Exuding Joy

“I love playing piano and singing and originally went to school to become a composer,” says TCS 4th grade teacher, Marie DiBiase. “I always thought I would have a career in music; that’s what I studied for two years in college. In the summer before I started pursuing my major, I really began praying for God to lead my next steps. At that point, God began to lead me down this new path where I could use all of the gifts He gave me in one area, education. I feel I can use each of my God-given gifts to teach and encourage students.”

This past summer, Marie married her longtime love Jon DiBiase. He served as a Marine and deployed to Iraq in two tours. Marie has a twin sister and an older brother. “I recently became an aunt!” she smiles.

“Growing up, I always heard there’s usually one attribute of God that people are known for having,” she says. “I always hope I show the joy of God to everyone I’m around. I enjoy laughing and encouraging people.”

“I love teaching fourth grade, especially math and science!” Marie says. “At this point in their academic journeys, students have a mindset that either they are good or bad at different subjects. My goal for every one of my students is that they learn to love every single subject area and feel that they have the potential to be successful in every subject, even if it doesn’t come easy for them at first.”

“My favorite thing about teaching at TCS is I get to influence every area of a child’s life. I get the privilege of helping mold my students academically, socially, and spiritually. It is such a joy to see how a child begins to learn more, to love God, and to serve those around them.”

Marie shares her favorite Bible verse:

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

–        Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

“This verse was spoken at my grandmother’s funeral, so I have some emotional attachment to it,” says Marie. “I feel this verse possesses so much wisdom that I felt my grandmother had.  It also helps me to understand God more. There are many seasons in our lives and not all of them make sense or provide comfort to us, but, they allow for the power and the grace of God to be revealed.”