About 7 years ago, I wrote a post about my Dad. I went back and read it, and I still stand by each word I wrote about him.
I guess it is natural for family and friends to believe in us and support us. However, it comes as a complete surprise when perfect strangers root for us. So, I want to give a shout out to Richard. And this is perhaps only the 2nd time that I have mentioned someone by their real name!
Richard is a local school principal. At the beginning of each school year, I would send him an email asking him to consider me for occasional teaching opportunities and then, almost always never showed up for various reasons. Then, I finally showed up in January 2023, after a battered and bruised battle with 2022. My mind was not quite there, but I needed to get out and be the professional I needed to be. Richard welcomed me and tried to provide me with as many supply teaching days as he could. I felt bad as there was already a regular supply teacher at this school, and it was a small school. Richard told me to let the teachers know about my availability and let them decide if they wanted me to cover for them. He told me to NOT overthink it.
In 2 strange twists, the regular supply teacher had to take some time off for personal reasons, and then, a teacher fell and had to go on medical leave. I ended up covering for teachers for 3 months and got a 2-month gig at the end of the school year. Richard let me know that he would be my reference for any future jobs.
Richard was not only my reference for a few jobs I applied to, but he also recommended me to the principal who eventually gave me my current 3-year contract position. This was the job that I didn’t know existed and I never applied to it. Thanks to Richard for bringing the job to my attention and bringing me to the principal’s attention.
Recently, I had my 1st TPA
(Teacher Performance Appraisal) as a new teacher, and my biggest concern was to
not let Richard down! When I got my feedback, I messaged Richard right away. He
responded with “Momley, you could never disappoint me.”. (Obviously,
he doesn’t call me ‘Momley’!)
Thanks to Richard and to all the believers and supporters in my life. I couldn’t have done it without all of you! I finally have my own classroom, and it is a dream come true!
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