Grammar Police Officer

How I Got to Hilo

I found out in April that my contract would not be renewed. This was not a surprise to me, because the school is having budget crunches. I was the one that was 'crunched.'

I found out in April that my contract would not be renewed. This was not a surprise to me, because the school is having budget crunches. I was the one that was 'crunched.'

So I started out sending resumes and applications to schools all around, but particularly in the South and in Pennsylvania. After the school year ended, I flew to Philadelphia to interview at The Christian Academy, a classical Christian school in the ghetto. I really enjoyed my time at the school and my day being a tourist in Philadelphia. (I saw the Liberty Bell and Independendence Hall and Ben Franklin's privy pit.) BUT that was a no-go; they hired the English teacher who could also teach science.

So then it was the end of June and I had no more leads. I got on the ACSI website and did a search for schools that were hiring English teachers, and decided that I would search every state...even Hawaii. I decided to call The School for fun, and sent them my application by email just to see what would happen. Well, after many phone calls, I was offered a 5th grade position and accepted it.

I am here for 2 years, at least. That's not really a long time, considering a person's life span. I have this year, 5th grade, which is different than I thought. It is much harder than I thought! It's also easier to get the kids to do what I want them to do! I can praise one child and everyone wants praise, so they all shape up. Next year...who knows? I miss teaching upper grades and the intellectual stimulation in that situation, but there are already people who want me to do this again next year. Who knows, really? I will not even think about it till February and contract time.

So once I decided to come here, I started looking for a plane ticket. Transpacific flights are expensive! But God provided me with a buddy pass that cost less than $150! That is sooooo cheap--but I had to fly standby. The Denver-Salt Lake City leg was easy and there was no waiting, but the Salt Lake City-Honolulu flight was tougher. I was #4 on the list, and there were 2 open seats. Still, I got on! It was a miracle. I was prepared to spent the night in the airport, but I made it. And God provided a seat on a Honolulu-Hilo flight too, and here I am.

Now I am here. I have an efficiency apartment that is just across the street from the school. There is a grocery catercorner from my apartment, and a YWCA just across the street from me. I can walk a lot of places, so I am doing more walking than I used to.

So I researched Hawaii for fun and I called this school because all the East Coast schools were closed, and lo and behold, here I am.