Abigail Eagan, lovingly called “Miss Abby” by her students, certainly isn’t a stranger at Weimar Academy.
As an assistant girls’ dean at Weimar Academy for two years ago, Eagan had been prayerfully trying to figure out what the Lord wanted to do with her life. She knew she loved both music and kids. However, there’s one thing she said she would never do — be a teacher.
“One day during a lesson, my piano teacher told me that she would like to teach me how to teach piano,” says Eagan remembering life before her current role at Weimar Academy.
Eagan’s mind was set, and so she told her teacher that she wasn’t interested. After a series of providences, Eagan came to believe that God was calling her to teach. So she said, “Lord, I am not going to teach unless it’s on this date, and you’re going to have to pop the students in my lap.”
The next morning, she woke up to a voicemail from her piano teacher saying that she had eight students she would like Abby to start teaching right away. Over the next school year, Eagan worked very closely with her music teacher while instructing thirteen students. She also had the opportunity to work for a health program called Weimar Wellness Ministries (WIN).
When the next summer rolled around, Eagan started to ask God what He would have her do, as she felt that she didn’t need any more training in teaching piano. After taking an intensive midwifery course, as well as a conducting class, and going to a camp where she conducted a choir, Eagan was starting to get worried as the next semester loomed before her. She kept praying hard that God would show her what she needed to do next.
Out of the blue, she received a call from a close friend with an important question which required an answer for the next day. The friend explained that there was an assistant dean position open at Weimar Academy.
Eagan said she was blank to the idea at first since she’d already taken a year off school. She wanted to get on with her life and pursue a career through college education. After talking with God, she decided to interview for the job. Shortly after the interview with Mrs. Margaret Gallant, dean of girls, she received a call welcoming her to the Weimar Academy staff.
It was her chance to claim the promise in one of her favorite Bible verses, Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Along with serving as the assistant girl’s dean, Eagan assisted Rina Ritivoiu in directing the choir. She also had the phenomenal opportunity to work with Steven Zork, a choir director at Andrews University. Upon Ritivoiu’s departure, Eagan was named as the choir director for the academy.
“Miss Abby has been a real mentor and friend to the academy students” stated Madison Hulsey, freshman at Weimar Academy.
“I love a lot of things about Miss Abby. What I love most about her is that she’s more than just a choir teacher, she’s a friend,” says another academy student.
Eagan’s note of advice to the youth is to always surrender to God’s will and to let Him guide you throughout life even if you have to give up your earthly desires.
She says, “You never know where He’s going to take you and its probably going to be far above what you dreamed for yourself. Be open to His leading and pray for His leading.”
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By Andrea McCraw, a senior at Weimar Academy