Help Wanted

I discovered my passion for education sophomore year of college. I was taking the very first available class – Foundations of Education. I found myself excited to go to class each day, literally eating up the discussion and assignments. Nothing else mattered when I researched for those papers – I had finally found something in which I could absorb myself completely.

Breaking the news to my family that I was going to major in Education and plan on teaching elementary school after graduation was not an easy task. My parents have always supported my decisions, and I knew I could tell them anything. And yet, it took a little getting used to, to imagine that the cost of 4 years at my private university would equal over 6 years of a teacher’s salary. I took my next two years seriously preparing for a teaching career, and had an amazing experience with my department.

Now I’m still in the search for a teaching job, but it’s not my favorite thing to talk about. Not that it’s a sensitive subject; it’s just hard to tell people over and over that I’m still seeking a job that I feel so prepared for. I worked so hard, and cared so much about my projects and assignments and teaching experiences, but now I’m fighting feelings that I’m not as good of an educator, or I’m missing something that everyone else knows. What could I have done differently during college to better prepare me for this time? What is the key phrase to tell possible employers “HEY! I’m the best person for this position, and all I need is a chance to show you.” I realize that moving to a new area means that I might have to start small – substituting, assistant teaching, or even volunteering – to get my foot in the door, and that’s something I’m willing to do.

I know God has a perfect plan for me, and I know education is the career for me, but right now, more than anything, I think He’s trying to tell me to be patient. Be thankful for this day, and this place, and these people that I’m surrounded by. Keep doing what I’m doing. Stay close to the field that I love so much, no matter what, and the perfect job will find me.