Question #61
I spent an afternoon at Barnes and Noble a few months ago – this is a place where I could spend hours upon
hours. As a reading specialist by trade – and a reader by nature – it makes sense. On this particular trip, I
found a book, tucked away with the journals in their display, called 3,000 Questions About Me. I opened it
and started thumbing through – and I have to admit, I was quite intrigued. I started looking through the
questions, thinking about what my responses would be. I knew I just had to get it – the book sat at my house
for a month, collecting dust. I finally pulled it out and decided to answer one page of questions a day. 3,000
questions can be overwhelming – but how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! As I answer my page
of questions each day, I read the question – and I put what immediately comes to mind. I do not overthink
them – I answer them honestly and openly. My series of blog posts will focus on certain questions that I
believe get to the core of who I am – as a wife, mother, and a child of God.
61. How have you changed over the last five years?
I love the act of remembering – I believe this is why I journal, take pictures, and write like I do. I want to
preserve memories for future generations – and for myself. When I read this question, I thought about five
years ago – 2014. This was a year that truly changed the course of my life for the better. Bob and I had been
married three years at this point – we had moved from our little townhouse apartment into our dream home.
I had just started a new teaching position – 8 th grade English-Language Arts and social studies. Little did I know
that this new position would leaf me to my “forever teaching home” – and help me find my true passion.
It all started in April of that year – I attended a job fair at one of the local universities, looking to make
contacts and find the job for me. I went to the very last table on my list – Pattonville School District – and
talked to a member of human resources. They did not have any middle school positions available, but he took
one look at my resume, and he sent me to the interview room. I met the interviewer for the district, one of
the middle school principals, and had a great conversation with her. Over the next two months, I went in for
three different interviews – one at Human Resources, one at the building level with principals, and one at the
team level with my potential colleagues.
June 15, 2014 – Bob and I went to Gatlinburg to celebrate our anniversary. We had planned to spend the day
at Dollywood – as we prepared to leave, I received a phone call from a Missouri area code. I answered, and it
was the principal that had interviewed me two months prior. She called to let me know that I got the job – 8 th
grade English-Language Arts and social studies. I could not contain my excitement – this is the position I had
prayed for, and dreamed about, for several years.
This made our trip to Dollywood that much more meaningful – we spent the day on cloud nine, elated with
the news we had received. We spent our time shopping, watching the different shows, and riding the rides.
As we approached Dolly Parton’s museum on the premises, we read these words: “If you want the rainbow,
you have to put up with the rain”. I had to have a picture of me with these words – because they perfectly
described my situation. This new teaching position was my rainbow – and I had truly put up with quite a bit of
rain.
I had one final interview with the superintendent and the head of Human Resources. I shared a great deal with
him, and he expressed his excitement about joining the staff. The head of Human Resources said the
following to me, that I will remember to this day – “We are so thrilled to have you join us – we think you are
going to be a great fit at Holman. If she could have hired you back in April, she would have”. The principal
that interviewed me all that time ago ended up becoming my boss – learning this let me know that the Lord
was with me every step of the way. I had to put my faith before my fear – I had to step out of my comfort
zone – and in the end, it paid off in spades.
Fast forward two years later – this same principal of mine dropped a bombshell on me. I had taught 8 th grade
English-Language Arts and social studies during my first year, and 7 th grade English-Language Arts during my
second year. As I sat down to meet with her, she let me know that I would be teaching reading next year. I
had received my Masters degree in reading years prior – only because I thought it would complement my
middle school degree. I never thought I would actually teach it – but I decided to give it a go. I am now going
into my fourth year of teaching reading – and I could not imagine teaching anything else. My students are
thriving – I am thriving – all because the Lord prepared me for this. I know that I can always trust in Him – I
may not always understand Him and His ways, but I can always trust Him. Always.
Steve
Luke 18:1
E-mail me at shawley@westburychristian.org
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