Wow! What a turn my life has taken! My time serving as a teacher at Sun Valley Indian School has been a challenging, yet educational and growing experience for me over the past two years…and it’s nearly over! School officially concludes next Wednesday with promotion, and I will be packing up and heading to the valley over the following weekend.
I have spent the past three months searching and applying for various teaching jobs in the Denver area, as I hoped to move closer to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. In March, the superintendent of Holbrook Unified School District e-mailed me about some openings and encouraged me to apply. I have worked with him off and on throughout the year and decided to apply and see where things took me from there. Well, over Spring Break one of the principals called and asked for an interview. After three interviews and approval by the board, I was offered a contract as a first grade teacher in Holbrook for next year. Having not heard much from Denver, besides one Christian school which isn’t hiring early childhood teachers for next year, I prayed about the decision, spoke to many Christian teachers at Calvary Chapel about the district and school, and began to feel at peace with staying in Holbrook.
So- in my apartment lies the contract. I will be signing and returning it at some point this week. One major blessing is that the superintendent is going to count my two years at Sun Valley on the pay scale, which I did not anticipate since it is a private school.
Another huge event in my recent life is that I have been in contact with a grad school academic advisor at NAU. I’m discussing the possibility of beginning my Masters in the fall. I hope to do this VERY slowly- only taking one class at a time (9 hours a year)- allowing me to complete my Masters in four years. She thinks this is a good plan and I will send in my application for that as well this week. I would like to begin my Masters for a few reasons: (1) I am VERY behind in professional development hours, which I need to renew my teaching certificate next July. These online classes count as professional development. (2) Being in a small town so close to NAU, this would be a perfect opportunity to work towards it. (3) I would really like to learn more about early childhood development and education. I would be working towards my Masters of Education in Early Childhood.
This past week I officially made the decision to sell my Honda CR-V. I am very connected to this vehicle, as it has been a part of my life since the 5th grade. However, since I bought my Honda Fit, I cannot afford, nor do I have the time and knowledge to maintain, two vehicles. I sent out an e-mail to our staff, and got a response the same day. A teacher who is moving is very serious about purchasing the vehicle and it will be signed over to him next week. I’m bitter-sweet about this, but am grateful that God is providing financially in this way.
The only part of next year that is not quite lined up is housing. My options are very limited in a small town. However, I have found a few places in the paper, through a realtor, and on craigs list. Being overwhelmed, my mom is coming up tomorrow to help me check out different areas, and my dad will be up here the following week. It seems that half of Holbrook (aka several people at my church and zumba classes) are keeping their eyes open for me. I’m excited in advance for the ways in which God will provide.
Overall, this has been a very eventful past few weeks. I’m not going to end up where I hoped, but for now this position is a blessing. I already know several teachers at my school through church, and the principal and superintendent are both very supportive. This will be a great opportunity to take a few years, grow as a teacher through experience and mentorship, and acquire a higher degree. Plus, thinking positively, I made a trip to Durango a few weekends ago for a race, and didn’t realize how close it is to me! A four hour drive to the beautiful mountains of Colorado will be an easy weekend getaway throughout the year.
Even though I stress, cry, and feel overwhelmed and that my life is out of control, I know that God has me and my life in His hands and He will provide. With my family living so much closer than before, the transition should not be as difficult. I will have multiple opportunities to head up to my favorite mountains, or down to the valley, where I can spend the weekend nights sitting in the Jacuzzi relaxing. I will also have multiple opportunities for professional development up here in Northern Arizona, and to grow in my relationships with the people of Holbrook.
This summer will be an opportunity to be rejuvenated and refreshed in order to begin this new position in July. I will be a bridesmaid in two weddings this summer, my family will be taking a road trip up to the northwest and into Vancouver, and my family is backpacking the Grand Canyon for three days. I’m looking forward to this vacation, but I am also looking with anticipation towards becoming a part of the Holbrook team. Crazy, huh? I know. But I am excited about serving the people of this small town. J
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