Page 44 of How We Fooled

“Nice to meet you too. Please, call me Susan. Have a seat.”

We talk for over an hour about anything and everything. It’s not even all about my schooling or teaching in general. We just talk, getting to know each other. It’s the best interview I’ve ever been on only because it doesn’t feel like an interview at all.

“So, as you can tell, I like to get to know you as a person more than anything during these interviews,” she says when there’s a break in our conversation. “Teaching has two aspects—the technical side and the personal side. The technical side can be taught and guided. The personal side can’t. You either have the social skills or you don’t. To teach, you need to be able to reach the kids on a personal level. I can tell you have that.”

A huge smile grows across my face now that I understand what was really going on. Here I thought, we were just lost in conversation, and this entire time, she was judging just how well I could converse, especially with a stranger.

She continues, “I’d love to offer you a position here at Leighton River. I have two openings and two candidates. The more we sat here and talked, the more I thought you would be great for our high school position, whereas the other candidate fit well for the elementary position.”

My eyes open wide. “High school?”

I guess I never really thought about teaching the older grades. I kind of saw myself as a second or third grade teacher, but I’m not opposed to the idea.

“We have an Econ teacher who is retiring. He has a great curriculum that he’s willing to pass on to the new teacher, so really, we just needed someone who could connect with the kids, and I really think that could be you.”

Excitement rushes through my body, but I try to contain it so I don’t look like a fool, wanting to get up and jump for joy.

I love that not only is she hiring me, but she also believes I can help these kids. That’s why I want to be a teacher. If I can help just one life, then it’s all worth it. I think about some of the kids I went to high school with and how there were some kids who shone and some who got lost in the noise.

I want to silence that noise.

I know people have different struggles here than they do in Stockton, especially when it comes to socioeconomic stuff, but teenage issues are the same wherever you go, and, yeah, I think I can connect with them because I’m not too far removed from that world. I know what it is to grow up with social media and everything being shared with the click of a button. I remember my teachers not understanding that because they didn’t live it.

I did.

The thought fills me with hope.

“I never really thought about high school, but, yeah, I’m liking that idea.”

She claps her hands together once with a big grin. “Fantastic. I’ll set up a time for you to work with Mr. Shaw, the teacher who is retiring. We still have a few weeks before school starts, so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare, and he said he’d be available to you anytime throughout the year if you needed it.”

“Great!”

“So, you accept?” she asks with a laugh, which makes me laugh too.

“Yes, I accept!”

“Glad to hear.” She stands. “Let’s get over to HR and get you all set up.”

I follow her in absolute glee. I can’t believe I’m going to actually be a teacher!

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Liza

As soon as I get in the car, I send Eli a text.

Have you landed yet?!

I stare at the phone, waiting for it to say Delivered. When it never does, I slump in my seat, wishing I could tell him the good news before anyone else. It only bums me for a second, and then I remember I can call my mom, who will be just as excited as I am.

She answers on the first ring. “There you are! I’ve been dying to know how it went!”

I laugh at the way she answers the phone as I yell, “I got the job!”

“Oh, baby! I’m so happy for you! I knew you would. What grade are you going to teach?”

“High school,” I state, waiting for her to be as surprised as I am.

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