My So-Called Life: May 2011

Back in October, when things started to get really bad at Southwest (namely, when the principal I felt was Southwest's last chance resigned) I started urgently looking for new jobs. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, I just felt I had to get out. I found a few things that I thought would suffice, applied and waited. Nothing came to fruition. I kept trying. I looked weekly, daily, hourly. Then in February, while looking through the updated postings on Nonprofit Connect's website I saw a posting for Kauffman Scholars. This organization is one I was familiar with because it works directly with urban schools in the Kansas City area, namely Southwest. The organization is small with very few staff members who work as a branch of the Kauffman Foundation to help students from low income families be successful in high school. Once they apply to college, Kauffman pays their tuition. It can be any college, anywhere. It can be an Ivy, it can be a private...doesn't matter. Kauffman also stays in contact with the students throughout their four or more years in college--mentoring them, helping them with resources they may need throughout their program, you name it. In a nutshell, my dream job. So when I saw this posting for an open position, my heart stopped. I immediately polished my resume and wrote my cover letter. It was the easiest letter I ever wrote, because it was driven from my passion and experience. Once I submitted these, I pushed it to the wayside. I knew deep down, especially in this economic downturn, that it would be a highly competitive position and that I could still be considered a rookie in my trade. I knew that for every person like me, there were probably two with doctorates, administrative backgrounds, or more years of teaching experience. Instead of waiting, I kept looking. I kept applying. It was spring time, so I knew this was when I needed to be actively searching for other teaching positions. At the end of February, Kauffman called me for an interview. I was ecstatic. I interviewed in a room of four staff members and a director in a small conference room. They told me at the end that there were several more steps in the interview process and that they would be in touch. I sighed as I left and pushed it out of my mind.

I ended up getting an interview for a Special Ed position in a math classroom in the Kansas City, KS school district in March. I was excited about the opportunity to stay in an urban district that had a much better reputation than Kansas City, MO. I went to the interview and was offered the job on the spot. I was relieved to finally have my ticket out of my current job. A few weeks later, I went to visit a potential placement school and meet the principal. It was an amazing school and I could see myself fitting in. I was informed the next day that I would be placed at that school. I accepted and forgot about Kauffman.

But then...they called. They wanted me to come back and do a sample teaching lesson to a group of 8th graders in their program. I teach for a living, but I have never been so nervous in my life. After it was over, I thought it went well, but I was still insecure. A few weeks later, while sitting at my desk, I received an email from them telling me I had made it to the third round of interviews. This time, it was in a room of three different Vice Presidents from the organization. They told me that the candidate they chose would start in early May. I told them that my school did not get out until June 15th, and I was not willing to break that committment. Again, I sighed as I left and thought to myself, "That was it. I'm out."

By the way, I am petrified of rejection. I read an article from a magazine during this process that talked about disappointment. It said that believe it or not, the actual feeling of disappointment is never as bad as the anticipation of it. I started thinking about this and how oh-so-true it was. I reminded myself of this over the following few weeks to prepare for not getting the job I so desperately wanted and I think it's what got me by.

But then...they called. They told me that they had a different position opening in June and that they had selected me to take the spot. I still needed to meet with the President, because he had to formally "okay" each candidate. I met with him yesterday. The last two words out of his mouth as he shook my hand were, "Welcome aboard".

I felt bad telling KCK that I had to decline the job, but knowing I was given a chance at a dream career, I could never turn it down.

I now sit here thinking about how truly, everything happens for a reason. Had I never had a horrible year at my school, I never would have been searching for a new job. I never would have stumbled upon one of Kauffman's rare openings. Life is a true blessing!

June 20th I will start a new chapter of my life. I can't wait!

Friday, May 13, 2011

When It Rains, It Pours

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Oh Joy for Oh Land