*Clint and Anna were married on March 12, 2016, at First Baptist Church in New Boston. (Photo by Kristi Black Photography)*

*Clint and Anna at NetXtreme Youth Camp at Lakeview, where they take their youth group each year.*

Anna (far right) and the rest of the 2019-2020 New Boston Elementary kindergarten team gather on the last day of school so students could drop their packets off, and the teachers could wave goodbye to them.

*Clint with Luke Huckaby, one of his 2020 graduating Robotics students.*

Everyone that knows Anna and Clint Edmonds could tell you about their love for God, each other, and what they do. Both are teachers who have a passion for helping their students. Clint works as a science teacher, carpenter, and youth minister all-in-one. Anna is a sincere kindergarten teacher going on her sixth year of teaching.

Anna and Clint were engaged during August of 2015. Both nearing the end of their college experience, Anna was starting her first week of student teaching, and Clint was starting his last semester of classes at East Texas Baptist University. Clint had a camping trip planned for them and some friends. After Anna’s day at Hallsville North Elementary, they were headed to Beavers Bend for the weekend. Anna says, “I was excited to have a fun weekend but little did I know that our lives were about to change.” Upon arrival, Clint immediately took his soon-to-be fiancée to a beautiful spot by the lake and popped the question. He was extremely excited and nervous that he forgot to get down on one knee but that didn’t stop Anna from saying yes! They were then married on March 12, 2016, at New Boston’s First Baptist Church, Anna’s home church. They were encircled with love, and the day couldn’t have gone any better.

Also during December of 2015, Anna began teaching kindergarten at New Boston ISD, a few weeks before they both graduated from ETBU. “Teaching kindergarten has always been my dream. I remember playing school in my backyard with my sister and kids in my neighborhood and always fantasizing about what a classroom of my own would be like,” remembers Anna. She always thought about following in her Mimi’s footsteps, who is also a kindergarten teacher. Anna is honored to be teaching kindergarten in the school district where she received her K-12 education.

Working with children and getting to be their advocate is something Anna treasures. “There’s no better feeling than to look around my classroom and see the excitement and joy in each of my students’ eyes,” Anna mentions. At the beginning of each year, she works diligently to establish a classroom culture of consistency. She makes sure each student feels safe, valued, and loved. Being many students’ first teacher is very special to Anna. “I will always be there to cheer them on as they find their place in the world,” Anna commented. She is also grateful for the strong group of ladies that she gets to work with on the NB kindergarten team. Anna says she is thankful for each of them and how well they all work together.

Soon after Clint graduated college with a degree focused in ministry, he was hired at Malta Baptist Church as their part-time youth minister. Clint enjoys spending time with the MBC youth group, leading worship on Sundays, and giving the children’s sermon each week. Anna helps manage their church’s social media, care for their youth group, and run the computer and sound board during services.

Clint has always felt the call on his life to minister and work with youth. While also working a position in the lumber department at Lowe’s, he began the process of getting his alternative teaching certification.

Just before the fall of 2017, Clint was hired to teach science at Redwater High School. He first taught Integrated Physics and Chemistry, or IPC. Since then he has taught Chemistry, Forensic Science, and has received his technology teaching certificate to teach Robotics.

Clint loves everything about Redwater ISD and has enjoyed working with the amazing administration and staff. For the upcoming fall of 2020, Clint is planning to teach Chemistry, Robotics, Forensic Science, while also being the sponsor for Redwater’s Trap Shooting and UIL Robotics teams.

Woodworking has always had a special place in Clint’s heart as well. When he and Anne were first married, he started making a few things for their apartment. He made a bookshelf, a dog kennel cover, refinished their kitchen table, and made a unity cross that they assembled during their wedding. He was given the opportunity to make a farmhouse table for his parents, and Anna posted a picture of it on Facebook. They received nothing but positive feedback and encouragement to start a page showcasing his projects.

They talked about it, then decided it would be a great opportunity for Clint to build for others in the community. More and more people started asking Clint to make personalized projects from then on out. Since they started their social media account, Clint has learned more about woodworking, and it’s been something that they could do together during time off. Clint builds the furniture while Anna helps paint, stain, and manage the social media accounts.

When thinking about what to name their small business, they definitely wanted it to be meaningful. In Clint’s words, “2x2 Carpentry has a double meaning ... one symbolizing dimensional lumber and the other signifying the way that Noah had the animals enter the ark.”

*The perfect 2x2 Carpentry team, Clint builds the furniture while Anna helps paint and stain each piece.*

Clint enjoys getting to work with a variety of people in varying atmospheres. He has not just one but three jobs that are all exciting and rewarding. “I’m so thankful that I am able to live out God’s call for my life to work with youth and hopefully make a difference in their lives,” says Clint.

As far as the future goes, Anna and Clint plan to stay put where they are. “We truly love our jobs and the communities we are a part of. We are so thankful to work with such great people each day, while also getting to build relationships with our students,” comments Anna. They will continue trusting in the Lord in order to continue to be lights for the Kingdom where He leads them.

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