So due to the uncertainty of the situation, I've been keeping some really good news on the down low, but I just can't keep it in any more!!! I'm liable to explode if I keep it in any longer. I'm just that excited about it! So, I'll start the story at the beginning. Also while I don't normally talk about how God works in my life, His presence has been so apparent I couldn't help but include Him in my story. :)
So last fall (gosh a year ago this weekend! Boy how time flies!) I decided to move to Vermont after the school year ended. Simply put, I was ready to move home. In the spring I several other reasons for leaving came up. The biggest being that projected enrollment for the following school year was down. The three teachers who had worked the fewest years in the school district were given pink slips. Yep, that included me. Regardless of my plan to leave, it was hard to swallow. I mean how could I get a pink slip?! I took it as a sign from God that I had made the right decision. It also gave me faith that He would provide in such an uncertain situation (since I decided to move whether or not I had a job).
In June I made the big move. Soon there after I ended up connecting with family friends who were moving out of their house and into an in-law suite with their son. They were looking for someone they knew and trusted to rent their house. Yep, you guessed it, that's me! The house is beautiful, big, and exactly where I was hoping to live. Ok and one of my college friends was also looking for a roommate. So the prefect place is also affordable for us. I'm telling you so many things have worked out that it just can't be coincidence.
Side note - I am so thankful to have been unemployed this summer. While I was still collecting salary from my previous job, it was just so freeing not to have to worry about (lesson planning, etc.) this coming school year. I was able to enjoy friends, family, and the summer in a way that I haven't been able to do since I started teaching. It was a blessing to have the freedom and unlimited time to help others. This summer alone has made up for all of the time lost with my family when I was in South Carolina and Kentucky.
Back to the story... Since there were so many signs that I was meant to move to Vermont I truly didn't worry about finding a teaching position. I had faith that God provide me with the perfect job. I applied for every teaching position within an hour drive. It wasn't until my friends in Kentucky started school that I sort of began to get antsy. God works on his own time, but I longed to know something of what He had in mind for my career. A couple weeks ago I was called for my third interview of the summer at Barre Town Middle and Elementary School. It gave me hope just when I was starting to worry. God knew just what I needed. Sadly though, I was a little disappointed when I didn't get the kindergarten position.
All summer God was telling me that I would be substituting this school year. I really didn't want to accept that and kept pushing that little voice out of my head. Nevertheless it kept coming back and saying the same thing. I will be substituting this school year. So last Thursday morning I gave in. There were two jobs posted at a nearby school one was a regular teaching position and the other was a long term sub position. I applied for the sub position.
Hours after I submitted that application... I got a call from the principal in Barre (where I didn't get the kindergarten job). She had a first grade teacher who had just been put on bed rest and wouldn't be able to start the school year. Was I still available and would I be interested in substituting for her? Yes, yes, and yes! Receiving that call was like God saying to me: "Amanda, I've been waiting for you to show that you trust in my ways. Now I can begin to unveil my plans for you." First grade is exactly the grade I was hoping to teach! Also my new car has cruise control. Not a coincidence in my book. God is Good!
So I went to the school Friday to start the paperwork and find out what I had to do to prepare for school starting Tuesday (that's today). It turns out that the teacher had the room completely ready. All I had to do was make lesson plans. Awesome, I can do that no problem, plus would have Monday during the inservice day to meet the other first grade teachers to get more specifics about how things are done at their school. Oh wait, Tropical Storm Irene came into the picture and flooded out many roads. School (the inservice day) was canceled Monday. That was nerve wracking! Luckily my team teacher called and answered all of the questions I had.
Today was the first day of school. It went so well! The kids were great. The parents I met were really supportive. Everyone at the school has been so helpful. There were two people in the classroom helping me out today. I was so thankful to have had them. They were both complementary about how calm I seemed despite the circumstances and how smoothly the day went. Yey! It was great to be teaching again!
So, the reason I've been keeping this story mostly to myself is that I am still not sure how long this gig will last. What is certain is that I committed to substitute for her now while she was on bed rest and for her maternity leave. Whether the two will be continuous or interrupted (if she comes off bed rest) is yet to be determined. I could be working for one week, two weeks, or through February. If and when I become an official long-term substitute I'll be paid based on the regular teacher's salary and get benefits. But again, I don't know when that will happen. Can you see how it is hard this is for me? Ugh. I am so excited to see how this story evolves. I have faith that God will continue to carry through with his plan and slowly reveal it to me.
Thanks for reading my novel of a story. :)
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