So I am just going to through it out there and say:
I lost my job on April 30th.
Now, before you throw out the"that's not super exciting news..." and "after you just worked 80 hours a week during the busy tax season!?!" and "how could they??" let me just say I have been hiding a secret...
You see, ever since last April (of 2012) I have known that accounting was not for me. Crunching numbers, sitting behind a computer, working ungodly hours to see no reward...you get the point. I have not been happy with my job for quite sometime.
In February, I had had enough. I was tired of wasting my time with a job I hated and decided it was time I pursued my true passion: teaching!
I know, I know..."but you have a master's degree and could make triple what a teacher makes..." I. Don't. Care. I am ready to go to work and be passionate about what I do.
Here is the back-story to teaching:
I always known I wanted to be a teacher. I lovelovelove kids. Like love them! Growing up in a small town (1,500 people) I felt as though I needed to "prove" myself; have that big corporate job and "become something." I always felt that teaching was a "last resort" because soooo many people always said, "oh if (fill in the blank) doesn't work out, I'll just teach." Like teaching was the bottom of the barrel, end of the road, last resort. Being an overachiever, I didn't want to give off the impression I was taking the "easy" way out. I didn't graduate college in three years and get an MBA to take the easy way out.
Let me back up and say that I think teaching could be one of the hardest professions out there. My mom was a special education teacher for a number of years and I have seen first-hand the lives she touched and impact she made.
Teaching may be a last resort to some, but it isn't to me.
After I realized the corporate world sucks (or maybe it just isn't for me), Chris and I talked it over and we decided now (in February) would be the perfect time for me to start getting certified to teach. Having Chris's support meant the world to me. He saw everyday how miserable I was and it killed him. He lovesss his job and knowing that I hated mine, well, it made him feel really bad.
So, I was secretly getting certified to teach elementary school while getting my master's degree and working a tax season.
Then, dun dun dunnnnn...
April 30th I got "let go" and let-me-tell-you....I HONESTLY had never been more relieved in my life! I HATE quitting anything and it was giving me anxiety thinking about having to quit in June/July to find a teaching job. I felt as though it was a weight lifted off my shoulders. And the BEST part yet...they are paying me until June 30th! Had I just quit I wouldn't have got all this free time to find a job, all while getting paid!
So basically I am on a paid vacation. Livin' that housewife dream....yet still bringing home some moolah.
And you think God is already crazy? Wait until you hear this!!!
Teaching in the DFW metroplex is like trying to work on Wall Street in NYC; almost impossible. It is so hard to find a job here. I knew it would be up to God and tons of prayer for me to find a job.
On May 13th I went to an education job fair and was blown the freak away. I have never in my life felt so intimidated. Most people would say I can hold my own in a room full of people and very little intimidates me, but this, wow. Even with a master's degree, I felt like I didn't have the credentials to compete with these people.
I remember saying a prayer as I was walking into the building. I asked God to lead me to the school I was called to be at. I asked Him to give me a sign as to where I needed to go.
As soon as I walked in I was overwhelmed. I got in a line. Yup, just a line. I asked the girl in front of me what this line was for and she named two school districts that she thought the line led to. Being impatient I bee lined it for my dream district. The line at that booth was unorganized and by the grace of God I weaseled my way to the front. A nice lady had me fill out some paperwork. After looking over the papers she said she thought I was perfect for a position at a specific school and that principal was actually at the job fair.
She went to get him and I was in shock! These job fairs are like running cattle through a barn. You get a couple seconds, maybe a minute, to introduce yourself and off to the next booth you go. They see thousands of people, so getting quality time with a principal is rare.
When the principal approached me we clicked instantly. I can't tell you what it was, but I felt like I could work for this guy. We got to talking and we talked for about ten minutes. TEN minutes people! THIS girl kept a principal's interest for TEN minutes!!
I think I was dripping sweat and possible shaking. I don't think I took a breath either, but I knew at that moment I had never been that excited for a job in my life.
What the principal and I talked about is like a blur in my head, but I do remember him say something along the lines of "I don't hire teachers for their experience, I hire hard workers who can become good teachers...and from what I can tell, you're one heck of a hard worker." Thank you God.
He asked me to email him later that day and touch base. Umm, okay?!!!
As I walked away from that booth I went to my second choice district. Andddd it was a cattle call. I talked to the principal for about 30 seconds and off I went.
Overwhelmed by everything, I left. I was seriously too overwhelmed.
Later that day I sent the email to the principal I talked to and he quickly replied wanting to set up at time to interview. I seriously scored an interview?? I was in shock!
Without dragging this story out any longer, I had two interviews on Wednesday, May 22nd. One with the cattle call school and another with my "favorite" principal.
I felt great about both interviews, but definitely favored the one. Something just clicked and I really knew I wanted to work for that principal and work at his school.
Thursday morning the phone rang and it was my "favorite" principal. He wanted me to come back in to "meet the whole fifth grade team." Imagine me shrieking with excitement, calling Chris and yelling with glee, and acting like a giddy little girl.
I went and met the team last Thursday and this past Thursday I got the call asking if I would accept a position as a fifth grade teacher!!!
Y'all, God is good! I had everyone and their mom praying for me and without prayer and Him, this would have NEVER been possible. To score one interview in this area is rare and two score two is unheard of ESPECIALLY when you don't have an education degree or any actual teaching experience.
I didn't want to let the cat out of the bag any sooner because I wanted to stay focused on finding a job. Now that I am officially employed I can shout it from the roof tops!!
I can't wait to start this new chapter in my career. I know this is what I was called to do and I know this is where my heart is.
So, until school starts, I will continue to get my tan on, soak up the sweet life, and never forget...anything is possible with hard-work, dedication, and a whole-lotta prayer :)
Happy Monday!!
Linking up with Meg, Leeann, Carly, and Molly!
