Its true....what they say...

Have you ever been told, “something better will come along,” or “it just wasn’t mean to be”? Over the last four months I have heard that more than I care to recall. While always said with the best intentions by friends and family alike…I just got tired of it.

In April I completed my student teaching and applied for a job in my home town. Things were looking good. I felt very confident. The teachers in the department were very supportive and even went as far as to say “you’re the one we want,” and “you’re the perfect fit.” These teachers were ever a part of the interview team. But in the back of my mine I just didn’t feel like I would end up with the job. Since it was April, there were not many jobs postings on the state job bank. I walked into the interview nervous as hell. The secretary who took my back to the principal’s office squeezed my hand and said, “…this job is your honey, we’re all rootin’ for you.”

It was my first interview…ever. (Not counting my interview with The President’s Own USMC the day after I graduated from college.) I’ve never had to interview for a job before. They’ve always been offered. Anywho…it was a great interview, at least until the end when the principal said, “nobody starts off with their dream job.” That comment replayed in my mind for the two long weeks I had to wait. When I got the phone call I was on a walk. I was cutting through the middle school parking lot when my phone rang. I didn’t get the job. They gave it to someone with “more classroom experience.” I put my phone back in my pocket and I heard an 8^th band student say to his mom, “that’s going to my new band director next year,” as he waved while getting into his mom’s car. I smiled and waved back.

That was the longest walk back to my house ever. I had no direction. No job leads. No career to fall back on. (I refused to return to the previous one.) But what bothered me the most was that I had no confidence as an educator or a musician. One phone call ripped that confidence from me.

Long story short: After 28 applications and only 5 interviews I am finally hired. And you know what; something better did indeed come along. I am very pleased and excited to be the new middle school and high school choir director in Robinson, Illinois. This job opened on a Friday. I had an interview the following Tuesday and was offered the job on Wednesday. It happened so fast that it just does not feel real yet. Today, while in the unit office getting all official and whatnot, I met several colleagues who welcomed me to the team. Of all the jobs I applied for this is the best fit for me as an educator and a musician. Confidence restored. However, I’m an all sort of new terrified.