This post is to share my story specifically to those who didn't get the answers they were looking for right away: when doors were closed and you had to continue to praise Him in the hallway while you waited your turn.
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time" Thomas Edison
I had a sudden medical situation with someone I care deeply about that I decided to give my undivided attention to. This meant finding a way to be released from my contract so that I could focus without added stress or pressure. It was a tough decision to make, but my mind and heart was just not focused on teaching at that particular moment. I was very appreciative however for being able to work with a great staff and administration; although the work environment presented itself with challenging situations, the relationships I had built with other teachers and students, at the end of it all, seemed to be worth it. During my short time in Columbus, I was also in a position to catch up on all the time I had missed with family and friends while being away in Houston. However, I was still feeling like something was missing. I was feeling as if I was not living out my true purpose and full potential. It was during this time that I decided to not fully give up on my old opportunity. I used this sudden "release" to pursue teaching overseas again.
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Confucius
I had signed up with a new recruiting agency (Edvectus) by completing an online profile and uploading all of my documents using their portal and was quickly contacted by a new recruiter. It seemed as if I was interviewing a lot with the intent of someone finally giving me a shot; my patience was wearing thin and my emotions were in overdrive, until one day, my recruiter strongly suggested looking into other countries besides the UAE. I was very skeptical about it at first but decided to go for it anyways, which led me to interview with a couple of schools in China. I felt as if all the interviews I had completed (even through some of the technical difficulties with Skype) were conducted very well: I was very professional, was confident in my answers, and was extremely hopeful for an offer. But once again nothing was panning out. I was really concerned and felt the no call backs were due to my lack of consistency with being at one school, but I was determined to stay focused while knowing that 1) some things are just out of your control in life and 2) if one door closes, another one would open and right on time.
I had a conversation with my recruiter about why no one was choosing me and question myself. She replied:
"Yes I understand your frustration. Myself and my colleagues are equally baffled by this. I don’t know what the reasons are at the moment but I hope to find out. In any case, during our Skype chat, I really did not see anything you presented which seemed problematic. It is possible that they are going with more experience as positions in the UAE are very competitive.
I am hoping for good news at least from one of the schools.
Best wishes"
After this conversation, I was in preparation for what would be my last interview that would be conducted via telephone. It was around 5 AM in the states, which means it was around 2 PM UAE time. I remember stepping outside of my apartment in the cold brisk air, saying a little prayer of encouragement to myself to pump me up, and inhaling and exhaling one time deeply. Then, the phone rang right on schedule.
During this interview, I was asked specifically about the following:
1) Why is it important to revise and edit yearly and daily plans?
2) How do I plan to utilize technology in which the students are using it as a tool for learning?
3) How do I handle discipline concerns?
4) How well do I work with others?
5) Am I flexible?
6) How well do I adjust and adapt to new situations and circumstances? Does being in a new country for the first time pose a threat to my environment?
I also was asked specifically about my situation in regards to starting a new school each school year. I had to explain that one, I worked in the same district while teaching in Houston, just at different schools based on need, and two, I had to immediately find work my third year teaching once I was informed that my job offer was rescinded.
The principal was impressed by my answers and offered me the job without thinking twice. Since it was a telephone interview, I was able to express my enthusiasm with body motion rather than vocally. I jumped up and down in the parking lot of my apartment complex and ran around like I was told that I had just won 1 million dollars tax free all in silence, then, quickly pulled myself together to accept the job offer. I remember immediately texting my friend who was in China and letting her know the good news before anyone seeing as she had been through this process with me since I decided to get back at it with the overseas job hunt. I received my official letter of offer via email and was given specific directions on how to respond from my recruiter. The process had begun once again.
This was a VERY special yet overwhelming moment in my life. I just remember crying tears of joy and thanksgiving. I was so filled with gratitude and praise. I was emotional at the thought of simply deciding to take it upon myself to go to God with what I wanted and work with Him to make it happen; it was a very proud moment of achievement. The entire situation with making life altering plans and things not panning out the way you expect them to but staying in the fight by overcoming the setbacks and detours really proved to me that I could have anything I set my mind; that if I TRUST in His will for my life, and stay positive no mater what comes my way, that all will work out eventually. The seed had been planted and now the beautiful flower was beginning to grow. Getting this job offer truly marked the beginning of a new and improved Erica; one who was more humble and focused on positive energy. I felt purposeful again. I felt like my destiny was reemerging and life as I knew it was about to take a topsy turvy turn for an even brighter and promising future.
During this interview, I was asked specifically about the following:
1) Why is it important to revise and edit yearly and daily plans?
2) How do I plan to utilize technology in which the students are using it as a tool for learning?
3) How do I handle discipline concerns?
4) How well do I work with others?
5) Am I flexible?
6) How well do I adjust and adapt to new situations and circumstances? Does being in a new country for the first time pose a threat to my environment?
I also was asked specifically about my situation in regards to starting a new school each school year. I had to explain that one, I worked in the same district while teaching in Houston, just at different schools based on need, and two, I had to immediately find work my third year teaching once I was informed that my job offer was rescinded.
The principal was impressed by my answers and offered me the job without thinking twice. Since it was a telephone interview, I was able to express my enthusiasm with body motion rather than vocally. I jumped up and down in the parking lot of my apartment complex and ran around like I was told that I had just won 1 million dollars tax free all in silence, then, quickly pulled myself together to accept the job offer. I remember immediately texting my friend who was in China and letting her know the good news before anyone seeing as she had been through this process with me since I decided to get back at it with the overseas job hunt. I received my official letter of offer via email and was given specific directions on how to respond from my recruiter. The process had begun once again.
"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space." Johnny Cash
This was a VERY special yet overwhelming moment in my life. I just remember crying tears of joy and thanksgiving. I was so filled with gratitude and praise. I was emotional at the thought of simply deciding to take it upon myself to go to God with what I wanted and work with Him to make it happen; it was a very proud moment of achievement. The entire situation with making life altering plans and things not panning out the way you expect them to but staying in the fight by overcoming the setbacks and detours really proved to me that I could have anything I set my mind; that if I TRUST in His will for my life, and stay positive no mater what comes my way, that all will work out eventually. The seed had been planted and now the beautiful flower was beginning to grow. Getting this job offer truly marked the beginning of a new and improved Erica; one who was more humble and focused on positive energy. I felt purposeful again. I felt like my destiny was reemerging and life as I knew it was about to take a topsy turvy turn for an even brighter and promising future.
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