Is it possible that in the time span between my blogs, when there were moments I actually had some time to blog, but was unable to find a single thing to write about, that as I sit here, in reflection/ anticipation (not sure which) time itself has changed everything!
Part Four:
I knew it would be a miracle to secure employment in an economy where few to no bond issues passed, teachers were being cut, and electives were less and less popular. But, I serve someone so much bigger than our economy. My best friend, Chewbaca, she says, I have the strangest best luck.
When I saw the posting at LP I decided it was a long shot, but I called in a few favors. No matter how crappy I treated people in high school, I never treated teachers or principals without utmost respect. So, you can call it fate or destiny that while sitting in a PLC meeting at CV, the key note speaker was my old AP, but I know it isn't fate, I know His plan, His will, was just starting in motion. I emailed him, as I knew he used to principal LP, and asked for a favor. With that nod, I felt I had secured an interview.
If that interview was any clue as to what the market was like out there, then YIKES! I pulled in to the paking lot, and who was coming out but one of my classmates. I felt like a traitor, but I had earned the interview fair and square. Rather than rattle my nerves, I focused on my interview. While waiting, and waiting, and waiting, for the person ahead of me to finish, I read a wonderful book about PLC's. The dept. chair from one of my previous schools walked out of the interview. Shock, could I really know every single person to interview?
The next day I had another interview at AC. I didn't know of anyone else who would be interviewing here, and they even had two openings. I loved both schools, and both opportunities. I remember that the week prior I had been praying that God's will be done. Something quite hard for me to pray for because I am a CONTROL FREAK! I remember a little discussion, something about distance, demographics, best of both worlds, good starting salary, etc. but ultimately, I decided for His will, not mine, because when I decide, I get things wrong. When I left the interview at AC, I remember calling my husband and telling him God was going to make me choose between 2 schools, two jobs. I was certain I had nailed both interviews.
My first welcoming into the politics of school districts came the following week. I wasn't given either job, but both had asked to forward my info on to two other schools, and even let me in on some of the happenings within their department, and a promise of a call in the future, etc. I tried hard, really hard, not to take the reigns back, and instead to see that the opportunities would keep coming as long as people kept forwarding me on. SO NOT LIKE ME!!! I think it was God's test, I guess I probably got a B-, but His grace, well, it is more than I deserve.
In the meantime, hmm, how many interviews, how many jobs had I applied to? LOTS! I started applying everywhere, middle school, high school, near, far, north, south. When I finally came to know, I mean like know, that you know, that you know, kind of know.... I had done everything possible on my part, and the rest was stepping out on faith, and sticking to His will. It was a dry spell. A scary dry spell, where I was ready to start accepting that I may be that person who is called one week before school starts and offered a job via phone. School days were ticking down, and while I felt a sense of relief, just knowing something would happen, it was still quite terrifying not knowing the details of my future.
I asked Ernie one day if he thought I should follow-up with some of the schools that I had been forwarded to, and we decided, why not? Well, I guess sometimes I do listen when the Lord is speaking. At the very moment I called an AP she was looking at my resume. She set up an interview right then, and she said she liked my organization. Phew!
Thirty minutes later, I also had an interview at the other school, but the had called me. Timing is everything sometimes! In the meantime, another position also called. Three interviews in my last week of classes? No problem! (Except maybe for needing to dry clean a lot!)
Cheri had told me a thousand times that there was a place, a school, a position for everyone. It was more about where you fit, and how I would know it when I was there. No, I don't believe there is only one school or one situation for everyone, I think there are various places that will work for everyone, but sometimes, you just know.
I drove to a school in Aurora. It was a really easy drive. As I pulled in to school, I saw a million different colored faces, styles, languages. I took it all in, and I felt peace. I knew that Rich was in the interview ahead of me, so I came in, met the secretary, and began writing my thank you cards. Sometimes I send thank you's via e-mail, rarely do I not send some sort of email response, but today, it just felt like writing a card was the best thing to do.
This was interview that felt like magic. Every answer lead directly into the next question. The staff, the principal, the location, the demographics, the job description... it felt like I had just put on my favorite pair of jeans. Gateway is my perfect fit. It is everything I could have prayed for.
I had two more interviews that week, one, which felt nothing close to my favorite jeans, and more like swallowing a cactus. The other, hmm, it felt like home too. I love that principal too. In fact, we have talked several times, she even went golfing with my aunt. What are the odds?
It was during a discussion with a friend that it hit me. I did have to decide between two positions. And, just as I had prayed, the decision was easy, but no love was lost along the way. I am going to a school where I feel like I was meant, designed, trained up and divinely created to be a part of. I wasn't asked to coach, I wasn't asked to do more than be myself, and to teach. The hours are great and work for Ern and my schedule. The demographics and location are exactly what I prayed for. The school colors are orange and black (Orange is Ernie's favorite). The department is young and fresh and new. The dept. chair has 20+ years military and industry experience, and sees my skill set for the potential it holds. Yep, I will be a Gateway Olympian in the fall. So, my strangest, best luck (aka God's will for my life) took on a shape that I never could've believed I was deserving of.
This is my happy ending. I think that the book for the journey to teaching has come to a close. Now, as I look around for items to decorate my classroom with, or reading about benefits, salaries, PERA, PLC's, teaching technology, or just overall thinking about my next year... While it might be just another chapter in my life, I feel instead like it is a start of a new book, a new life, and a new way of living. It is humbling to pray for God's will and then to have Him bless me beyond my heart's desire. I can see His plan, His progress in each and every experience I have encountered this past year, two years even. It feels like my heart is going to explode when I consider it all, reflect on it all. Everyone, especially my sweet, sweet husband, the support I received; it consumes me. It leaves me thinking one thought...
My cup runeth over!
fin
