It’s Amazing Grace

Ever since I graduated with my B.S. degree from Cal. Baptist University in the year 2000 I have been hard at work trying to find a full-time job. Even after I received my M.S. degree from Cal. State Fullerton, it was still a painstaking process. Seven years have gone by now and in that time I have done it all–personal training at Bally’s Total Fitness, substitute teaching K-12 regular and special education at CNUSD and RCS school districts,  two long-term Adapted Physical Education substitute teaching assignments, coaching track and field, Chick-fil-A kitchen worker, and finally down to my current position…Instructional Aid. In the midst of it all I couldn’t understand why it was so difficult and I wanted God to tell me what he wanted me to do because I wasn’t sure I was going in the right direction.

Until this past Thursday when I went to go see my counselor, Bobby at CIFT, and she suggested I try calling colleges again to see if I could get an adjunct teaching position. You see, I had already tried doing that and it just didn’t work out at the time. But upon calling my alma matter, CBU, I spoke an older lady–a long time friend of mine who use to watch me fly past everybody on the basketball court at college games, as she always says. I knew she was still the secretary for the Kinesiology Dept., so when I called her she got up and went to her new boss’ (Sean) office and told him about me. She transferred me over to his main line and had a very, very exciting conversation with him. They are in need of a part-time professor. However, he asked me to e-mail him my resume so I did the following night around 1am. I didn’t want to waist too much time because I wanted him to know that I was serious about getting the experience teaching at the college level. You see, I just have to know if I would enjoy it more–Is it the job for me? I called him later that same morning when I was at work and he checked his e-mail and looked over my resume. He seemed to be very impressed with all the experiences I gained over the past 7 years and to learn that I am a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and American College of Sports Medicine Health/Fitness Instructor Certified. He said,” they are in need of someone who can teach Adapted P.E. and regular Physical Education courses to undergraduate student. But with my concentration being in Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics (Sports Medicine) he was hesitant that I would want to teach P.E. courses. But I wanted to teach P.E.. I have learned that I have to be flexible. Besides I had a double concentration in Exercise Science and Physical Education at CBU. But our conversation didn’t end there. He told me I have a really good chance (considering I’m one of CBU’s own) of getting the “Lecturer” position which pays approx. 30k/year (more than adjunct) and comes with health benefits, unlike the adjunct position. I would teach 3 classes during the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays, along with 1 or 2 night classes on Wednesdays. And he went on to say that they are going to have a full-time position sometime next fall that will pay $60,000 plus a year. I felt like I hit the jackpot. And, then I finally looked back at all my positions and how God was preparing me for this position. Sure, I could have done adjunct a long time ago, but I wouldn’t nearly be as good of a teacher then that I can be know with all the knowledge I have gained working in a school district with regular and special education students. Surely, I can teach undergrads how to be effective teachers for Christ no matter where they may go throughout the world. Plus, I see it as me being able to reach more kids this way, than on my own with my own set of high school classes. I feel like I know what these kids need and I want to give it to them through teaching teachers how to be that special somebody in a kids life. You have know idea how thrilled and alleviated I feel right now! Just to know all those jobs I worked were not in vain…but can be used teaching undergrads at Cal Baptist. I’m still going to finish my Special Education Credential at National University because he said I could possibly teach in the special education dept. at CBU as well because they also have a great need for professors. I plan on keeping my Single-Subject and Special Education Credentials up-to-date so that I can continue to be a better effective teacher. Oh, and I will probably be able to still coach track at ERHS because practice times would interfere with my work schedule.

Even working in the kitchen at Chick-fil-A has taught me something…to be humble and work hard at whatever I do. I have an immense amount of respect, appreciation and compassion for those who work in fast food industries making barley enough money to survive off of…especially the overwhelming amount of Mexicans who work in this sweaty, hot and back-breaking environment to support their kids so that their kids can get an education and get jobs that they would enjoy doing. In a way, God sent me out into the world and brought me back to my roots to share my experiences.

You know, it’s funny…because I go to church, eat, and play recreational football with the Sandal’s guys on Saturdays at CBU. And, now I maybe working their…I guess I love my old school…I should just live there…maybe don’t want to go that far!(smile)