It's been awhile since I've written a blog. As I woke up this morning, I was soaking up the fact that I will be embarking on a new career as a full-time math teacher in the fall. I'm going from a career I was once familiar with to a career that I'm learning about each day with prayer, guidance, and wisdom. This blog post chronicles my journey from changing careers to persevering in the midst of struggle. I want to share it again as a testament to what God can do.
The following testimony was shared on Facebook on April 25, 2015:
I remember back in 2012, feeling burnt out and not quite fitting into the accounting industry I was working in, an industry that I dedicated my studies too since high school. I chose that industry at the age of 9 based on my love for numbers and the money potential, not really considering the cost years later and other gifts that I possessed, mainly teaching. The teaching part of my personality has been part of me since I was 5, lol. My parents and my late, kindergarten teacher,
Linda Lane Owens can testify to that. Looking back I realized that throughout high school and college, I remember always extending a helping hand to classmates and colleagues not really paying attention to the fact that God would draw me into education one day. The idea of me teaching didn't cross my mind until I oversaw the work of a few accounting interns,
Thaddeus Maximus,
Chelsea Lately, and
Tee Jester from June-Oct. 2012. I enjoyed showing them the basics of accounting. By that time, I had connected w/
CoachEric Speer, a fellow educator and track coach, who after learning about my accounting background encouraged me to pursue teaching, particularly in Math. It was interesting because I kept meeting teachers and professors that year. I didn't think about teaching again until after I lost my job in 2013. I wasn't able to get back into my field immediately so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and apply as a substitute teacher. After submitting my application, I was hired and processed that summer. I did get back into accounting temporarily in 2014 but it was project based so when that ended, it was back to teaching I went. Once I was in the classroom, it made sense that I was called to education. I've always been a Math geek and Math is one of the critical areas that students dislike and struggle with. I don't like to see students struggle with basic math. Why not fulfill that need? So after another year of constant contemplation, personal challenges, doubts, stress, frustrated days and nights, and constant prayers, I decided on March 3, 2015 to register for the GACE Middle Grades Math test and today, on April 25, 2015, I'm happy to say that I PASSED!!! I'm so thankful for the encouragement from students, fellow teachers, and my first set of teachers, my parents for stressing the importance of an education. I praise GOD for His love, strength, correction, conviction, and being my guide. I pray that anyone who reads this knows that when you are faithful with a little, God will bring forth those who need your testimony and gift(s). Be encouraged.
The following post was originally shared on Sunday, June 5, 2016 in the Facebook group, "LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT IN GA" :
Good morning everyone!! I didn't share this last month but it was on my heart to share this morning to encourage someone. In Feb. 2013, I lost my job in the accounting industry and I was unemployed for six months and living off my savings account and any money that was given to me by friends and family. Prior to that I went through a transition and really started to be honest with myself about my passions. The passion I had wasn't there anymore and I began to be drawn to my writing and teaching. In March 2013, I finished my Master's in Accounting and Financial Mgmt and was still looking for jobs. I was encouraged to apply to substitute teach until I found something else. By May, I was hired to sub and in July, I committed myself to contract work for a nonprofit. Between those opportunities, I volunteered to keep myself occupied and not focused on my situation. So as the school year began, I was getting used to sub teaching and in March 2014, I received a call for a contract Accounting position. I accepted and I did both jobs. I noticed however that working in that industry wasn't the same anymore and I started to think about the students. The contract ended in Sept. 2014 and I was back in the classroom. I decided to take the Middle Grades Math GACE in April 2015 and passed. From there, I began job searching. By July, I was told I had to go back and complete more assessments due to a new GA law. I was irritated, because of my finances. But, I committed myself to save and take those necessary tests between Sept. and Oct. 2015. I was still applying to jobs. I shared with a sis in Christ (a teacher) that I was looking for a position and she shared that her school had just hired a teacher. She encouraged me to look consistently and to let her know when I saw a position. In Dec. 2015, I saw a posting for a Math position, but I was too late again because I didn't see it until around Christmas Eve. I still reached out, shared my interest, and sent my resume over. As 2016 came in, I received a call from the school in regards to a position I was interested in, although it was filled before the holidays. However, I was asked if I would be willing to interview for a science position, Life Science to be exact. I thought about it. Although, science wasn't one of my favorite subjects, I did like Life Science. So I said yes I would interview. By this time, I was enduring allergies/sinuses, but I had a great interview. I didn't hear from the principal, but she assured me that when something opened up, she would reach out to me. At the end of January I interviewed at another school. Another great interview, but no call back. I remember receiving an email for another interview at another school, but I became discouraged, tired, and burnt out so I didn't go. I was tired of the process. In Feb., I had a few more interviews, with the same results. In March, I went to a state-wide district fair and I gave out a few resumes, but once again the process was draining. I pushed myself to go to another district fair in April and once again was disappointed. By May, I stopped looking and was focused with finishing the school year. I even considered going back to Accounting so I began applying to clerical/accounting jobs. In the beginning of May, I received 3 different emails to attend 3 different career fairs, but I had to decide which one. I chose one and stuck with that choice and then in that same week, the first principal I interviewed with in January emailed me, expressing how impressed she was with my interview. A position had opened up and she was offering it to me and wanted to discuss further. I was elated so I agreed. Once, again I'm dealing with allergies/sinuses. We discussed the position and I accepted the offered and will be teaching in the fall. She expressed to me that even though I was willing to teach one subject, she knew my heart was for math. I admit, I was grieved in my spirit because it was the same day, the news reported about the new restroom laws. At that moment, I began to pray that God protect and guide me in this new assignment. I was reminded that He alone is my Source and anything else is a resource to do what He's called me to do. To those of you who are continuously searching for employment, continue to place God first in all you do, take heed of wise counsel and guidance, and know that God's plans for you outweigh anything that you can ever imagine for yourself. Keep pressing and never give up. God bless!
As I close, again I pray that those who are currently unemployed or thinking about stepping out on faith to do what your heart desires, that you be encouraged and don't stop pursuing what has been placed in you. Your gifts have made room for you. Keep praying and keep pursuing!
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| Original artwork by Lydell Martin. I met him at the For Sisters Only event, 2013 |
God bless,
Lequvia
