Faith Over Fear

It’s been exactly one month since my final last day of school. I knew then that I wouldn’t be going back to teach in Room 22, and on that day, I felt a swirl of emotions—gratitude, sadness, excitement, and, if I’m being honest, a little fear. Stepping away from something I’ve known and loved for years—my classroom, my students, the rhythm of the school year—wasn’t easy. But beneath all the noise of what-ifs and maybes, there was a quiet but steady voice reminding me: Faith over fear.

That phrase became our school’s unofficial motto back in 2020, during the uncertain days of distance learning and daily pivots that COVID brought with it. We clung to it like a life raft. “Faith over fear” didn’t make hard things go away, but it helped us face them with strength, steadiness, and a deeper belief that we weren’t walking through the chaos alone. It’s a phrase that settled deep into my heart, and I’ve carried it with me ever since.

Faith has always played a foundational role in my life. It’s the lens through which I’ve made many of my biggest decisions, including this one—leaving a secure, predictable teaching career to start my own private tutoring business. That kind of leap doesn’t come without late-night doubts or moments of second-guessing. But every time I start to spiral, I come back to the truth that’s anchored me again and again: when I move in faith, I’m never really falling—I’m being led.

I want to be clear—this post isn’t about pushing a particular belief system or assuming that everyone shares mine. I know we all draw strength from different places. Some find it in their faith, others in family, nature, meditation, or simply in the quiet knowing that they've walked through hard things before and come out stronger. However you define your source of strength, I believe in honoring it.

For me, my faith reminds me that I’m part of something bigger than myself, that I’m not in control of everything (even though I often try to be!), and that when I choose to trust instead of fear, I find peace. Not perfection. Not ease. But peace.

Starting AB Tutoring is a leap, yes—but it’s also an act of obedience and hope. I truly believe that this next chapter will be full of growth—not just for me, but for every student and family I get to serve. I didn’t leave the classroom because I was burnt out or tired. I left because I felt called to reach kids in a different way, to support families more personally, and to use my gifts in a space where relationships come first.

So, if you're standing at the edge of something uncertain, I hope you know this: it’s okay to be nervous. It’s okay to not have all the answers. I certainly don't. But fear doesn’t get the final say. You do. I do. Whether it’s launching a new business, making a change for your child, or simply taking one brave step toward something unfamiliar—you are capable, you are seen, and you are not alone.

Here’s to choosing faith over fear, again and again.

With Gratitude,

Ashley