Third Year?

         The few times we’ve been in Oxford for class this semester it seems like the first question out of everyone’s mouth is ‘so….have you decided on what you’re doing for next year?’  The question is both complicated and unsettled, however, I certainly plan on teaching next year.  There are three determining factors that will decide where my wife and I end up.

1.)  Geographic Location = It takes a full 24 hours (assuming you stay at a hotel for 7 hours and take 2 bathroom breaks) to drive from Greenville to Charlottesville.  That’s just too far.  As much as I’ve absolutely enjoyed my time in Mississippi I simply miss seeing my friends and family.  I will always cherish my time here but I believe that the geographical isolation from all things familiar is too much to overcome when thinking about staying a third year.

2.)  Job Availability = There are few things places in the country that need teachers as badly as Mississippi.  I feel like most of the time I’m teaching in an incredibly dysfunctional part of the country although I always remind myself that I’m not paying a dime for my Master’s Degree in Education.  Having started the application process for schools in Charlottesville, Virginia Beach and Philadelphia I’m beginning to realize the state of the economy.  One particular school district in Charlottesville received 900 applications for 110 positions in 2011.  Our school still doesn’t have a reading teacher.  This will certainly impact my decision to stay a third year.

3.)  My relationship with Jesus Christ = I’ve been frustrated at times sharing my faith with other corps members, however something happened to me my senior year at Grove City College that I will never forget.  Frustrated by rejection from several alternate route education programs I applied to the last two on my list – TFA and MTC.  I wanted so desperately a chance to impact at-risk youth in the classroom that I prayed everyday in the chapel just for an opportunity – wherever it was.  Within a two day span I was accepted to both MTC and TFA, however my non-negotiable TFA placement would be in the Mississippi Delta.  It was such a clear sign from God that I need to pack my things and go to the delta.  I’ve been a Christian my whole life and am confident that God will lead us in our next phase of life…wherever that may be.