Tuesday, November 3, 2015

I Made it!

The last time I posted in the blog, I was in my final year of college. I remember writing the post like it was yesterday. Talking about the people who helped me through college, about how many times I changed my major and I remember being absolutely terrified with what was going to come next. 

In my last year of school, I was working as a nanny for my aunt and uncle. I knew once I was done with school that I  would continue being a nanny for a few years at least. When C started to walk, Barbra and Alex had informed me that they were enrolling C in school two days a week. Honestly I was totally okay with this because that meant 2 days a week I could sleep in. 

In May of 2014, exactly one year after graduating from college, they told me they would be putting her in school full time. At first it didn't bother me because it was summer time and I would be gone most of the summer with vacations and camps. Then I realized that once school started again for her, I would have nothing to do until 3:00 everyday... Now for some people that would be great, but for me, I couldn't handle it. I kept my eyes opened for something to do during the days but nothing had come up yet. Then one day Barbra came home and asked me to send her my resume. At first I thought, what in the world would she want with that. Then she told me that she had been talking with the director at Betty Rowland and they had an Assistant position available.

That night I went home, pulled up my resume, fixed it and sent it on its way. I was excited yet nervous all at the same time. I had started out my college years as an education major, and quickly realized that my dream of becoming a teacher was just that, a dream. I had switched my major to Psychology and knew that eventually I would get a job in that field. After sending my resume to my aunt for her to take to the school, I sat down with my parents to discuss this decision. I remember asking them if they thought this was a good fit. If i would even be a good teacher. what if I got the job and then they realized that I'm not suited to be a teacher.

A million things went through my head and my parents told me that whatever happens in my life, is gods plan. They were right. Yes this is my life and I may have things planned out for myself but in the end, he has bigger and better plans for me.

One day as I was taking one of my many daily naps with C, the phone rang. It was the director at Betty Rowland, calling me to set up a day to come in and talk with her. It was the end of the year and they were busy with the art show so we set up the meeting for the following Tuesday. That was probably the longest week of my life. The weekend before, I decided to attend the art show with my Aunt and Uncle. I wanted to see what the school was like and possibly meet some of the teachers.

Aside from the Director, the first person I met was the teacher in the toddler room. As I was looking around at all the pictures in her classroom, I came across a picture of a young man I knew from high school. I had asked her why she had a picture of this young man and she  told me that it was her son. I couldn't believe it. I said I was in the same graduating class as your son! What a small world. As the conversation went on, she asked me what I was doing now that I was out of college, I mentioned that I was a nanny and that I had applied for an assistant position at Betty Rowland. She told me that she would talk with the director because she felt that I would be a great addition to that family. Little did I know, that toddler teacher would become one of the greatest friends/mother figures I could have ever asked for. After looking around the other classrooms for a while, I met another teacher. She was the Pre-K teacher. When I introduced myself she told me that she had been in the office when the director was looking over my resume and she thought I was over qualified to be in assistant. When she told me that, It was the first time since I had turned in that resume that I felt like I really could do this. She is now one of my best teacher friends.

The next week I went in for my meeting. As I walked into the office, I felt my throat drop into my chest. I was so nervous. I don't think I had ever been that nervous in my life. The director started the interview and by the end of it, I was offered the head teaching position for the Older Three's Class. That was one of the easiest yes's and best decisions of my life. 

I started working as an assistant in the Pre-K class in July and I'm so glad that I had that opportunity, the teacher I was working with not only taught the kids but me. She really took me under her wing and I would not be where I am today without her help and support at Betty Rowland.

I'm now in my second year of teaching and I wouldn't trade it in for anything. As any job goes, there are days where I'm stressed, and days where the kids drive me completely crazy, but I couldn't imagine spending my days with any other people. These kids and other teachers are my life. I couldn't have asked for a better work family. 

I'm thankful everyday for the opportunity to teach these kids. I hope they get as much out of me, as I do from them...