I Got a Full-Time Job!

When I went to the interview for a Learning Support Services position at a middle school (Gr.6-8), I wasn't expecting too much. In fact, after the interview I didn't think I did too well during the formal aspect of the interview; I felt I did best during my Q&A period and the principal and I chatted for another 1/2 hour more. Somehow, he saw something appealing at the interview and I got hired!

It's only a temporary position, but I think it might be because they want to know if the new person would be successful. Obviously I'm nervous in an excited way because I didn't think I would find a full-time position so soon. However, I'm nervous in a not-so-good way for a couple of reasons.

The posting, I feel, was a little misleading. At first, I thought they were looking for a teacher to help in the learning assistance resource centre, where I might be helping up to five students at a time helping them catch up on work that they might have missed due to some learning difficulties. My experience at KGS helped prepare me for that. But in the informal portion of the interview, the principal talked about students with Autism, which I can handle a bit because I've dealt with students with Asperger's before, too. Still further into the interview the principal's questions related to international students and ESL students and how the school board was mandated to change how Abbotsford schools address their needs. Then after I got the call to say that I was the successful candidate, the principal recommended that I attend a meeting intended for really new people in the learning support services on policy-making and documentation since I would be "taking care of all the paperwork."

So, now I feel challenged to help this middle school become the leader in the whole district in terms of a program that would help ESL, International, and Autistic students in addition to other students who may require support, but are not designated. And I'm not even sure how much teaching I will get if I'm in charge of "all the paperwork." What if I'm expected to teach AND do "all the paperwork?" As a teacher, I find paperwork the least favourite part of my job so to be given this as my main task, so it seems, would be less than favourable.

What makes this task more daunting is the fact that the lady who originally had this position seemed like she was the one who pioneered a program and made it successful and now that she's left to become the director of the ministry in this field, I'm left to fill in her big shoes. I'm not sure if I'm putting all these heavy expectations on myself or if there really is an expectation at the school and board levels for me to design and maintain an effective program the way she had it done.

On the bright side, I was doing some online research from the BC Ministry and suddenly I got kind of excited about the job and all the possibilities and opportunities of growth and experience that could come out of this position. I started playing scenarios in my head about some of the students and activities and lessons I could teach.

I thank God for this job opportunity, but at the same time I'm asking for so much help and to be empowered by His Spirit to give me strength and wisdom. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, but then again, I had a wonderful time at KGS. I didn't study to be a Special Ed elementary school teacher, but there I was. I truly feel, with this new job position, that God had been paving my way here. Somehow He has other plans than for me to be a secondary school English teacher. I hope I do a good job.