Everything Happens for a Reason

Friends with amazing blogs (Derek, Moni, Beth, etc.) + a head full of non-stop thoughts about my upcoming first year of teaching = the creation of my own blog! More than anything this is a way for me to reflect on my first year but with the big move coming up, it's also a great way to keep you updated on whats going on in my life :) Okay, onto the real reason for this post...

Everything happens for a reason. I've said it to countless friends after breakups and thought it myself many times. Well on June 23rd I found out the real truth of that statement. I had spent the end of spring and beginning of summer applying any and everywhere for an elementary teaching position. Teacher buds know exactly what I say when I mean everywhere!

On the top of my list was Lake Shore Public Schools in St. Clair Shores, MI. My cousins have all gone through Lake Shore, so I knew it was a great district and was close to home. I went to their website and applied for their Kindergarten opening...or so I thought. June 23rd I got a call from "Lake Shore" asking me to come on the 25th for an interview. I was eccstatic; this was exactly what I was hoping for!! The secretary began giving me directions to the interview and I quickly realized my mistake. I had applied to Lakeshore Schools, not Lake Shore Schools. Apparently missing that tiny space made a big difference! I quickly found out that Lakeshore was in Stevensville, a good 2 hour and 45 minute drive from home. Oops! I talked it over with my parents and we all agreed it wouldn't hurt to go to the interview.

My first interview with Lakeshore made me feel that it was the perfect place for me. They care so deeply about their students and our values lined up amazingly. I called my mom on the drive home and told her I'd be pretty devistated if I wasn't called back for a second interview; I had fallen in love with the district! Before I was able to make it all the way home I was called and asked if I would be available the following week for a second interview. I was a finalist for the position!!

I was told over 300 aplicants applied for the position I was interviewing for...no pressure, right? Well, I did my homework on the Kindergarten curriculum and the district for my second interview. The more I learned, the more I realized that Lakeshore was where I wanted to be. The second interview was great. They did less of a formal interview and more of a conversation about my attitude, beliefs about young children, and educational background. Mrs. Bowman (the principal at Roosevelt Elementary) called me with the amazing news later that night...I got the job!!! I can't put into words the insane excitement I felt...I was finally a TEACHER!!

I can't help but feel blessed when I think about how this all stemmed from a typing blunder. Lakeshore was not at the top of my list of places to apply; it wasn't anywhere on the list. God works in amazing ways. I can now say I know for fact that everything (no matter how little or silly it may be) happens for a reason.

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