A little over 8 years ago, I had almost finished student teaching and was searching for a job at a small Catholic school. I had completed one interview at Holy Rosary-Wea, a small school outside a suburb of KC, when my mom mentioned an ad in the Catholic Advance looking for teachers for the soon to be newly "re"converted Catholic school in St. Joe, Ost. "No way!" I told her. I was NOT going to teach combined classes. I applied anyways and a few weeks later, I was back home for the weekend for not one, not two, but 4 interviews! My home parish, St. Patrick's, Kingman, Holy Name, Coffeyville, St. Peter's Shulte, and St. Joseph, Ost. What a long weekend! Here's a quick summary of my interviews:
St. Patrick's: very odd- I don't think I had ever truly entered the principal's office before, but it would have been even more bizarre if it had been the same principal when I was there. This turned out to be more of a practice interview because they didn't think they were in need of a teacher the following year. She was helpful, because she was helping Mrs. Harmon (new principal at St. Joe, Ost) conduct her interviews.
Holy Name: I met Sr. Janice downtown Wichita at the Catholic School's Office. I do not remember much of our interview, but that something just didn't "seem" right. It was also pretty far away from home since I could save money living with my parents.
St. Peter's: Interviewed twice: once with just the principal and once with the school council-awkward! Needless to say, I was re-jected!
St. Joseph: Last interview-I was tired, hot, had a sore throat (which was to become a theme here-every year I taught I would be close to hoarse the first week or two of school) and three of us were stuck in a tiny back room of the old convent with junk all around. ( I am sure the clean-up process had begun and this was one of the only viable rooms to use). However, the interview went amazingly well. I remember Mrs. Harmon, looking at her notes and saying, "Wow, you just answered the next question." I wasn't trying to be an overachiever, but I truly felt "at home." Just like the Apostles in the upper room, I believe the Holy Spirit was at work in that tiny, crowded back room. I'd say we all were comfortable, for even Fr. Eck sat in his chair, arms crossed and eyes closed. (Someday, I'll ask him whether he was deep in prayer or deep asleep!)
I can easily say my whole St. Joe experience has been "letting go, and letting God." I had two offers for a job and believe it or not I chose the "No way!" school. That first year of teaching was very demanding. I spent very little time away from the classroom. So sorry to say that the previous school had really slagged in their job and most students were a year or more behind. A first year teacher has so very much to learn in general, not to mention at a new school, with all new first year faculty. That first year, I can literally say I didn't "sit down." Even my planning period was spent doing lesson plans and copies for a 5th grader with brain cancer (God rest his soul) because he couldn't come to school. Again the Holy Spirit was at work, keeping me motivated and determined to work hard. The students, parents, and parish also deserved much credit for their dedication and hard work to strive ever forward and put the school's new theme into action: An Old Tradition with a New Beginning. Looking back, I can see that God was preparing me for my life now: a constantly learning, growing, and changing experience as a mom. That's right- a mom. Which brings me to another example of letting go and letting God. About 6 weeks after resigning myself to looking for Mr. Right, Mr. Right did show up-a St. Joe native helping his dad coach the 6th through 8th grade basketball teams. I taught two years as Miss Powell and the third year as Mrs. Clupny. After the third year, I resigned to God's will yet again and stayed home with our first child that was due that October.
Today I definitely have a different "view" of St. Joseph Catholic School, Ost. I'm no longer a part of the faculty, but I literally can see a lot of happenings from my front door (my husband and I bought my grandmother's house which sits only yards away from the school.) My soon to be sister-in-law is currently a teacher there. My oldest will be in Kindergarten in 2013. (see link below for a quick video snap of him-second 54). And if progress stays on track, his class will be the first to have all the new additions The parish recently received permission to begin building additional classrooms in order to divide the current combined classes to accommodate their growing attendance. (See Channel 12 video clip here). From my view, I still see dedicated faculty,students, parents, and a parish working hard for an important goal. The school has had many achievements and honors these past eight years-both academic and spiritual- including one important award received this past year: the Governor's Award. I only hope that St. Joseph will continue its "Old Tradition with a New Beginning" with God as its final goal, for the sake of my children and for all those who will attend or have attended this blessed school. I hope that St. Joe will be a place they call home. A place that will prepare them for life; a place where they can learn to let go of their will in order to do the will of God to prepare them for their future home: Heaven.
