Holy Spectrum of Emotions, Batman!

I was discouraged as could be. I’d interviewed for jobs eight times in a one year’s span, and not been offered any of the eight positions. I was frustrated as could be.

I don’t know why I thought of this Japanese proverb/Dwayne Wade commercial, “Fall down seven times, get up eight,” but I did.  I knew that with persistence I would eventually be told that, ‘Mr. Ewald, we would like to offer you the job.’ And then it happened. On the evening of my ninth interview, I got a phone call offering me a job. Holy spectrum of emotions, Batman!

I was proud of myself. I was proud that I never quit looking for jobs. I was proud that I will be signing my first principal contract before I turn 29 years old.

I was happy. This is what I’d wanted since I was an undergraduate at the University of Iowa, to be an elementary principal. I wanted to be east of Des Moines, check. I wanted to be along a major highway, check. I wanted to be in a bigger city (Iowa standards) or right next to one, check. This position fits the criteria that I was looking for.

I was relieved. I don’t have to look for jobs anymore. Looking for jobs is an exciting process and there are lots of highs involved, but there are a lot of lows and there is a lot of waiting. It is an exhausting, grueling process.

I am nervous. Now is when the work actually begins. Ultimately, I am responsible for the almost 300 students that my school is responsible for educating. I will have to lead my entire staff to make sure that student learning is maximized on a daily basis.

I am scared to death for my family’s sake. What have I done to Amy and Ryne? Amy has been absolutely wonderful throughout this whole process, but I have not made her life any easier in the present. Now I am putting her through the job seeking process; fortunately, she has experience in the jobs she will seek. I am committed to doing whatever I can to assist her in finding employment. On top of that, it is because of me that we will have to take Ryne away from our daycare provider, Sharon – someone whom we love and trust entirely, to find some place brand new.

I am sad. I wanted the administrative openings that I interviewed for in Davenport this spring more than anyone will ever now. For whatever reasons that did not work out. Everything happens for a reason. Nonetheless, this is sad. The Quad Cities has been home to me for six years, it has been home to Amy for much longer than that, and it has been Ryne’s only home. I was nervous about Sharon’s reaction when I had to break her the news, I should have been worried about my own reaction – my eyes were definitely watering. It will not be easy to leave all of our family, friends, and memories in the Quad Cities.

I am excited. Along with the two people that I love the most, we are starting a brand new adventure for our family. This will bring a lot of new and exciting possibilities. Plus, we will only be a little over an hour from the Quad Cities. We will be only 10 to 20 (depending on where you are going) minutes from Iowa City.

And I even feel pressure. Pressure that is entirely put on myself by myself. That isn’t a bad thing, though; it holds me accountable. It ensures that I will be successful at/with this. I have no other option. I’m asking too much of my wife and son for this not to work. I know it will work. I took this job after considering my family’s best interest. I would have never taken this job if I did not think that it would benefit my family.

The journey continues…to Riverside, Iowa!