Hello again, reader. So much has changed in the past 10 months. The last time I wrote for you, I made a decision to leave that tutoring firm. Alas, I decided to stay there for 9 more months where I contemplated on the virtue of perseverance. I learned I would have bad days as a teacher and there would be nothing I could do but to remain calm and persevere. Through those 9 months, I met some interesting students a few who grew on me, and some who came to my classroom to test my patience. Even though patience is a virtue, being good at patience doesn't come as "Level Up" in video games, but takes lots of practice and experience.
I also started job-hunting as a classroom teacher. I distributed many resumes and became more determined every time a principal emailed their regrets. Luckily, one February morning, I landed an interview! I was nervous and excited to the point where I could feel my stomach tie itself into tight knots. The principal was kind enough to give me pointers on what principals look for in a good resume. Alas, I did not get the job. Mind you, when I look back on it, that position was for a Grade 1 classroom, something I am not too comfortable with; I find myself better suited to intermediate classrooms and students.
The toughest obstacle was to pick myself up and keep job-hunting after getting phone call after phone call with principals offering their regrets. "The other teacher candidate has more teaching experience," they explain. And I can't blame them, its not their fault; if I were a principal, I would also go with the candidate with more experience. Before and after each interview, I made notes, telling myself where to improve and how to give a good impression in an interview. I did my best to gain more experience, as a teacher-on-call, I kept my phone nearby and was ready for any phone call to come my way.
Then something amazing happened: I was called for an interview and I did it! I landed my first teaching job! Its just a temporary position, but this is the opportunity I was waiting for. I was so happy that I landed the job within my parish, my community where I learned my vocation to become a teacher; my home.
It was as if someone had lifted a great load off my chest; then I started to remember a beautiful portrait of the Divine Mercy Image in the front of my Church with St. Faustina's words: "Jesus, I Trust in You." I still get chills every time I look into the portrait, right into Christ's eyes; the eyes reassuring me that everything will be alright. And it will.
Looking ahead to the summer full of lesson planning and trips, I feel as if I'm standing here at the edge of the cliff, a great big void of potential challenges, failures and triumphs coming my way. I can only do what I am able to, the rest I leave to God; because Jesus, I trust in You.
I also started job-hunting as a classroom teacher. I distributed many resumes and became more determined every time a principal emailed their regrets. Luckily, one February morning, I landed an interview! I was nervous and excited to the point where I could feel my stomach tie itself into tight knots. The principal was kind enough to give me pointers on what principals look for in a good resume. Alas, I did not get the job. Mind you, when I look back on it, that position was for a Grade 1 classroom, something I am not too comfortable with; I find myself better suited to intermediate classrooms and students.
The toughest obstacle was to pick myself up and keep job-hunting after getting phone call after phone call with principals offering their regrets. "The other teacher candidate has more teaching experience," they explain. And I can't blame them, its not their fault; if I were a principal, I would also go with the candidate with more experience. Before and after each interview, I made notes, telling myself where to improve and how to give a good impression in an interview. I did my best to gain more experience, as a teacher-on-call, I kept my phone nearby and was ready for any phone call to come my way.
Then something amazing happened: I was called for an interview and I did it! I landed my first teaching job! Its just a temporary position, but this is the opportunity I was waiting for. I was so happy that I landed the job within my parish, my community where I learned my vocation to become a teacher; my home.
It was as if someone had lifted a great load off my chest; then I started to remember a beautiful portrait of the Divine Mercy Image in the front of my Church with St. Faustina's words: "Jesus, I Trust in You." I still get chills every time I look into the portrait, right into Christ's eyes; the eyes reassuring me that everything will be alright. And it will.
Looking ahead to the summer full of lesson planning and trips, I feel as if I'm standing here at the edge of the cliff, a great big void of potential challenges, failures and triumphs coming my way. I can only do what I am able to, the rest I leave to God; because Jesus, I trust in You.