I received some news Friday: because of major budget cuts, my teaching position has been moved from full to half-time.

While I could be excited, because this gives me more time to focus on my PhD, “half-time” means “half-pay,” and “half-pay” will not pay the bills.

My initial reaction to this news was – let’s just say – not pleasant. I began writing this entry on Friday, but decided I needed to put things into perspective before I published it. Here is Friday’s work:

Three months ago, I was told that I had nothing to worry about – that I’d be “taken care of.” Three months ago, I was lied to.

Let me back up: the economy is bad, which directly affects the educational system. We, the teachers of Clarke County, were informed that many “changes” were coming. Those “changes” turned out to be major cuts to every program. 

Being my first year in Clarke County, which proposed a system of seniority as the basis of the “changes,” I expected to be at the bottom of the list. That is, until I was told I had “nothing to worry about.”

So, I became hopeful. I told my husband, mother and friends that, while our district is in hot water, I will not drown with it. Just in case, though, I made plans for the future – I applied to a few teaching positions within acceptable driving distance, and a few administrative positions at UGA. Thank goodness.

Today, I had a visit from the Grimm Reaper telling me my position has been cut in half and I will be moved to Clarke Central. I am perfectly fine with the move – Central is a great school. However, how can I take care of myself and my family on half of what I currently make? This will not do.

I stopped writing because I felt like the entry was turning into a vent session, and that is not what I set out to do. I know God is in control – and with an acceptance into a fifth-in-the-nation PhD program (that should guarantee me a job in curriculum development and/or a university teaching position), maybe he is telling me something.

I have already discussed the “nagging sense” tugging at the back of my mind, telling me I should be doing something else than, or in addition to, teaching. Things are falling into place to make that happen. Even if I accept the offer, and teach half-time, I know I will find a way to make it. Thankfully, God is in control, not I.

Goodbye Friday’s disappointment. Hello Monday’s hopefulness.

JJ