It was hearing that message on the recorder one summer day that made my adrenaline begin running.  As my mom listened to the recorder as part of her daily rituals, there was this message on the recorder, “This message is for Tiffanie.  Please have her call Sandy Kremer at South Umpqua School District.”  My mom gave me the message, so I could quickly return the call.  I wasn’t too excited as I was sure it was going to be one of those dreadful messages that said, “Sorry, to inform you, but we have offered the job to another applicant.  If they decline we will be calling you.” 

I picked up the phone and dialed the number with guarded anticipation.  The energetic friendly voice on the other end said, “Hi, this is Sandy Kremer.  Jim Sheldahl at Myrtle Creek Elementary wanted me to call you.  We have an unfortunate circumstance as one of our teachers has passed away.  Therefore, we have a job opening and he wanted me to offer it to you first.” 

Almost speechless, I stuttered and stammered searching for words to say.  I expressed my condolences, replying, “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.  Yes, I would be delighted to work at Myrtle Creek Elementary.”  My mother was coaching me from the recliner.  She told me to ask, “What grade level?”  I was so excited and that was the least thing I cared about.  I had just been hired to teach! 

A dream had just become reality.  I had just graduated from college in June, had my 22nd birthday, and was hired the middle of July.  I was also hired to teach third grade the grade in which I had completed my student teaching and felt the most confident.  Everything was looking up, except for one thing.  How was I going to handle the dreaded situation of facing the staff and students when one of their beloveds had passed on? 

Wow!  Opening the door and realizing at that point the room had not been touched since... 

It became my decision to decide if I was going to change the room or leave it the way that I had inherited it.  The first thing I noticed was the teaching certificate in a frame sitting on the desk.  Then, I noticed that the desk drawers were even still filled with her personal family pictures.  After longing and wondering, I made the decision.  I had decided to make the room, my room.

As I was changing the appearance of my room, students began dropping in and sharing their memories of this teacher that had passed away unexpectedly over the summer from complications following a hip replacement.  I completely cleared all of the walls and windows, removing all posters and decorative trims.  I replaced these items with new, vibrant, colorful bulletin boards with a brand new theme of Disney characters.

Before leaving for the day, standing in my room and looking around I knew that I had done the right thing by changing the room‘s appearance completely!      

When school began, the staff was eager to meet and greet me, as I was the new kid on the block.  They wondered how I had the room set-up and planned to start my first year as a third grade teacher.  I decided right away that Myrtle Creek Elementary felt like home.  I had inherited many fathers and mothers as my first year teaching journey began.  My principal even took my picture opening my classroom door on the first day of school.  My teaching career had began and it seemed as if I was working in a wonderful school that I wouldn’t ever want to give up and that is the case to this day!