## Slamming the breaks on life: My journey to become a teacher (The Final Installment)
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<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSunciZtCne9UshTdcpmGHBZGxCFxZJCiv1DgLDBL9Eu4/image.png)
[Source](https://memegenerator.net/instance/58967808/hold-the-fuck-up-orton-pump-your-brakes-this-aint-what-you-want)</center>

The @steemiteducation homework a few weeks ago asked people to describe the reason they decided to become a teacher. I knew as soon as I looked at the homework assignment that it was one that I wanted to submit. What I didn’t realize at that moment was how much there was to my story. A story that I considered simple in my mind started to look and feel very complex as I started to go through the process of putting it into words. This homework assignment for @steemiteducation has become so much more than that. This process has been a wonderful trip down memory lane that I could in no way condense into a single post.
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<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWqmT7A4Bh9X8r1TSkkc376UwW56f1T9AgnMH8MLPBzLc/image.png)
[Source](https://www.women.com/shannon/lists/whats-the-max-instagram-story-video-length)</center>


In [part 1](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@broncofan99/slamming-the-breaks-on-life-my-journey-to-become-a-teacher-part-1) of this homework, I detailed my career and some of my life before teaching was even a consideration in my mind. [Part 2](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@broncofan99/slamming-the-breaks-on-life-my-journey-to-become-a-teacher-part-2), chronicled my journey as I quit my job and waited on an acceptance to teachers college. [Part 3](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@broncofan99/slamming-the-breaks-on-life-my-journey-to-become-a-teacher-part-3) was the story of how I clawed my way through 6 years of supply teacher and not knowing if I would ever get a permanent contract. If you have not read [part 1](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@broncofan99/slamming-the-breaks-on-life-my-journey-to-become-a-teacher-part-1), [part 2](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@broncofan99/slamming-the-breaks-on-life-my-journey-to-become-a-teacher-part-2) or  [Part 3](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@broncofan99/slamming-the-breaks-on-life-my-journey-to-become-a-teacher-part-3), I would encourage you to go back and check them out so that you can have a little more context for this post. This fourth and final post will cover how answering a single phone call changed everything and led me to where I am today.
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<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNuJGXX3cZTCHzAzyEm9Uy7s4VmLs5A5dABCeo1fpVsKW/image.png)
[Source](https://lifehacker.com/waste-phone-scammers-time-instead-of-yours-with-robokil-1824049341)</center>

I can still remember the exact moment when I answered the phone like it was yesterday. I had just left a meeting with a school to potentially do some supply teacher work and I was heading home. I was driving down a long stretch of road when my Bluetooth rang in the car. It was a vice principal who I had done some supply teaching work for over the past few years. I hadn’t heard from her that year as she had just changed schools and it was a school I had never been to before. She told me that they had an opening for a short-term contract for a teacher that was about to go on maternity leave and had to start her leave early. Of course, I was always interested in these short-term contracts. They meant a little more stability and consistent pay. 

The job was as a Learning Support Teacher, a role I had yet to play in my journey. She was confident that I could do it and informed me that there was lots of support available to help get me going. I quickly accepted the position and was set to start the following Monday. I visited the school twice that week before starting to get acclimated to my new surroundings and to meet with the outgoing teacher so I could be brought up to speed on the kids she was working with. Not only was I going to be working directly with high needs kids and supporting teachers but I was also going to be responsible for testing students, liaising with board specialists such as our psychologist and occupational therapist. I would be preparing all individual education plans IEP’s and putting together applications for specialized classes for students. I was nervous and excited beyond belief. This was going to be a great learning opportunity and something I could use to bulk up my resume.
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<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVcEvh241LmYYH4FSmvGdmqpCfmULa5m3myFEcat5dvpw/image.png)
[Source](http://house.speakingsame.com/school_img.php?id=8606&seq=4&name=Maclean+Public+School&region=Maclean)</center>

The three months flew by and were a fantastic experience. I was able to get involved in the school on several different levels including coaching and being part of setting up a Green Team initiative. Things went so well that I was asked to come back the following year to finish out the remaining time that the teacher would be on maternity leave. This was such an exciting time and it meant that I didn’t have to worry about when or how much I would be working the following year. The next year was an extremely engaging and educational year. Knowing that I was there for the whole year allowed me to get involved at so many different levels and really become part of the school. I easily fit in with the staff at the school and had a great support system around me. I felt like I was flourishing as a teacher and was enjoying part of this team. 

I was enjoying my position as a learning support teacher so much that I decided to get my special education specialist and was, therefore, taking a class through the second half of the school year. The end of May is when the school board starts hiring for the next year and there was a position opening up at the school. The position was for a halftime LST (which I was already doing) and ½ time English to French Immersion (ETFI) teacher. I was excited when I was offered an interview for the position and couldn’t wait to sit with the principal and vice principal  I had been working so closely with over the previous 11 months and tell them why I felt I was perfect for the position.
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<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmURJh9o3uZ3pk3VBaxKZGwhqHy6RDdzxdDT3atXDEr3v8/image.png)
[Source](https://dumielauxepices.net/wallpaper-1787921)</center>

When the day of the interview came I was a jumble of emotions. I was excited about the opportunity but at the same time, I was stressed about making sure that the interview went perfectly. I had been on several of these interviews before and even though I felt comfortable with my experience and ability to communicate effectively, there was so much riding on this 30 minutes that it was hard not to worry. I walked into the conference room full of anticipation and was greeted warmly by the two people who I had just sat in on a special education systems class application meeting with the week before. I was asked to take a seat. I was ready for the interview to begin. The principal looked at me and started to speak. She said, 

>Thanks for meeting with us this morning. We want you to know how much we have appreciated everything you have done for us here at the school since you arrived last year. You are someone who genuinely cares about the kids and get involved at any level where needed. You have brought some great ideas to our school and started clubs and teams without being asked. Just last week I watched you lead a meeting with board officials and I was so impressed with your poise and preparedness. It is because of you that the application was accepted. I want to make it clear right now that this job is yours! This interview is a formality and we have already decided that we are not going to lose you.

I was blown away and so touched by her words. I swelled with emotion and was on the verge of tears as I heard the words “this job is yours”. It was finally happening. My long struggle to find a permanent position had finally come to an end after 6 and 1/2 years. I was going to be a contract teacher with all the benefits and pension and everything that I had dreamed of. From that moment almost 8 years prior when I decided to quit my job to the moment when all my efforts came to fruition. The journey was hard but totally worth it. I had finally found a home and a place where I could learn and grow as a teacher. I have been teaching at that school now for 10 years and have taught everything from ETFI, grade 2 and now teaching grade 8.
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<center><img src="https://us.123rf.com/450wm/redcollegiya/redcollegiya1710/redcollegiya171000120/88104614-los-sue%C3%B1os-se-hacen-realidad-las-letras-del-vector-en-el-fondo-borroso.jpg?ver=6" alt="Related image"/>
[Source](https://es.123rf.com/photo_88104614_los-sue%C3%B1os-se-hacen-realidad-las-letras-del-vector-en-el-fondo-borroso.html)</center>

I love what I do and where I teach. Even though I have moved further away from the school I don’t begrudge the commute because I am truly in a great place. I look back now and can only imagine where I would be if that phone call had never come. You never know when your big opportunity might present itself.