The Many Worlds of Julie Raines: Teacher, Disney Fanatic, Friend

Step into Room 200 and you will find more than Les Misérables discussions, in-progress essays, or lessons on symbolism. Having a teacher who is equal parts expert in their field and connects so easily with their students is rare. Students love Mrs. Raines and flock to her because she is real—Mrs. Raines is genuine with her students, models what it looks like to live life for Christ day in and day out, and is unafraid to open up and share her fun quirks and interests with students.

Now in her 16th year here at Maranatha, Julie could not imagine teaching anywhere else. Having fun with what she teaches and pouring her passions into her curriculum helps drive her forward each day. Apart from inspiring students with her unmatchable Pride and Prejudice knowledge and Chris Pine insights, there is so much more to Mrs. Raines than even what her closest students may know about her.

Let us get one thing out of the way: yes, Mrs. Raines loves Disney. Believe it or not, Disney is not her only obsession.

Recently, Mrs. Raines has come to fully-embrace what it means to be a bona fide cat lady. "Cats make you earn their affection," she said, "—and I enjoy that." Julie's two cats, Pip (short for Corporal Philip Snugglebottom) and Luna Louise Lovegood, are spoiled like no other. "Nathan always says, 'We need more cat towers,'" Julie laughed, "I am like, 'Well, we have five in the house right now so…,'" Julie laughed. And not only are Pip and Luna the true masters of Castle Raines, but Julie gladly waits on their every beck and call, constantly outfitting them in the latest cat fashions and costume dress up.

Speaking of castles, let us return to the elephant mouse in the room: Disney. Julie's love of everything Disney began when she was around three. "My first picture that I have at Disney," Julie reflected, "is my mom holding me next to Mickey, and I'm trying to get down, 'cause I was a runner when I was a kid. The first time I went, I got lost—I booked it the second we got in the gate—I was off!" As traumatic as this was for her mom, trips out to Disneyland continued, and it was these consistent trips from her childhood that sparked something special within her that would eventually become a lifelong obsession for Mrs. Raines.

Although Julie enjoys Disney movies and all the memorabilia that goes along with them (more on her pin obsession later), Julie's real love of Disney is actually in the parks. "There is a difference between Disney entertainment," Julie said, "and Disney parks. For me, this is all about Disney parks and Walt Disney."

Those who know Mrs. Raines might think you have met the World's biggest Disney fan. However, Julie's passion for Disney met its match when she fell in love with her now husband, Nathan. "He loves it," Julie began with the biggest smile. "He is the one currently with the countdown on his phone. Every single day, he will tell me the countdown—'41 days, honey!'" Nathan's favorite Disney to-do is head straight to Magic Kingdom bright and early so the two of them can hit up Starbucks together off Main Street and enjoy each other's company in the little alley around the corner listening to the Dapper Dans while soaking up Walt's wonderful World.

There is so much more to be said of Disney that speaks to Julie—just how inspiring a place it is to be, how obsessed she is with pin collecting (what was once a single lanyard has evolved into an entire room in her house!), or how Disney has been a magical getaway for her amidst challenging times.

Although Mrs. Raines might say that all the magic in the World resides in Orlando, Florida, the true magic lies within Julie herself. She is, for lack of a better word, one of the most magical people you will ever meet. Her love for life, God, and husband Nathan rivals the greatest love story Walt could ever tell, and her ability to connect with others and point them to Christ is stronger than any sword in the stone.

The truth is, people like Mrs. Raines do not come around every day.

When people say "they are one in a million," they're talking about Julie Raines.