming enough, Light and her husband, Larry, also operate a game bird-raising business they’ve dubbed “Stuff, Etc...”. After starting with 600 quail their first year, their feathered inventory now features a total of 6,500 quail, pheasant and chukar.
“We just kind of grew a business,” said Light.
While Light says launching the business was her husband’s dream, she was more than happy to support him.
“When I met Larry I had just begun college. He has seen me through a bachelor’s, two masters and a specialist degree. He supported me and my dream so there was no way under the sun I would not support him with something he wanted to do. It kind of became a partnership,” she said.
The benefits of partnerships are not limited to successful businesses, according to Light.
“To have a partnership in a marriage you’ve got to both support each other through what each person wants to accomplish in life,” she said. “That gives you a real good balance.”
