Job Security

I know the issue of job security is something that a lot of people are facing these days. I guess despite the economy constantly being on the news and it seems to be all people can talk about these days, I kind of thought it was just a lot of hype. I figured it only happened to people making poor choices and that it wasn't going to really affect anyone I know. Well, I have slowly being hearing talk of it happening to friends and family. My dad's cousin commuted to Connecticut everyday for over 20 years was laid off a few months ago. Stevi's husband Joe had gotten his good friend a job at the company he works at doing computer work. His friend was recently laid off, but luckily Joe was spared. Thank goodness with them being new homeowners and all. It seems like everyone is left looking over their shoulder, looking around at their co-workers, wondering who might be next.

I absolutely love where I work. I have been hearing for the past couple of months that our school might not be all that secure. With the economy, people do not want the added expense of sending their children to a private school. I heard these things, but I mostly ignored them. I wasn't hired as a leave replacement, have been giving my all, and I feel like my principal likes me. But if the enrollment isn't there, it isn't there. As of right now my school has two classes per grade, except for Kindergarten. Kindergarten only has 22 students so they made one larger class instead of two smaller classes. There are currently two first grades, but both are kind of small. But I always figured if they kept those two small first grades, they would keep them that way as they headed to 2nd. But now I am honestly not so sure. We had a grim faculty meeting yesterday. It sounds like that one Kindergarten will be 1 first grade, so where does that other teacher go? And the really bad news... we only currently have 9 kindergartners enrolled for next year, and our numbers are usually much higher than that by now. My principal basically said there is no chance for two kindergartens next year, and we'll be lucky if we have one. She also told everyone that they need to be prepared to be switched and moved around based on where there is a need for them. There will be many grade level changes. Even though no one really wants to change grades, that's the reality of where we are at.

I am so upset. I am trying not to worry, but this is bad news. I was the last hired, so as the saying goes, "last hired, first fired." Its not the money, because even though I contribute to my household we would be ok for a little bit if I couldn't work. It is my love for teaching. I love that school, love my principal, I love what I do for a living. I can't imagine doing anything else, and I can't imagine starting the job hunt again. Plus, there just isn't much out there. This job was such a surprise blessing, most of my friends didn't get to teach after graduation. There are hundreds of people who have their teaching degrees on Long Island right now that are subbing, or not working in the schools at all, because the market is just so flooded. I am reflecting and praying about all of this, I know I have been blessed to have been able to teach for one year. I have a meeting with my principal on Tuesday to discuss one of my students, so I am going to ask her to just be honest with me. I will try to get a feel on the situation and see what happens. Please pray for me about all of this, I will be so upset if I don't get asked back next year. I guess I will just have to wait and see and prepare myself for whatever is to come. I must remember my life is in God's hands and he has a plan for me.

It's just that I see my dream slipping through my fingers....