God is Pretty Amazing....

I really don't believe in coincidences much anymore, however, I do believe in Divine Intervention. There are just too many "coincidences" that are Divinely appointed in my life to think it was all a cosmic happening or something of the sort. Carson being the biggest, greatest example of God's timing in our lives....just the whole process of events that led up to his birth, the gift his birth mother provided us in blessing us with him, and even his autism diagnosis. All are uniquely Divine in timing, and what leads me to where I am. When I decided to go back to work this year as a substitute teacher, I went back believing that I would pick and choose when and where I worked. I would have the flexibility to stay home if I wanted to even......then I subbed in a special ed class last fall. One day, I was hooked...seriously one day in this classroom of 5 and 6 year old boys, with moderate to severe autism. Then I was asked to fill in long-term while the teacher is on maternity leave, and have been doing it since the beginning of this year. The difference in what I was doing as a sub, and what I am doing now...is drastic. When I subbed, I was in the class with the younger boys, now that I am subbing for the teacher, I am in an inclusion (general education) class with 24 third graders. Two of which, are diagnosed with moderate autism. My job is to accomodate these two boys, so that their educational goals are met, while the gen ed teacher, teaches the rest of the class. More often than not I am repeating the same thing 85 million times, answering the same question, and reminding the boys, to have calm hands and quiet mouths. I never in a million years pictured myself going back to teaching.... I haven't taught elementary level since 1991.... a looong time ago, and something, that while I enjoyed it, I didn't feel called to it...if you know what I mean.

Tonight, I went to an informational meeting at Mary Washington University Graduate School, on teacher licensing. I was expecting to go to this meeting and be told that I needed to take umpteen courses to get my Masters of Education degree in Special Ed, emphasis on autism. Since I already have a Masters of Science degree......all I have to take is one class. ONE CLASS! and I will be able to teach this Fall! It will be a provisional, meaning that I have three years to complete the 15 hours needed to get my Masters of Ed degree. This is seriously a no brainer for me....I can take this one class this summer, at night and teach this Fall. I was told tonight, that I would almost be guaranteed a teaching position, and that they are desperate for Special Ed teachers! How is this Divine? I was never going to get back in the classroom. I never figured I would love special ed.....not just enjoy it, but love it. I truly believe that God knew that so long ago, and lined everything up so that when the desire was kindled in me...it would all fall into place.