Legacy of learning continues through generations

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)—Nearly 30 faces, bright eyes set in wrinkled faces, watched their Sunday School teacher with the same enthusiasm displayed by a class of first-graders sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting to hear a wonderful story. They'd been there in the basement of First Baptist Church in Tallahassee since before 8 a.m.

In their eagerness to learn, the class of 80-90-year-olds didn't want their teacher to stop.

Donna Callaway is already well established as a State Board of Education member for her role in bringing the new school science standards into question. Perhaps what is less publicized is her position as a Sunday School teacher for older women. Callaway said her life is following in the legacy left by her mother—who many years ago also taught the same age group.

"I think there's no greater tribute to pay to your ... mom than to say 'thank you' for bringing me up in the nurture of the Lord and may I be an honor to you as I try to bring that legacy of yours as a legacy of mine to lead for future generations," Callaway said. "We touch lives. And my mother touched my life and I hope I touch others the same gentle, kind, loving way that she's touched me. I want that to be passed along."

The veteran educator is more used to teaching younger students in the public school system, but Callaway said there are many similarities between the senior ladies and school-age children.

"As seniors grow and develop and they're approaching what you might call their twilight years, they're eager to know more," Callaway said. "They're sitting there wanting at their ages—it's just fascinating—to learn more."

Using the same techniques she honed as an educator, Callaway said she connects with the women by talking about things they can relate to, giving them a personal touch.

"They know they don't know it all even when they've been in church," Callaway said. "We're learning from each other new things every single week. ... If you can connect with them and show number one that you really care who they are and that you know them by name, they will listen to you and pay attention to you and even if you stumble they'll help you get through that."

As her experience with children in the public schools influences her teaching style during Sunday School, so do her religious experiences influence her time in the school system.

"Faith and life are meant to intersect," Callaway said. "We're put where we're supposed to be because of the intersections, not to avoid them, but to greet them and to welcome them."

There have been many times when Callaway said she was faced with a challenge and she could either stand up or back off. Her heart pounding, she knew she had one chance to make a difference in someone's life.

While she admits she hasn't always chosen to stand, especially in her early days as a principal, she said she soon realized there are no accidents in the life of a Christian trying to live according to God's plan and that He had placed her where she was for a reason.

Recently, Callaway argued to include academic freedom language in the new school science standards that promoted an evolution-only viewpoint.

"Christians who want to grow are the most fascinating people in the world. And growing is such a blessing, God's blessing," Callaway said. "That I landed on this state board with people who have not grown up necessarily the way I did—it has been a challenge."

During the context of the evolution debate, a reporter asked her if she could put aside her religious beliefs and think rationally, using common sense.

"That stunned me and floored me and made me come to life again I guess," Callaway said. "My answer to that was:'That is who I am. I can't not be who I am. I'm Donna Callaway and I'm a child of God. I cannot change that. Now can I be rational and use common sense? Yes, but it's all in light of who I am.'"

Callaway said she has had many opportunities to live out the love of Christ in the public schools and it has been a "thrilling" life—one she's considering returning to as principal.

"It's been kind of an evolution of its own, an evolving of who I am. And God has been very patient with me, has allowed me to grow up, has allowed me to have experiences some would call bad some would call good," Callaway said. "I call them blessings because it has forced me to face what kind of life He wants for me, and He wants all of me.

"I've been given some opportunities wonderfully to show that and to take not only the criticism, but taking the joyful faces I've seen on a lot of believers out there who are feeling the same way I am and we're all pulling for each other," Callaway continued. "It's like stand up. Stand up and you can lead."

The Christian life is not easy, Callaway admitted. But, God is faithful even in the midst of harrowing circumstances, she said recalling tough times with her own family. And those challenges have allowed her to relate to people on her staff who face difficulties in their lives.

"God carries us through some times on the wings of eagles," Callaway said.

Looking back at times when she had two teenagers, a husband, nine hours of college classes, and responsibilities as her church's organist and media specialist putting together the church library" Callaway said God had a purpose for her life.

"The only way I could do that is to give it all over to Him," Callaway said. "You sit back or stand up and go for it and you just see what the Lord can do. It's not me, let's just see what He can do if we give our lives all over to Him. And I'm trying very hard to do that and I'm looking forward to what He can do with me again."

Callaway said she is continually learning as God consistently keeps His promises as a "gentleman of the highest order."

"Being a Christian and being a disciple to me are kind of two different things," Callaway said. "You can be a Christian and for the longest time not really deliberately go out and live the Christian life. ... What I've discovered in the last few years is that there's another way and that's by giving myself away completely to the Lord and let that be my identity."