Knock on Wood

Don't ever say to yourself, "It's so nice to not be in limbo this year."  That's exactly what I was thinking as the school year came to a close and I figured I would be back in the same place next year.  I didn't have to anticipate a new semester of college anymore because that chapter of life was done.  I didn't even have to search for a job because we all know how much fun that is!

Well, I was wrong.  Very wrong.  Just a couple of days after thinking that, I was "let go".  "You mean even though you gave me a letter inviting me back to teach next year?"  "Sorry that letter has no weight when it comes to losing budget."  Great.  Thanks for jumping the gun on that one.

Why me?  Of course that's what I asked myself.  Should I even look for a position? Should I stay home? IS there even a position anywhere?  It was pretty late in the game at that point.  Or so I thought.

There are a lot of reasons why I want to keep teaching.  I love how rewarding it is!  Every day is different and there's always room to grow and learn.  I want to avoid having my teaching license expire if I put off teaching for 3 years. But most of all it's rewarding.

I also saw the benefit of staying at home.  I love spending time with Talon all day.  It's so rewarding to spend my energy being a homemaker and mother full-time. 

Not only was I in limbo... I was on a rollercoaster and I couldn't see the track in front of me.  I decided to look for a job and if it didn't work out, that was fine too.

I found an opening 5 minutes from my house AND it was only 4 days a week.  That was definitely doable.  Well, small-town politics seemed to be in the mix.  Now THAT was an awkward interview.  "Just go in there and be yourself and even if it doesn't work out that's all that matters.  It's all about who you know anyways," says the secretary just moments before I walk in to the interview.  Wow thanks for the pep talk!  I told myself it wouldn't matter either way, but I was bummed when the rejection letter showed up.

I heard of another opening, but this one was 30 minutes away.  Unfortunately there weren't any closer options this late in the game.  "What the heck.  It's worth a shot.  If nothing else it will be good interview practice."

This time the interview was perfect!  They offered me the job right on the spot.  Our personalities even seemed to click.  At one point they even asked me if I had seen the interview questions beforehand!  I asked if they could do part-time.  They said sure.  I said I would have to think about it.

It was nice to feel wanted, but more than that, this felt like a perfect fit.  So after the weekend I called back and said YES.  I will be teaching math at a high school that caters to an "at-risk" population.  I know it will be a challenge but I am excited.  Somehow the teachers there are 100% there for the students first and foremost.  The students WANT to come to school.  I've got a big job ahead of me and a lot to live up to, but I am excited!  I can't think of a better place to grow as a teacher and love what I do even more.

It's sad to see summer go and know my time with Talon will be more limited but I know this is where I need to be.  Even with the longer commute, I won't be away from home any longer than I was last year which I'm stoked about.  I don't think it will ever be easy to see the lazy summer months fade away and along with it full-time mommyhood.  It just won't. 

But, if I can influence even one student for the better, it will be worth it.