Miss Piazza, English Teacher

I’ve put this off for a while, and I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it doesn’t entirely feel real yet. But I suppose I’ll go ahead and tell you that I’ve gotten my first full-time job as an English teacher.

More specifically, I’ll be teaching sixth through tenth grade English, as well as home economics as a high school elective, at the private Christian school I’ve been substitute teaching at for the past two years. I never thought that my life would turn out like this, but I’m not exactly disappointed. I couldn’t have picked a better school to work at, and I’m very surprised and blessed to be using both of the things I’m passionate about–writing and making things–in a single job.

My job doesn’t start until August, but I’m actually hoping to move closer to the school so I won’t have a 45-minute commute each way, every day. As you know, the housing market is absolutely insane at the moment. Teaching doesn’t pay much, and there are very few decent places in my budget. I applied for a duplex a week ago but haven’t heard anything from the landlord since. Once I get a place of my own, I will hopefully be getting a cat.

With all that said, there will likely be some changes around this blog. I might have to start posting on Saturdays, or every other week, or whenever I feel like it. Teaching is a demanding job and I anticipate that there will be a bit of a learning curve. Not to mention learning how to live on my own, without a student center a block away to provide hot meals whenever I want them. I’ll have significantly less free time and it will be a huge adjustment.

It also changes my long-term writing plans. I’m still hoping to release Where Arrows Fall this fall, but I might not move on to writing that fantasy book I’ve been thinking about. In fact–I’m not saying this for certain, but it’s a possibility–I might have to put writing on the back burner for several years. Or maybe I’ll keep writing but stop publishing. Nothing’s been decided yet, of course, and I’ll update you when I know more.

Every time I ask my mom for advice or voice my frustrations with apartment-finding, she tells me to pray and trust God. It’s getting a bit annoying, to the point that I’m probably going to stop going to her for advice. But at the same time, I know she’s right. If you could join with me in praying for a good apartment that’s 30 minutes or less from work, and also for some inner strength to get through this stressful season, that would be wonderful. And please–keep buying my books! Recommend them to your friends! Every book you buy gives me enough money to afford half a coffee, a skein of yarn (assuming I have a coupon), or a bundle of Walmart silverware for my new place. Buy ten books, and I’ll be able to afford that IKEA shelving unit I intend to turn into a pantry.

Thank you for your support, dear readers.