It’s been a little over a month since I moved to Chicago for my new position as an Academic Director in education. Y’all I already know that sentence is redundant, but everybody doesn’t know academic and education go together. Just saying. Anyway, I’m finally out of the classroom after 12 years. Not really but no more lesson plans and grading for me. Sike…………still teaching until we get fully staffed. Soooo…..it’s onto paperwork, scheduling, hiring, leading, guiding and being the support, my former Academic Director was to me and my colleagues.
Here’s to year 1 as an Administrator in education. It’s only been 12 years since I graduated with my Master’s to have a position like this. Y’all pray for your girl. I’m excited and pray God will use me to be a light to my team and the students. I really want everyone to have a good experience.
The transition to my new position has practically been seamless. There is a learning curve, but I’m not overwhelmed by it. I’m learning as I grow and am able to figure a lot of things out to ensure my team is able to focus on their job and no other details as best I can. Our first week with students was just absolutely phenomenal. I can’t really describe how amazing it was even with not being fully staffed, sick teachers out and not having some things solidified but we as a team pulled together and got things done.
I can rave about how well things are going on the job all day. To have such a pleasant experience in the beginning is such a blessing. It really is because very few places I’ve worked at throughout my adult life have given me a reason to even smile when I think about them. Honestly this is only the third place I’ve worked at that I feel this way. In twenty-one years of working (teen years don’t count) I feel this is a great place for me to learn, grow and guide others. I do miss working at the Houston campus because it was there that I found a group of teachers I enjoyed working with which led me to this opportunity.
Now on the flip side y’all, finding a place to stay, navigating the rental market here and dealing with loose ends in Houston has been exhausting and frustrating at times. I’m tired of paying these airbnb prices but it’s what I have to do for now. They give you like 24 hours to make a decision about an apartment. I can’t be rushed to sign a year lease. Not at this big age of mine. Moving here only with a job is a COMPLETE FAITH MOVE. Now I’ve moved to other states in the past with no job or place to live before. But I was young(er) when I did that. Those moves were motivated by ego, curiosity or just plain boredom.
Being 39 and obeying God today is showing me how mature I am becoming on my faith walk. I never, ever, ever, ever, ever thought about or imagined I would move to the Chicago area. Like there was no desire to be here. Yet here I am. God has a reason for me to be here. I’m not sure what it is but I came here in true obedience. God told me in January I would be leaving Houston. Nothing else was said. So, I prepared myself as best I could by making sure I got my health together, debt in control and finished ministry school.
Then I get here, and the stress has caused my skin to revert like I didn’t just spend hundreds of dollars at the dermatologist in Houston, new debt because I broke my lease to accept the job plus the move had expenses. I did finish ministry school though.
Now I’m here relying on God to lead me on this path. This path of light and righteousness. I pray that while I’m here at this job and in Chicago I can be a light to others as a reflection of God’s love.
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