What a horrible day! Back in March my boss texted me a message, inviting me to a meeting at a local restaurant. The meeting was scheduled at 7:00 am on the next school day. That was odd. As principal of a charter school, my school day didn't start until 8:30 so I had the time. But, for some reason my boss wanted me to meet her at a restaurant for an early meeting. This had never happened before. I arrived for the meeting at about ten to seven, a little ahead of schedule. I saw her car drive up as I looked through the window near the table I had picked out in the corner of the restaurant. Out of the car stepped my boss, her husband, and the Chief Financial Officer. Soon they were in the restaurant seated with me making small talk. I could already tell that this would not be a happy meeting. After a few moments, my boss got to the point. She had become aware that I had filled out a job application online with a school district in the city. It was true. I knew that in a few short months districts would be opening jobs for the following school year. I wanted to get my information in their hands so that I would be ready to interview if they called in the summer. "I've been thinking about that application," she said. "We're going to have to let you go." Thud! Just like that the shoe dropped and I was out of a job.
Just for background, I was one of the top employees at the school where I worked. I believe I can safely say that my value to the four charter schools owned by my employer was within the top two of all her employees. My contributions had changed the organization by leaps and bounds for the better. I worked well with the leadership team and was well-liked and respected by my peers, those who worked for me, and my boss. Being fired was unexpected. As a result, I have joined the thousands of Americans who are unemployed. The economy has been difficult and the job market tough. Like many others, I have not been able to find a job. Still, I keep fighting on for the sake of my family and all we own.
This blog is never meant to be a gripe session. I only give you this information so you can see where I'm coming from. I'm hoping that this blog will become an encouragement to many as I write about what I've learned in the past seven months of being unemployed. It has been quite enlightening. Sometimes this experience has been hopeful and enriching while other times it seems dark and unending. Some days I'll be happy while other days I'm overcome with fear, worry and remorse. In future blogs I hope to share this journey with you and offer what I've learned through it all. Maybe it will help someone who is on my same path and bring hope and encouragement when someone else is feeling down and out. I'm also hoping it brings me life during those tough days when I feel down. I hope you are uplifted and enjoy the adventures of an out of work American.
