Following my head heart?

An opportunity might be headed my way, one that is going to take a lot of deep thought, prayers for guidance, and looking into my heart. My friend Katie was just offered a job at Aldine Independent Schools near Houston, Texas. We have the same major (middle childhood education, science and language arts) and she was offered a middle school science job. They need teachers very, very badly, to the point where she was offered the job before he even looked over her resume. I actually have an interview scheduled with this district at the teacher job fair in April, but Katie says that I should apply now if I'm thinking of working in this district because they are building three new middle schools, and the first people hired will be given first choice of where to work. Now, I live up north, almost as far as you can go before hitting Canada, and know nothing of the district save for what I can find on their website, so I'm not incredibly picky about which school I end up at.

I could be worrying about this for nothing. They might not even offer me a job. And the weird part is, I'm not even that worried just yet. I know I get homesick sometimes, and I know it would be so difficult to be away from my family, but I also know that this could be my chance to see parts of the world that I might never see otherwise. To become part of a brand new culture that I might love. To be brave, take risks, be a good teacher in a district that really needs it, to help kids learn and grow in a place that is desperate for quality teachers. I've said that I will work anywhere and that if I have to leave this state to teach, then that's what I'll do. And I'm even excited about starting a whole new life. But it's a scary, scary thought. So much rests on such a decision! (Keep in mind, I haven't even applied- this is more hypothetical than anything at this point).

The thing is, this is my first year of teaching. It's not going to be perfect no matter where I go. I'm learning. I'll always be learning, and it's going to be hard and challenging and wonderful regardless of where I go, because I love middle school students, I love teaching, and I know this is where I'm supposed to be. This is what I am meant to do. And if I hate Texas, it's just one year. I feel like I could seriously regret not going if I let fear and the feeling of obligation to stand in my way. Maybe this is something I'm meant to do for myself, even if it's just to say I had the guts to take this chance.

I might be posting about this a lot in the next couple of weeks. Katie told me that the interviewer she was with will conduct phone interviews and even come back up here to interview because they prefer our school for hiring, and because they are looking for good, quality teachers no matter what it takes. A district that is so bent on finding the best teachers they can find is so appealing. I feel like it could be a really good environment to teach.

And one of the best parts is that I wouldn't be alone. Katie will be there, and my best friend Brittany is considering Aldine as well. It would be wonderful to be able to take a piece of home with me like that.

I am putting my application in tomorrow. I mean, what's the harm in applying, regardless of what I decide? Maybe this is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. And maybe not. I know that He will guide me.

Thank you for listening to my thoughts. So much is going through my head about this. You'll probably hear from me again sooner rather than later.