In His Perfect Time

I got the job! I'll be teaching again!

I was thrilled to hear from the other end of the phone that the school headmistress wants to meet me. I scrambled to take a bath and get dress as I only have 40 minutes before my scheduled interview. The temperature outside at 10 a.m.indicates that it is not a good time to go out. But the school isn't that far and I was able to get a taxi immediately to get me to Sahara mall. From there, I will ride another taxi to get me to the school. Good thing it wasn't traffic and I was able to ride a taxi whose driver knows exactly where to go.

When I arrived here in Sharjah last April, I told myself that I will give teaching a break. I wanted to try out other positions that suit my interests and qualifications. But I am not so lucky. Companies and recruitment agencies are looking for someone with years of UAE experience. That, or the job is far from where we live, or the salary is not enough to sustain our basic needs here. Most of the time, it is a strong negative gut feel that makes me disinterested to pursue the job.

Also, when Filipino acquaintances asked me about my desire to practice teaching here, they were not so optimistic and instead, advice me to apply for secretarial/office staff vacancies instead. And I understood what they meant when I started browsing for teaching vacancies. Qualifications include but are not limited to: preference for native English speakers, with TOEFL or IELTS certification, has a Western university degree or someone with years of UAE experience, or IGCSE/CBSE training. If Filipinos do land jobs in schools, they usually are in the administrative/ secretarial positions or assistant teachers or helpers/nannies. Unless you're applying in schools with Philippine curriculum, I think chances of landing a teaching post will be higher. So I started to pray harder to God. I prayed that He will direct my path in finding a teaching job. In my heart I knew that teaching is my calling (although I tried to put it aside for a while), not because I don't have a choice but because it is what I like doing. I find my sense of purpose in teaching. And so I asked God to help me grow in patience and perseverance that, despite many rejections/non-responses from schools, the right job for me will come... IN HIS PERFECT TIME.

Then I got a call one late afternoon telling me that I should go to this school and be prepared to give a teaching demonstration for History. I was really thrilled and nervous at the same time! I slept late preparing for it, reading and re-reading the textbook I got as a parting gift from my co-teacher and creating and editing the PowerPoint presentation for visuals. And my husband is so supportive! He printed and photocopied my lesson plan and bought me colored cartolinas and pens on his way home from office (Now, I have more reasons to love him =)).

On the day itself, I sought God's help again. I will give my best in this demonstration, the rest is up to Him. After the demonstration, I am thrilled (again) and happy to hear that the teachers and coordinator are impressed with my lesson delivery. The History teacher, who resigned and is looking for replacement, personally congratulated me as he was impressed with me demo. So it is with the subject coordinator. Though the coordinator find my demonstration interesting (I do not know if it is the same as impressive =)), she has second thoughts about accepting me because I do not have the necessary IGCSE training. Nonetheless, she will carefully consider my application and will give me a call before their last school day.

The last school day went by without a call from the school. I was down but not hopeless. So I continued to send CVs to schools for any suitable and available positions. I gave myself until the end of June to apply for teaching posts. If not, then I will focus on applying for non-teaching positions. Then it came. At 9:38 a.m. yesterday, I got the call that brought me the great news. I was hired a teacher! I met the principal along with my new subject coordinator to discuss salary details and other benefits. I am hired on a 3-month probation period. After that time, they will again evaluate my performance and should I meet or exceed their expectations, they will employ me permanently. I am still overwhelmed with the thought! I have no IGCSE training (yet) but still they hired me! And the other details I've been praying for like salary and transportation were included! More than I hoped for!

What is significant about yesterday, June 28? In the Catholic liturgical calendar, it is the joint Feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul. It was also the day I was accepted as a History teacher. It was indeed God's Perfect Time. It is also, I believe, my Harvest Time. After two months of planting(sending CVs and attending interviews), my efforts finally paid off.

Indeed, God generously rewards His faithful servants in HIS PERFECT TIME. =)