Miracles Do Happen!

Mark and I have been blessed beyond measure over the past few months!  Mark was able to do his student teaching at Bear River Middle School during spring semester 2012.  We were thankful for the opportunity he had to teach for his alma mater and for his sweet parents who watched Beckam for us during that time.  As Mark's semester came to an end he was able to fulfill a long term sub position for his cooperating teacher who had a baby.  We were hopeful Mark would be able to get a job at Bear River Middle and were anticipating that opportunity.  During the first part of May we found out that Mark was not eligible to be interviewed for the position and we were floored.  We could not understand why he wouldn't be given the chance to interview and were at a complete loss as to what we were supposed to do next.  We began looking for jobs in Arizona, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and I was sick about it!  I was okay with moving and starting new, but I just couldn't figure out why Mark was not being given the chance to interview.

After a week or two of searching for positions and looking into where we might move, I had a strong feeling that Mark should at least email the HR director to find out why he wasn't able to interview and what he could do to become a better candidate for the future.  Mark corresponded with the HR director and was able to share with him his teaching experience, as well as, three shining letters of recommendation.  We didn't hear anything for the next two days and continued to search for job opportunities, all the while, Mark was devastated.  My heart ached for him.  On his third to last day of his long term sub position during his first hour, he was teaching and glanced over at the doorway and there stood the HR director and the principal.  They had someone take his class and asked if they could speak with him.  They proceeded to tell Mark that there was a misunderstanding and they believed that he was the perfect candidate for the U.S. History/Geography teaching position.  They offered him the job and the HR director left Mark to discuss the details with his principal - Eldon Peterson.  Mark was shocked!  He couldn't believe the sudden turn of events, but was so grateful!

He called me and I stepped out of my IEP meeting to chat with him.  I was totally shocked as well and couldn't believe what a blessing this was for our family!  He asked whether he should accept the position and I said "Heck YES!"  We were so excited and grateful!

Every January for the past three years I have applied for all the online teaching positions I could find, and each year I had no luck.  This year in January, I once again looked into online teaching positions, but was only able to apply to one option, because the rest were unavailable.  I emailed my resume to Laura Belnap at Washington Online through Washington County School District in St. George, but she replied and informed me that she didn't have any available positions in this area.  I wasn't really surprised and just let it go... trying to gear up for another year of teaching part or full time.  In mid April I received a call from her and she said there was an opening that had become available for the Cache Valley area and wanted to know if I was interested in applying.  I of course, said YES, and sent my information over right away.  I didn't hear much more until the middle of May when she called me for an interview.  I completed the interview and at the end she asked me if I was offered the position if I would be able to accept it.  I sadly told her no, and explained that at this point because the position was part time I wouldn't be able to accept it, because I needed insurance for my family.  I was so deflated!  After I hung up with her I cried, because I felt like my dreams of being a stay at home mom and also providing a second income for my family were dashed.

On May 22, 2012 two hours after Mark was offered his teaching position I got a phone call that appeared to be from St. George.  My stomach dropped and I stepped out into the hallway to answer it. Sure enough it was Washington County School District calling to offer me the part time teaching position that would allow me to be home with our boys.  What a miracle!  If they had called me days or hours earlier I would have had to decline the offer.  I couldn't even believe it was happening.  After talking with Mark we both accepted our jobs that day without hesitation, because we truly felt like the Lord was working miracles right before our eyes!  

My job will allow me to be home with our boys!  Yahoo!  I will work 4 hours a day, tracking student's attendance and progress, planning monthly activities, administering testing for students, sending weekly emails, and monthly phone calls.  They will honor my seven years of teaching, I will get a laptop, an ipad, a $75 credit for our phone and internet, and make $2,000 more per year than if I were to work part time at my current job.  I feel so thankful and blessed - especially because this is the only position for all of Cache Valley!

Miracles do happen and we are so thankful!