Beyond College & Career Readiness

For this month’s edition of Influence, we pass on an important lesson that WCS alumna and new lower school principal, Dr. Emily Eveland, recently shared with our faculty and later with our high school sophomores.
 
During my time as a public-school educator, I would often hear the phrase “college and career readiness.” It was the focus of most professional development sessions and the banner over many of our goals. Today, I
want to share how our calling as followers of Christ goes far beyond
​college and career readiness.

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College Readiness
When I was a senior at Wilmington Christian, I was preparing for a college interview at the University of Delaware. I felt ready for any question—my grades, extracurriculars, and even how I hoped to contribute to the university community. But then came a question I hadn’t anticipated:

“If you were on American Idol, what song would you sing?”

Without hesitation, I replied, “Amazing Grace.”
The interviewers looked surprised, so I quickly clarified, “It’s a hymn.” They smiled and said, “We know. We’ve just never heard that answer before.”
That moment was about more than college readiness. It revealed the work God had been doing in me through years of Christian education. By his grace, I was being sanctified—set apart for him. And in that instant, what came out of my mouth was the fruit of that sanctification, something Scripture calls transformation.

Transformation is what others can see when God reshapes us from the inside out. While many might have chosen a pop song or a classic hit, God led me to choose truth over trend. And that is the beauty of his ongoing work—shaping our responses, our desires, and our lives to reflect him.

Career Readiness
Years later, when I interviewed for my first teaching job in a Spanish immersion program, I assumed my strongest answers would come from my college education. But the panel’s questions pulled me back further—to high school at Wilmington Christian. I found myself talking about Spanish classes and mission trips that shaped not only my language skills but also my faith. The interviewers looked surprised, and I quickly clarified what a mission trip was: “serving the community and sharing the gospel.” They smiled and said, “We know. We’ve just never heard that answer before.”

That moment was about more than career readiness. What had set me apart wasn’t the latest trend in education. It was the truth that had been poured into me here at Wilmington Christian. Sanctification—his ongoing process of setting me apart—had taken root even into my new career. And in that interview, the transformation was evident: the visible outworking of God’s grace shaping my words, priorities, and witness.

Research
After about 10 years, I was worn out from the world’s secular focus on college and career readiness. Five years of reading and writing research papers had left me drained, and I was ready to step into a new season—starting a family of my own. In 2020, I was expecting my first son, and I remember being thrilled at the thought: I don’t have to read another book for school—I can finally read for fun!

I invited a few Christian teacher friends from my public school to join an “underground book club,” and we picked Mama Bear Apologetics by Hillary Morgan Ferrer. I thought it would be a light, enjoyable read. Instead, it quickly pulled me back into research—this time about something far more personal. The book explained how a child’s worldview and moral compass are largely formed between the ages of 8 and 13.

That truth hit home. I was 8 years old when I started attending a Christian school and gave my life to Christ. My husband was 13 when he started at Wilmington Christian—and that same year he accepted Christ! This wasn’t just theory; the research was reflected in our very lives.

Suddenly, I found myself wrestling with God’s will—not only for my child’s life, but for my own. Had I already failed as a mother before my son was even born? Christian education had never crossed my mind for him—or for me as a career. Yet God knew exactly where my heart was tender. He took my love of research and led me to the research I needed most, opening my eyes to the eternal impact of Christian education.

Now
When I first came to interview at WCS, I was fully prepared to answer questions about my testimony, my walk with Christ, and how I build relationships. But the question that caught me off guard was: “Did you play sports when you were at WCS?”

You might already know my answer—no. But I did manage to add that my husband played soccer, and I hoped that counted for something!

My husband’s favorite memory from WCS wasn’t from a classroom—it was on the soccer field with Coach Haas. I recently went digging through my old yearbooks and found a picture of Mr. Haas, his son, my husband Jamie, and me.
Looking back now, I think I finally have a better answer to that question.

That picture really does carry meaning for me. I told my husband the other night, “I finally feel like I’m not just playing defense anymore—trying to block controversial content from reaching kids in a public school classroom. Now I get to play offense, scoring goals for the Lord.” He laughed and said my analogy was a little corny, but I think it’s a win.

Because at the end of the day, the world may draw up trendy plays, but God calls us to pursue truth and play for eternal victory.

Teaching to Transform
As our teachers step into the classrooms every day, we remember that our calling is greater than a growth mindset and college and career readiness. It’s about transforming hearts and minds for Christ. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

It is an honor to partner with Christian parents in teaching eternal truths to young minds who were designed to change the world for Christ!
 
Dr. Emily Eveland
WCS Lower School Principal