Separated by nearly 2,500 miles, a heart for Christian education has tied Tabor and Academia Los Pinares.
Beginning this fall, three Tabor graduates will teach at the private school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Jessica Buller (g’22) started last year, and she’ll be joined this summer by Brynnalese Nelson (g’23) and Lauryn Paredez (g’23).
Tabor’s history at the school dates back even further, including alumni Katelin (Horstick, g’16) Lumen, Kari Schmidt (g’18), and Callie Gerbrandt (g’18).
Over its almost 60-year history, the school has grown from 50 students to a Christian-bilingual school of over 800.
Buller student taught at ALP during the spring 2021 semester and returned to teach full-time after graduating. She teaches fourth grade, minus all Spanish core classes, coaches basketball and volleyball, and helps with a bi-weekly mentorship program for fifth and sixth graders.
Whether it’s notes of affirmation or their desire to connect with her individually, Buller said the Gospel is resonating in the lives of her students.
“I know for sure He is moving in me,” Buller said. “Each day teaches me patience and walking in Christ’s love. These kids are craving the truth, and we have the opportunity to intertwine it into what we do.”
Like Buller, Nelson had multiple opportunities to interact with ALP administrators and recruiters when they visited Tabor.
Originally a History Education major, Nelson said these visits and digging into other cultures made her eager to open a new door in Tegucigalpa.
“I’m excited to spend all day with students that weren’t raised the same way as me,” Nelson said. “I want to hear about their outlook on life and how it impacts their faith. It can impact me personally and spiritually, seeing what it’s like to live that out in other cultures.”
Paredez has always enjoyed science, starting as a Biochemistry major at Tabor. She took an Interterm trip to Guatemala in January 2022, opening her eyes to the educational needs in Central America.
“The trip was centered around social work, but it also had a lot to do with education,” Paradez said. “Teaching is an amazing job, and when I got this job, I saw how much I can help somebody and to try and lead someone to better things.”
Nelson was also a kids’ ministry intern at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, helping develop her eye for elementary education after initially thinking she’d teach in a secondary setting. Having it be a private, Christian school made the decision easier.
“I want to speak freely in my beliefs and get that experience of intentionally and explicitly saying why I do what I do,” Nelson said. “I love the Lord, and I want the students to see how He loves them.”
Buller said she’d encourage any teacher who feels led to teach globally to pursue it.
“If the Lord has placed it on your heart to teach in another country, go,” Buller said. “It’s the hardest and most beautiful thing I’ve done. There are comforts you have to give up, but it is so very worth it.”