Week Two: Working on the Unexpected

This past week was quite trying, so excuse the tardiness of the post.  After so many years of not using my teaching credential, it expired.  Usually, the hiring district has an induction clear credential program; however, since I work for a charter school, things run quite differently.  Thus, I found myself looking for a private induction program and asking the Commission on Teaching Credentialing for an extension so that I wouldn’t lose my job.  Not many universities have induction programs since districts usually take care of the process, but after some digging around, I found Antioch in Los Angeles.  Now I am waiting for the CTC to approve my request so that I will be in the clear.  It was quite challenging working full-time and on my off time trying to get all the credentialing stuff done.  On Wednesday, I was in the road for four hours in the morning commuting to Los Angeles to enroll in the program and then driving straight to work from there.  Fortunately, I am now enrolled in a two-year induction program where I will have to go to class once a month and meet with other teachers in the same situation for support. 

In spite of all this, it was nice coming home to my pup and getting to see him graduate puppy school after the most insane day of my week.  We arrived to the graduation a few minutes late, when they had awarded Francis the most improved award for changing so dramatically from a frightened dog to a social butterfly.  The teacher administered the test of all that we have been working on and I was afraid that Francis would not pass because he still has great difficulty with waiting.  However, Saint Francis must have been keeping a lookout because my pup passed with flying colors!  He passed all the basic course material and graduated with a big grin on his face.  Now getting him still for a nice picture was not as successful (smile).

It’s been a whirlwind here lately, but as the weeks go by am sure that I will establish a routine and life will gain a sense of normalcy.  This week, I didn’t make it to my Monday night bible study group and I totally felt it.  Though, I am quite busy trying to sort all the new right now, eventually I want to make sure that I do make the time for the spiritual activities that keep me hopeful and sane. I only ask that you continue keeping me in your prayers.    

A Little Nostalgia: Holiday Sweaters

When I was a little girl, there was this teacher that always wore the happiest cardigans so in tune with each of the holidays throughout the year. I used to marvel at each of the clever designs she would wear and I vowed that when I grew up, I would dress just like her.  There was something utterly calming and equally trust worthy in her seasonally organized outfits.  I remember that I constantly found a reason to be near her.  Recently, in my happy thrifting expeditions, I came across the most fabulous vintage Halloween cardigan and immediately I was transported back into that elementary classroom and full of longing for simpler times I purchased it- a nostalgic buy for sure.  The cardigan is loud and probably tons tacky, but I love it and I can’t wait to wear it and begin making that childhood dream come true.  The day I found it, I came home and excitedly tried it on hoping that my enthusiasm would transfer to my mother, but she said it just wasn’t her cup of tea.  Even so her reaction didn’t make me love my cardigan any less nor kill the excitement of the little child within.

The funny thing is that when I try remembering more about the teacher, I can’t get an image passed her cardigan and me tugging at her slacks.  It’s almost like those cartoons that cut at the neck the adults and no matter how much I try I can’t retrieve my elementary teacher’s face.  I just remember her kindness and finding comfort being near her as I took my first steps in a new country.  She allowed me to silently orbit around her throughout the day and would pat my head sometimes when I loving hugged her leg.  I was just beginning to learn the new language so I didn’t talk a whole lot and she didn’t mind the silent companion.  Around her I didn’t have to worry about my accent or be scared of kids picking on me- she was my hero who instead of capes wore the best holiday ensemble. 

It’s funny how an item can transport one to a very specific time.  Am not sure if the teacher knew how much she touched my life, how her thoughtful outfits made her so utterly beautiful and I attracted to her charm survived a time of great change.  I didn’t understand a whole lot of English then, but I sure got her approachable message with her decorative-eighties-bling sweaters.  She tried in every way to engage her students and though the credential program doesn’t have a course on how to dress to motivate students- those Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day… sweaters were quite powerful teaching strategies (smile).  I know I have been a bit disorganized- I have had a lot of appointments trying to prepare for my new job.

The Presence of God

These past few months have been spent trying to tame my black wolf.  If I wasn’t working on my eBay business or looking for work the rest of my time belonged to training Francis.  Am not sure how you enter into the presence of God, but for me a quite easy way is though nature - most specifically though animals.  Recently, when I started taking Francis to the dog park, I would notice how much I gave him courage.  He would venture to say hello to a dog and then run back to hide between my feet.  As his confidence grew, he would go a little farther away, always returning to me if he felt he was in trouble. His trust that I will bail him out or come to his rescue made me think of my relationship with God.  Francis has grown from being terrified of other dogs to wanting more and more to socialize with members of his species.  It just required a little patience, persistence and for him to know that in me he has a pack leader that will keep him safe no matter the circumstance.

In matters of faith I am like Francis, but sometimes not as trustful that my heavenly Father will come to my rescue.  Yet, watching my little guy explore while always keeping an eye on me or returning to me when he felt too overwhelmed made me realize that I need to have that type of relationship with God.  Wherever life takes me, whatever my experiences my gaze must never leave my Creator.  “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” I shouldn’t lose hope or quit because I have a Father who will come to my rescue.  And if for whatever reason I venture out too far, I can always run back into His protective arms or even yelp and He will come running to hold me up.  Sometimes pride makes me want to do things on my own, but seeing Francis run back to me trusting that I would make everything better made me realize how much God delights when I am small and dependent on Him.

Everyday, Francis and I spend an hour or more at the park.  Sometimes we just walk around greeting dogs in our path and even during these calm walks- I see how thankful he is to be out in nature. He smells a flower, a bush, chases ducks, stops to people watch, eats a dandelion…  Every action is full of excitement and glee and I think that in His way He is praying a gratitude prayer saying thank you God for this wonderful world and for allowing me to enjoy it.  I am almost jealous at how simple He is finding delight in things that I take for granted.  Yet, as I watch Francis' satisfaction in nature, I too thank God for all the things I take for granted and I ask Him to make me more like my little creature who appreciates so much His creation.  Francis helps me enter into the presence of God quite easily and his inquisitiveness along with his trust in me reveal deeper truths about my faith and shows me that God communicates with us in all sorts of ways- even through my relationship with an over-excited pup!  

A Little Secret

I want to let you in on a little secret, I have been made an offer and accepted a teaching position at a charter school in my county.  You are now looking at the (in two weeks) intervention teacher for said school.  The public charter school works with students who the traditional high school setting is not working and works individually or in a small group setting to help kids achieve a high school diploma and prepare them to enter the real world.  I will be working with students and parents who are having difficulty passing high school and I am really excited to begin this new phase in my career.  Am not sure how it will impact my blog as I transition, but I will try to write even if it’s just once a week and maybe change dates, to during the weekend.

What I do know is this: prayer works!  I remembered that a priest once told me to pray in a very specific way when making a request to God.  So, I asked the Lord to please help me find employment by the end of September and though the teaching offer came on the second day of October, in September I had been made an offer that after prayerful consideration I declined.  When I was offered the job that I turned down, I took it to God and asked him to give me a sign of whether or not to take it and He did just that when I was told about the wages – which were extremely too low.  Though turning down a job (even if it’s not the right fit) feels like stepping into a pool of uncertainty – I trusted that God would provide.  I did my part by looking for work and submitting my resume and trusted that God would do the rest.

As I interviewed for the teaching position, again I asked God that if I was offered the job, that would be my sign from Him that I would be able to handle the responsibility even with my disability.  So, I ask you for your prayers which I will desperately need during this transition.  I always get extremely overwhelmed and my thoughts start racing wildly, but since I got the offer, I have had peace in my heart.  I think that feeding my life with wisdom from the saints and scripture has given my overactive mind healthy things to think about.  I also have this new mindset where my job is not about proving that I am a great teacher, but helping students succeed… Any who do not forget me in your prayers.