Meanwhile, back on track to the classroom. That summer I made weekly visits to the office of the assistant superintendent checking for the availability of a teaching position for the fall.
One day, I walked in immediately after the delivery of a huge stack of books and computers. This time when I asked the question the answer was, “Well, if you can teach four classes of computer class at the junior high school in the fall, you can have the job.” My answer was, “I’ve never touched or used a computer before but I can learn.”
After purchasing Commodore 64 for my house and after attending a couple of during the summer, I was in computeronics class! Honestly, as you can imagine, I flew by the seat of my pants, learning along with my students. I find comfort in the fact that I obviously did not do too much damage and at least sparked some interest because many of those students went on to get degrees and have very successful careers in all areas of IT.
So, there I was teaching four morning classes with afternoons free for studying and preparation when that abruptly changed. Three weeks into the school year the superintendent showed up at my classroom door and offered me an afternoon position at the high school six miles away.
It seems they had hired a first year fully qualified education major to teach some general math and science classes to juniors and seniors.
Another look back in time: In those days there were no alternative schools or official pull out alternative classes but problem and low achieving students were in this case grouped together. Unfortunately, these were the classes she was given and in less than a month she had a breakdown and quit.
Therefore, they needed someone to take two of her afternoon classes. So I began what I refer to as “my year in teaching hell”.
Biblical Inspiration: Isaiah 26:3-4 – You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Biblical Inspiration: Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through God who strengthens me.
Biblical Inspiration: Matthew 18:20 – Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Lesson in a Nutshell: Life isn’t always easy; even when we are in God’s will.
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