Friday, June 26, 2009

Rejection

rejection: the act of being rejected

reject: 1 a: to refuse to accept, consider, submit to, take for some purpose, or use b: to refuse to hear, receive, or admit : rebuff, repel c: to refuse as lover or spouse2obsolete : to cast off 3: throw back, repulse4: to spew out5: to subject to immunological rejection
synonyms see decline (from merriam-webster.com)



For those of you who may not know, Mark lost his job back in April. With the current state of our economy, we decided that maybe it was time for me to return to teaching [I've been home with the boys for the last 4 years]. After all, teaching is a relatively stable job ~ there will always be kids who need teachers.

So, I've been applying for teaching positions. Both elementary positions and reading specialist positions. Part time, full time, long term sub, and permanent positions. I've actually been surprised at the number of openings out there.

I was thrilled when I got an email over our vacation requesting an interview with the principal. Granted, this was my first interview in 8(!) years and I was a bit nervous. Even though I was not at all confident in how I interviewed, I was asked to come back and teach a demonstration lesson to a 2nd grade class two days later.

I thought I nailed the lesson.
I thought I nailed the second interview with the assistant principal and reading specialist.
I came out of there with my head held high and pretty confident I would be offered something ~ I mean they did have three reading positions open.

Today, I got my "Dear John" letter.
"....the final decision was not an easy one. yada. yada. yada....not selected at this time....we will continue to consider you for a teaching position."

Sure you will.

And as I sat here crying to Mark on the phone, it dawned on me that this is the first time in my 34 1/2 years that I've never gotten the job for which I interviewed.

Maybe that's why this is so difficult. Maybe that's why I feel so rejected. I know I'm a wonderful teacher and it's their loss.

I know there's a reason for this.
And I trust that God has a better plan ~ I just thought this was it.

Oh, well.
Let me wallow over my piece of leftover ice cream cake [go Dairy Queen!]
Yes, it's leftover from Ryan's birthday.
Last July.
But I can't lie....it's still yummy! :)

5 comments:

Kristin said...

Oh Amy...been there done that and that is exactly why it feels so bad right now. It feels like it came out of left field with the additional stress really needing the job.
I am absolutely positive you will find the right fit soon. You are totally right, it is there loss!

Unknown said...

Aww, you'll get something. I was rejected for jobs, then something else turned up and it ended up being better!! Good luck!!

Lisa said...

You are an awesome teacher Amy!! You will get one!!

Cindi said...

That stinks. But you'll probably find another job even better than that one. Then you'll be thankful you got passed over on this one. Best of luck!

Unknown said...

Amy, glad you shared this...I didn't know about Mark losing his job...I am sorry about the interview...I worked in teaching long enough to know the unfortunate politics of school districts...often, too, as you know they will take a first year teacher over someone with experience so that don't have to pay as much...their loss for sure, and God does have a better plan. Keep the faith! Romans 8!