Back in Teaching Mode

The past two weeks have been super crazy, but also very rewarding and successful. Everyone at the Fairmont School has been very welcoming to me. The students are fantastic, well-behaved, smart, highly motivated, etc. The teachers are all really helpful and supportive. I have an AMAZING mentor teacher who actually checks up on me every day, answers my questions and gives her honest input--something I've not had in the past. The principal and other administrators really appreciate my ideas, energy and abilities--something else that was lacking at my last full time position.

So I have to admit that I'm not used to having so much support and respect. Everyone is treating me like gold and no one bats an eye at the fact that I am new or that this is my first year as a music teacher. It makes me want to live up to my fullest potential and offer every good thing that I can to the students and the school. And I don't have to be worried that people will be threatened or offended by my enthusiasm.

Yesterday I realized that I've only taught each class three times so far. It seems like I've been with the students much longer than that! Things have just been happening, happening, happening. I've barely been able to keep my head above water. Actually, my head has been filled with liquid all this past week. I ended up getting infections in both of my ears. I still went to school and taught, which was a dreamy feeling since I couldn't hear anything that I said. But I was still able to sing and teach my lessons.

To top off the stress of being new and sick, the school had their annual Open House on Friday the 20th, which is perhaps the most important day of the whole year to this school. Every parent and prospective parent comes to the Open House to determine if they will return the next year. Talk about pressure.

Well, I took it upon myself to make the music room look immaculate for the event. And I even set up stations throughout the room for parents and the kids to interact with. Mr. Drake, the principal, LOVED it so much and praised me the whole week for coming up with the idea.

The Open House went super. I asked the Lord to bless me so that my ear infections wouldn't inhibit me from being professional and happy with the parents. I knew he would help me because He has promised to be there for me if I've been trying my hardest to do all that I should.

Needless to say, I didn't feel any pressure during those two hours of the Open House, only had to lightly wipe my nose a couple of times and was SO happy the whole time. The room looked great, the kids and parents loved the activities I set out, and everyone had really nice things to say to me (like how their child has not stopped talking about music since I came to the school, or how their child has recently been coming home singing songs from music class and teaching them to the family). Jeremy had a fun time touring my room and the rest of the school. He said he loved everything I've done so far and was impressed how I did it in such a short amount of time.

As soon as the Open House closed, though, all the pain came back and I slept until Sunday morning. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father loves me enough to answer my prayers and help me with accomplishing my missions in life. I love Him for that!

I'll post pictures of my new job and the Open House soon!

I Got The Job!!

Last week I found a job opening on craigslist for a music teacher K-4 and 7th grade choir at a private school in Anaheim. My first interview went tremendously well. The principal said I would for sure be called in for a second interview. I was then asked to teach a demo lesson for some of their fourth grade students. I was able to practice the lesson on some music classes that I subbed for during the week and Jeremy gave me a blessing beforehand. What great tender mercies!

My demo lesson was observed by the principal, board of directors and fine arts director. They were all very impressed, asked me a few questions, etc. I felt REALLY good with how the lesson went. Two hours later, I got a call. The principal said he still had other people he was supposed to interview, but they already knew that they wanted me for the job!

I got the official job offer yesterday. Some of you teaching friends have asked what the pay will be. They will give me a full time salary of $40,000! I start this next Monday because their previous music teacher passed away. I will finish up this year with a subsidized pay and teach all of next year, too.

Jeremy and I are so excited and feeling super blessed. We recieved his promotion, a lower rent mortgage, and the teaching ad all in the same week. Heavenly Father really did have things in store for us. Waiting the 8 months to know what it was is all worth it now! And I'm glad to say that I figured out by the 2nd month to just trust in the Lord and not stress out about things. Something I recommend to all, especially during these tough times.

Now, I've got to move my teaching stuff into the school, figure out what the students already know, meet the faculty, make the room look like me, etc. This school has great resources, so I should be able to get going pretty fast. Jeremy has already said goodby to me, as he anticipates I will be sucked into the job like I was when I taught 5th grade last year. But I am committed to keep a balanced life and to not forget that he is my husband and best friend. I've also committed to keep blogging. So I will need y'all to help keep me on track!

I've learned some neat things the past couple of months. Once again, I've learned that if we do our part by paying tithing, living righteously, wisely managing our money, and having faith, we can have peace and protection. It might not be easy or what we expect, but we can know that Heavenly Father will take care of us.