Teach On

I am unsure as to why God has looked on me so favorably this past week but once again, He came through and blessed my life and family because I got a teaching position in Austin!  I know I had previously mentioned that leaving my job in Houston was a HUGE risk but I had complete faith that if God wanted me in front of a classroom and working with children, He would make it happen.  I constantly prayed "God, I hope you think I'm a good teacher!  Lord, please open a door for me to have a classroom in Austin."


Last week, I had three interviews: one in Lake Travis on Monday and one at a private catholic school and one in Hays CISD in Kyle (south of Austin) on Tuesday.  I thought that the Hays interview went best and they informed me that if I made it to the second round of interviews (a "Teach Off" model lesson) they would notify me by Tuesday afternoon.  Tuesday CAME AND WENT...so did Wednesday morning.  I.was.bummed.  I spent last Wednesday afternoon at Mozart's preparing for my Kidstuff lesson at church and it was on prayer.  I used that as a time to pray hard for my "situation" and continued to ask God those questions.  No less than 30 minutes later, I received a call from Hays asking me to come in the next morning for the "Teach Off".  GOD LISTENS, people.  (However, I then enter panic mode because I have only a few hours to compile a whole lesson on teaching main idea and topic in expository texts...ay yi yi.)


The "Teach Off" went well and I knew I was up against two others that I had seen coming from their lessons.  The principal told me I would be notified by Tuesday morning, July 5th.  


(Note: "Morning hours" expire after 11:00-12:00, right? Then it becomes mid-day, afternoon...timing is VERY important here.)


Tuesday morning was GRUELING!  I was on edge...10:00, 11:00, 12:00...NO CALL.  (Morning hours are GONE.)  12:45 - I got the call!  The principal told me she had very good news and I got the position!  


I am now a SECOND GRADE teacher in Hays CISD at one of their newest elementary schools.  I could not be more thrilled as I loved the school, principal and the students I taught.  While moving from kindergarten to second grade will be a transition, I'm pretty excited about the change.  


Each day that I go to school, I will serve my children to the best of my abilities because I know what an amazing opportunity I've been given here.  There will not be a day that I take being a teacher for granted because I know how difficult it is in Texas right now.  If you ever hear a complaint from my mouth or typing fingers, you have the right to give me a swift kick in the head.  I am thankful for God's continuing grace and provision in my life.  


(So I guess that means the blog will continue...thankfully I have another year of teaching to blog about...  Now: WHAT TO DO WITH MY BLOG NAME?!)