Life in England: Roads to Success

Sunday, 24 February 2013

Roads to Success

After our snowy trip to America, Lee and I arrived back in England to moderate, spring-like weather. In the month to follow, we did manage to see about a centimetre of snow on the ground, which caused a two-hour standstill traffic jam and me to be late to work. Even though the roads were completely clear and not icy at all, the cars were not moving. I have so much respect for the driving skills of the resilient people in the Ohio Snow Belt.

While we were back in Ohio, I was so grateful to visit with my friends and family. I wish we had a little more time to stay and see more people, but we had to get back to work. It was wonderful to see and do Ohio-things such as go to a high school basketball game, see the Lake Erie Monsters play ice hockey, tour the Columbus Zoo, and go sled riding with my little cousins. The best feeling was meeting up with people who I haven't seen in over a year (or more) and sharing in conversation with them as if no time had passed at all. Not everything was picture-perfect because a lot of changes have happened in my family since I've been away. My grandpa passed away in September, so a binding member was gone and things felt a bit fragmented. A few relationships have become quite volatile, and some completely disjointed, in my family which was a bit surprising to me and made me quite disheartened. My wish is that in a couple of years when Lee and I return for another Christmas in America, everyone will get along and the 'happy holidays' can be celebrated as they were when I was little.

Travelling back to England, Lee was looking forward to starting back to work at Wyzowl since the company moved to a bigger office very close to the ocean. He is still located in Southport, but now he takes a bus to work for a half hour instead of walking a half hour to get to the office. With all of the uncertainty that came with switching jobs back in September, we are both really glad that Lee made the change to the new company (which has added five new employees in the past four months).

Besides being a teaching assistant, I have been working towards becoming a certified UK teacher. After many attempts through international agencies--from which any offers would seem improbable to accept seeing as Lee has such a great job now in Southport--and searches for openings in private schools in this Merseyside/Lancashire area, I started to see my dream of becoming a teacher dwindle. But, last summer, a law was passed to give immigrants who want to be teachers an easier way into teaching in the UK besides going back to university. This path entails filling out a portfolio, writing essays, and submitting documents to prove my skills as a licensed teacher in the US. I submitted this portfolio a couple of weeks ago and will hear back from the agency in April. Let's keep our fingers crossed because...

On February 14, I applied for a teaching position in the school where I work currently and I got the job! I burst into tears of relief and joy when the head teacher offered me the position. I've waited three years since graduation to have a class of my own. It's finally happened and I am still elated from the news. This job is just temporary until the end of July and I will be part-time, teaching year three and four students on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday mornings. With this arrangement, I think the transition to the UK educational system will be perfect for my situation. I've spent a year and a half observing the teacher with whom I assist, but I'm sure there will a bit more to learn by way of paperwork. I am so thankful that this school first gave me a job and now is giving me the chance to finally be a teacher.

If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.

Here are some photos from our trip to Ohio. Enjoy!

This is a view of the Christmas light display at the Columbus Zoo. A very cold, wintry trip, but well worth the fantastic day out! Enjoy the photos of our favourite moments of the day.