Part II

A few days later, two more schools invited me up for interviews and offered travel reimbursement (praise God, because your girl is an Oklahoma teacher, enough said). The first interview went well, but I couldn't read them. They gave me feedback on my lesson, asked me a few questions, and then it was over. Bleh! The second interview was the next day, and I knew I had to KILL this one. I could not return to Oklahoma with the same confusion and uncertainty as before. While walking to the school I prayed, "God, please let them see my passion for education. Please let them appreciate my dedication to this dream, and how valuable I would be as a teacher in their school. Lord, let them see me!" I got there early (praise Him yet again for me being punctual for once). I saw a woman standing in the entrance and told her that I was there for an interview. She looked slightly confused, but directed me to the main desk to check in. After about 30 minutes of waiting, the same woman introduced herself to me as the principal and said, "I'm so sorry. I noticed you're still waiting to be interviewed. Are you sure you're at the right school, there are several schools around the city with the same name." My heart sank. I thought to myself, "Of course this would happen to me. I show up ON TIME to the WRONG location." I started to panic. I frantically searched for the email the recruiter had sent containing the address. I showed it to her. "Yep, you're at the right school. We just don't have you on the schedule. Apparently the recruiter failed to let us know you were coming in today." My heart sank again. She apologized and said they would try to reschedule me as soon as possible. My voice cracked when I began to respond. There it was. The tears! I cry when I'm frustrated or nervous, and I knew at any second a tear would fall. After that there's no stopping it. Bring on the flood of tears!  I said to her, "I actually live in Oklahoma, my flight leaves in about 4 hours." I didn't want to sound pushy or demanding, but I knew I had but a few more opportunities to land a job. She put her face in her palms and apologized again. I asked if there was ANY way they could conduct at least a brief interview and allow me to do the lesson demo I had prepared.  She went back to her office for about 15 more minutes. When she came back out she told me they were going to move some things around and allow me to give the lesson I'd prepared. I  was relieved, while at the same time really nervous. My brain was completely scattered and now I had to give a lesson on proper and common nouns to a class full of first graders. I drank some water, took some deep breaths, and gave it my best shot. The lesson surprisingly went really well, the children were engaged and participating. I felt I did a really good job. I am usually pretty critical of myself after every lesson demo or presentation I give, but this time was different. I was actually proud of myself. During the Q&A portion of the interview, as if the morning wasn't crazy enough, there was a lock-down drill. I was told to go to a nearby classroom and get in the closet with the same class and their teacher. I couldn't do anything but laugh. I was in a pitch black classroom closet with a group of whispering 1st graders and their teacher. They were confused as to why I was in there with them. I was confused as to why I was in there with them. When the drill was over, the teachers turned the lights on and the kids all stared at me. One little boy asked his teacher if I was a stranger. The teacher responded, "SHE IS A GUEST NOT A STRANGER! GO SIT DOWN!" She turned to me and apologized I wanted to burst out laughing, but I hurried out of the room before the whole class caught on that I WAS actually a stranger who was randomly stuffed into a closet with them. 

If you're still reading, thank you!

I returned home on Friday, and got busy working. I didn't think too much about the interview because there was a lot to do at work with testing wrapping up. Toward the end of the day, I got a call from the principal of the school I had just interviewed with the day before. She said "Leesa, I just want to thank you for exhibiting so much humility and flexibility during that very abnormal interview. You handled the situation with so much grace, and we'd love to offer you a position with Democracy Prep Harlem Elementary." I don't know how the conversation went after that. It included a bunch of thank you's and a lot of excitement. You guys, God is so good. He's so faithful. I've waited, I've prayed, I've cried, I've doubted; and through it all God has been right there working things out in His timing. I've cried so many times already, tears of joy and sadness. When I think of all the wonderful experiences I've had with my kids and co-workers at my current school I get emotional. I've learned sooo much at Sequoyah.  I'm a ball of tears when I think about leaving my parents, and my brother. I don't even want to think about leaving my incredible friends! You're telling me I have to... make new friends? How does one even do that? The relationships I've built, especially in the last 5 years, have proven to be invaluable. But! I'll make it. I mean, how could I not? I truly believe this was meant for me. God has guided me through this entire process, and I have faith that He'll continue to do so.  Anyway, thank you guys for reading, and I hope you stay with me on this journey. 

5 MetroCards from 5 years of visiting the city. I will finally no longer be a visitor.