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When I finished my PhD, I vowed never to work in academia. I think God laughs at us when we declare what we will NOT do. I found the academic world often counter to my personality. I just wanted to work with young people without feeling pressured to compete, impress, or navigate the inequities that sometimes exist in that space. My doctoral program provided an amazing education, for which I am grateful, but it was painful and isolating. So, when I came home from graduation, I put away all my articles, dissertation drafts, and anything that reminded me of those difficult years. I was DONE with academia.

THEN, one day in the summer of 2019, I randomly decided to take my children to visit Howard University. The campus was empty, but I happened to start talking with one of the deans who was working that day. She asked about my background, and I shared my passion for making the classical tradition a welcoming space for everyone. She immediately introduced me to the chair of the classics department, and before I knew it, I was a lecturer there. Once I started working with the students, I was hooked. In those two years, I gained a new perspective on what academia should be about. We all come to this space for different reasons, and for me, it was to be part of the journey of budding adults finding their place and purpose. Talking with students, developing friendships with them, and being part of their struggle to become who God called them to be is the most amazing feeling I have had in my career.

My husband explained my heart to me one day, saying, “Babe, you get to teach and inspire young people from PreK to adulthood!” When he said that, academia seemed to fit into the work I was already doing. Even though my memories of the political, elitist, isolating, and often hurtful aspects of academia gave me anxiety, the college students I worked with broke through that trepidation. The students of Howard University inspired me to see this space in a new light. Later, I picked up adjunct positions at the University of Maryland, Messiah University, and taught occasional classes at St. John’s and American University. Each of these students, whether at my beloved Howard University or elsewhere, healed parts of me that my doctoral experience had scarred.

After two years at Howard, I was offered a leadership position at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy. There, I gained extensive experience in educational research and curriculum design—an opportunity that forever changed my life. However, I missed the students. Most of my time was spent behind a laptop, doing research and reviewing district curricula across the United States. While I felt honored to influence the education children receive nationwide and inspire schools to be more equitable, I missed the interaction with students. My time at Johns Hopkins came to a close around November, and I began looking for a new “home.”

At first, I applied to different positions without much thought about how they fit into my life’s purpose. Then one day, I decided to withdraw an application for another position within Johns Hopkins. I realized that I wanted to teach at one institution for a long time, maintaining a connection with students and the university. These feelings were tied to my relational and mission-minded nature.

As I reflected on who I was and where I wanted to be in the latter half of my life (turning 50 makes you so reflective!), I decided to stop “looking” for a job. I applied to many places but soon focused on prayer, studying my Bible, resting, and cherishing the life God had given me at that moment. I rested in God, focused on my family, and prayed about where God wanted me to plant roots. I had some interviews but often felt that those spaces were not where God called me. Leading a major organization on top of founding The Living Water School felt overwhelming. I was learning to understand my limits and realized that my deepest passion is K-12 education.

Realizing my calling in K-12 education was frightening because my perspective on classical education in the K-12 classroom isn’t always embraced in some teacher education programs. I sought more than just a faculty position; I wanted a place where I could live out my purpose and passion. The more I rested in God, prayed, and focused on finding that space, the clearer it became. A place that had been there all along, within a community unwavering in its support for my work in classical education and racial healing. As God directed my attention to this space, I started praying over it, talking about it with my husband and pastor.

Before many of the jobs I’d applied for got back to me, a door opened for a faculty position at Catholic University. I applied, and as many of you know, God graciously allowed me to be offered the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Catholic University. I cannot describe the joy I feel about this position. It is a space where I can be open about my faith, my love for God, and continue my work in K-12 education. This position feels like “home.” It feels like where my kids will grow up and where our family will find community.

My husband and kids were with me during the Redefining Classics event on June 15th, and we all felt it while on campus. It felt like the place God has given us, and we are so thankful. Everything I have gone through since entering academia in 2020 prepared me for this moment. Some have asked why I didn’t stay or reapply to Howard, and there are a couple of reasons. First, there wasn’t really a space for me to continue my work in classical education, and secondly, once you’re on the lecturer track, it’s very hard to move to tenure track. Catholic University opened the door for me to work with both traditional education and liberal arts/classical education, and offered me a tenure-track position. Catholic University was a direct answer to my prayers, and I know God will bless my time there.

I am home. I knew I was home on the day of my last interview. On the tour, I was taken to Welcome Plaza, where it showed a boat in the water, carrying all types of diverse people. The plaque said, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”(Hebrews 13:2). This welcoming space called to me and whispered, “Anika, you are home.” That moment was pivotal for me, because it also told me that Catholic University is a great place to house the work I am doing in using the classical tradition to bring us together. In so many ways, and to my surprise God confirmed that this was “home.” I get to see my office next week. I already know the classes I’ll be teaching, one of which is Children’s Literature—a dream of mine! I can barely contain the joy I have about this new chapter in my life. I am home…finally.