Well, a large amount of time has passed since I finally made the large move and transition to the state of Illinois. I have now taught for almost three months. It sure has been a wild ride!
The start of school was crazy. With working at the first ever charter school in the area, we had many deadlines to meet and many changes that occurred (and still do) on a daily basis in regards to procedures, classroom sizes, materials, etc. I think I have attended enough after school meetings to last me for the rest of my life!
A few days before the children arrived to school, I was placed as the only 4th grade teacher. Another teacher took the 5th grade class. For two weeks, I had 47 rowdy inner-city students packed in an overheated room. Boy was that a blast! (!!!!) I thought I was going to loose my mind and really questioned my ability to teach.
Eventually, another 4th grade teacher came and I ended up having 28 students. The majority of which are classified as "problem students": a.k.a. behavioral disorders, kicked out of other schools, violent, horrific backgrounds, etc. Every day has been a huge struggle to get these students to trust me and to know that I am supportive of them and that I won't harm them. So far, all that hard work is seeming to pay off. I have students who write me letters on a daily basis and always end the day by telling me "thank you" and "I love you." That has meant the world to me. I really do love each and every one of my students. They are such blessings!
In regards to life-out-of-school, I can't say that there is a whole lot of time for much else! I have gotten involved in the church that I heard about when I first came to visit Illinois. I am halfway done with my membership classes at St. Mark Lutheran Church. I also am an active member of the young adult group. On Sundays, I have begun to teach the 4 and 5 years olds for Sunday school which is always a lot of fun! It's a big difference to teach the wee ones that come from good homes and then the big kids at school whose lives are a constant struggle.
I have also begun to make some friends. There are several teachers at the school that I have become good friends with. I also have made some friends at church and in my apartment complex (mainly grandma-like figures here at the apartment). My best friend and partner in crime is Joey. He is a HUGE follower of Christ that I met on my first day of church in the end of July when I first moved out here. I don't know what I'd do without him!
Overall, teaching is going well. There is a lot of stress and different things to worry about daily (not to mention the fact that there has been ringworm, lice, scabies, H1N1, regular flu, colds, sinus infections, and strep throat plaguing our school). No matter what, I know that God has definitely put these people and places in my life for a reason. Daily I try to remind myself that I am here for a purpose and that God has a wonderful plan for my life that continues to unfold.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Signed and Returned
I finally received my offer letter, letter of intent, and employment information for my new teaching job. It turns out that what was originally offered to me for a starting salary has changed, and luckily it was an increase! I am so glad that happened because now I feel more financially stable with the move. The information I received also informed me that the grade level that I thought I would be teaching was changed... instead of 4th grade, I will be teaching 5th. 5th grade is my favorite grade!!! I am so excited! :)
Time is moving quickly and a large amount of my packing has been accomplished. Next Saturday morning is when I will leave for Illinois. My aunt, uncle, and grandmother are going to stay with me for a few days, help me with the move, and help to get me used to my new home.
I guess here is where I should mention that I have noticed that anything that CAN go wrong when hurrying to move WILL go wrong. For instance: My van needed to get inspected before leaving for Illinois since the inspection stickers run out at the end of July. When I went to get it inspected, the van failed and the cost to fix the different parts in order to pass inspection were more costly then what the van is actually worth. Financially, I could not afford a new car. God was gracious and didn't let this huge set-back keep me from getting to where I need to be. Just 24 hours after hearing about the van, a family friend was willing and able to contribute to the purchase of a nice used car. I am now the proud owner of my first ever car... a nice 2000 Ford Taurus and I love it!
God has helped me along my path to getting to Illinois in so many ways and I am getting more excited each and every day to start my life in this new state. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me in the upcoming days, weeks, months, and even years.
Time is moving quickly and a large amount of my packing has been accomplished. Next Saturday morning is when I will leave for Illinois. My aunt, uncle, and grandmother are going to stay with me for a few days, help me with the move, and help to get me used to my new home.
I guess here is where I should mention that I have noticed that anything that CAN go wrong when hurrying to move WILL go wrong. For instance: My van needed to get inspected before leaving for Illinois since the inspection stickers run out at the end of July. When I went to get it inspected, the van failed and the cost to fix the different parts in order to pass inspection were more costly then what the van is actually worth. Financially, I could not afford a new car. God was gracious and didn't let this huge set-back keep me from getting to where I need to be. Just 24 hours after hearing about the van, a family friend was willing and able to contribute to the purchase of a nice used car. I am now the proud owner of my first ever car... a nice 2000 Ford Taurus and I love it!
God has helped me along my path to getting to Illinois in so many ways and I am getting more excited each and every day to start my life in this new state. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me in the upcoming days, weeks, months, and even years.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Story Behind the Move
After applying to several schools in the state of PA and not hearing much back, I decided to start applying to out-of-state schools. From what I had seen and experienced in PA, I realized that my calling appeared to be charter schools. I liked how many charter schools catered students from broken families and low income areas. These are the kids that I really have a heart for and I want to be a positive mentor in their lives.
While looking for jobs on several teaching job search engines, I came across one for a brand new charter school in Rockford, Illinois called Legacy Academy of Excellence Charter School. I was impressed with how determined the founders of this school appeared to be in regards to reaching out to the children of Rockford. It is officially the first charter school in this area. I decided to email the director my resume and cover letter. The very next day, I received a phone call asking if I would be interested in an interview. After consulting with my parents and my grandmother, I decided to try for the job.
On Tuesday, June 30th, my grandmother and I headed out for the long drive to Illinois. We drove about 10 hours that day, rested in a hotel, and drove about 5 more hours the following morning. On Wednesday, July 1st, we finally reached Rockford. We decided it would be a good idea to check out apartments, grocery stores, and local areas in case I made the move. We chose a random apartment complex name off of the list of researched apartment complexes that my grandmother had put together. Upon arrival at this complex, we met the manager who just happened to have worked in Lebanon, PA (my hometown), for several years. SMALL WORLD! This woman claimed that God had sent us to her for a reason and she wanted to help us. Because of her firm belief that God ordained her to help us, she (dressed up in her company manager uniform) took us in her car (company vehicle) and drove us around Rockford to the apartment complexes that she thought would be the safest and best places for me. She was such a blessing and was kind enough to offer her church as a place that I could attend if I moved. She also wished us good luck. Because she could get fired for what she was doing, we only grabbed brochures from each place and then after we left the manager, my grandmother and I went to inspect the apartments that she had shown us.
Each apartment was nice, but the last one we saw was the one that I really liked. On Thursday, (the day of my interview) we got up early in the morning to go and look at this place. Unfortunately, we only saw floor plans at that point in time. It had a garage that led into a nice kitchen. It also had a dining room, living room, laundry area, bathroom, and two bedrooms. The manager told us that one apartment was available for the time that I thought I would need to move (middle of August). After looking around, it was time for me to get ready for my interview.
We arrived at Legacy Academy of Excellence Charter School and took a short look around. There was already someone in one of the classrooms being interviewed. I guess here is where I should mention that when I was scheduled for an interview, the woman that I spoke to told me that she had been making interview appointments for weeks. I felt nervous and knew my chances could be very slim. It was finally time for my interview and I went in. I will never forget the dumb thing that I said right off the bat... it went something like this: I walked in and two people were sitting upright at a table in the middle of the room. The one woman said, "Sit right here in this chair [pointing to a chair opposite from them], it's the hot seat." I then, dumbly responded, "It's sure good that I'm cold then." Oh my Heavens... where that response came from I'm not sure. They giggled and the first thought that came through my mind was, "you blew it"!
The interview went smoothly and they kept complimenting the information on my resume and my responses to the questions being asked. Twenty minutes into the interview they said they had no doubt that they wanted to hire me. I told them I needed a bit of time to think about it and I was granted a few days. It wasn't that I didn't like the job or wasn't excited for the offer, but the fact was I was really interested in a charter school in York, PA as my first choice where I already had an interview and taught a 25 minute lesson. I had been waiting to get a response back about the result of my efforts.
Grandma and I drove to a local gas station right after the interview to fill up on gas with the intention of driving straight home. It was right then and there that I had to make a decision about which job I wanted. In my heart, I knew the answer almost immediately. There wasn't any possible reason why I should have met that manager who helped us find a place to live and prayed for my job, there wasn't any reason why I should have been offered a job immediately within 20 minutes of being interviewed when there were people waiting still in line for interviews, there wasn't any reason why..... wait... there was. It was there, sitting in my grandma's car that I heard it. God was calling me and pulling at my heart strings to teach these kids. To be the first of many charter school teachers in Rockford, Illinois. I told my grandma I wanted the job, talked to my mom on the phone, and then we headed off back to the apartment complex that I had been interested in.
At the apartment place, I found out that the one that was open would not be ready in time for me to arrive. What I originally thought would be a mid-August move turned out to be an end-of-July move because teacher training is going to start on August 3rd for 10 days since it is a brand new school. Luckily, the manager did have one apartment that would be ready. We had the chance to look though it and I loved it. I loved the area and how quiet it was. Across from the apartments is a senior home and a block away is a Lutheran church that I could attend. Just a few blocks further is miles of every store possible, so I wouldn't need to travel far for any of my needs. Best of all, I would only be 7 miles from my school. I set down a deposit and was informed within 24 hours that the apartment was mine!
Grandma and I started the drive home after getting the apartment. We drove about 6 hours. It was on the drive home that I got a call from my mother. A letter had come from the charter school in York that I had applied to. I did not get the job. I think I let out a huge sigh of relief because I had confirmation that I had chosen the right path. The following day, July 3rd, we drove the rest of the way home. On this last day of travel, I received a call from the school informing me that I would be teaching 4th grade and my contract would arrive shortly in the mail. Let me tell you this, I have not stopped dreaming about my future classroom and kids since that moment.
Now I am in PA, with a little less than 3 weeks to change my entire life around. I have to choose what I'm taking with to Illinois, pack, say goodbye to friends, and head out. The question that I have been getting most is, "aren't you scared to move out to an area where you know NO ONE"? The answer... No I'm not. God has shown me so much the past few days and I know that I got the job for a reason. I don't know what all will be in store for me, how long I will live in Illinois, or who/what I will encounter. All I know is that God wants me there and that's where I am going.
While looking for jobs on several teaching job search engines, I came across one for a brand new charter school in Rockford, Illinois called Legacy Academy of Excellence Charter School. I was impressed with how determined the founders of this school appeared to be in regards to reaching out to the children of Rockford. It is officially the first charter school in this area. I decided to email the director my resume and cover letter. The very next day, I received a phone call asking if I would be interested in an interview. After consulting with my parents and my grandmother, I decided to try for the job.
On Tuesday, June 30th, my grandmother and I headed out for the long drive to Illinois. We drove about 10 hours that day, rested in a hotel, and drove about 5 more hours the following morning. On Wednesday, July 1st, we finally reached Rockford. We decided it would be a good idea to check out apartments, grocery stores, and local areas in case I made the move. We chose a random apartment complex name off of the list of researched apartment complexes that my grandmother had put together. Upon arrival at this complex, we met the manager who just happened to have worked in Lebanon, PA (my hometown), for several years. SMALL WORLD! This woman claimed that God had sent us to her for a reason and she wanted to help us. Because of her firm belief that God ordained her to help us, she (dressed up in her company manager uniform) took us in her car (company vehicle) and drove us around Rockford to the apartment complexes that she thought would be the safest and best places for me. She was such a blessing and was kind enough to offer her church as a place that I could attend if I moved. She also wished us good luck. Because she could get fired for what she was doing, we only grabbed brochures from each place and then after we left the manager, my grandmother and I went to inspect the apartments that she had shown us.
Each apartment was nice, but the last one we saw was the one that I really liked. On Thursday, (the day of my interview) we got up early in the morning to go and look at this place. Unfortunately, we only saw floor plans at that point in time. It had a garage that led into a nice kitchen. It also had a dining room, living room, laundry area, bathroom, and two bedrooms. The manager told us that one apartment was available for the time that I thought I would need to move (middle of August). After looking around, it was time for me to get ready for my interview.
We arrived at Legacy Academy of Excellence Charter School and took a short look around. There was already someone in one of the classrooms being interviewed. I guess here is where I should mention that when I was scheduled for an interview, the woman that I spoke to told me that she had been making interview appointments for weeks. I felt nervous and knew my chances could be very slim. It was finally time for my interview and I went in. I will never forget the dumb thing that I said right off the bat... it went something like this: I walked in and two people were sitting upright at a table in the middle of the room. The one woman said, "Sit right here in this chair [pointing to a chair opposite from them], it's the hot seat." I then, dumbly responded, "It's sure good that I'm cold then." Oh my Heavens... where that response came from I'm not sure. They giggled and the first thought that came through my mind was, "you blew it"!
The interview went smoothly and they kept complimenting the information on my resume and my responses to the questions being asked. Twenty minutes into the interview they said they had no doubt that they wanted to hire me. I told them I needed a bit of time to think about it and I was granted a few days. It wasn't that I didn't like the job or wasn't excited for the offer, but the fact was I was really interested in a charter school in York, PA as my first choice where I already had an interview and taught a 25 minute lesson. I had been waiting to get a response back about the result of my efforts.
Grandma and I drove to a local gas station right after the interview to fill up on gas with the intention of driving straight home. It was right then and there that I had to make a decision about which job I wanted. In my heart, I knew the answer almost immediately. There wasn't any possible reason why I should have met that manager who helped us find a place to live and prayed for my job, there wasn't any reason why I should have been offered a job immediately within 20 minutes of being interviewed when there were people waiting still in line for interviews, there wasn't any reason why..... wait... there was. It was there, sitting in my grandma's car that I heard it. God was calling me and pulling at my heart strings to teach these kids. To be the first of many charter school teachers in Rockford, Illinois. I told my grandma I wanted the job, talked to my mom on the phone, and then we headed off back to the apartment complex that I had been interested in.
At the apartment place, I found out that the one that was open would not be ready in time for me to arrive. What I originally thought would be a mid-August move turned out to be an end-of-July move because teacher training is going to start on August 3rd for 10 days since it is a brand new school. Luckily, the manager did have one apartment that would be ready. We had the chance to look though it and I loved it. I loved the area and how quiet it was. Across from the apartments is a senior home and a block away is a Lutheran church that I could attend. Just a few blocks further is miles of every store possible, so I wouldn't need to travel far for any of my needs. Best of all, I would only be 7 miles from my school. I set down a deposit and was informed within 24 hours that the apartment was mine!
Grandma and I started the drive home after getting the apartment. We drove about 6 hours. It was on the drive home that I got a call from my mother. A letter had come from the charter school in York that I had applied to. I did not get the job. I think I let out a huge sigh of relief because I had confirmation that I had chosen the right path. The following day, July 3rd, we drove the rest of the way home. On this last day of travel, I received a call from the school informing me that I would be teaching 4th grade and my contract would arrive shortly in the mail. Let me tell you this, I have not stopped dreaming about my future classroom and kids since that moment.
Now I am in PA, with a little less than 3 weeks to change my entire life around. I have to choose what I'm taking with to Illinois, pack, say goodbye to friends, and head out. The question that I have been getting most is, "aren't you scared to move out to an area where you know NO ONE"? The answer... No I'm not. God has shown me so much the past few days and I know that I got the job for a reason. I don't know what all will be in store for me, how long I will live in Illinois, or who/what I will encounter. All I know is that God wants me there and that's where I am going.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
