New Challenges, Careers, and Friends

In March 1998, I was home from college for my grandmother's funeral the same weekend Monico proposed to me. The events of the last few weeks felt oddly familiar, as once again I received amazing news amid the extreme sorrow of the sudden passing of my cousin's little boy.
While I am not unfamiliar with being simultaneously elated and sad, out of respect to my cousin and his family, I had delayed sharing our exciting news. (No, we are not expecting.)

First, a little back-story. In June 2009, Monico walked at graduation and received recognition for a Master in Teaching from Seattle University.

(Monico and I at graduation)

I clarify this because some people I speak with are still not quite sure whether or not Monico is a teacher yet. Yes, he is. Monico is endorsed to teach History, and is "highly qualified" in Social Studies, which means he is able to teach those subjects. However, the job market has been tight and he was unable to find a teaching position prior to the start of the new school year.

Prior to starting his student teaching in March 2009, Monico was told that his placement with a high school history class fell through and there was a last-minute scramble to find him a new position only a week before he was to start. Fortuitously, a middle school teacher in another school (whom Monico had worked with previously on another school-related project) generously offered to let him take over her class to complete his student teaching. The catch: she teaches Special Education. (The subjects taught included Pacific NW History, US History, Social Skills, Language Arts and Academic Lab, and the students are high-functioning with social and behavioral disorders.) Although apprehensive at first, Monico learned a great deal and gained a love for his students, their parents (an essential relationship for Special Education Instructors), and teaching in general.

At the time of graduation, just after his student teaching concluded and the prospects of positions for History/Social Studies teachers looked grim, Monico and I discussed our future in the Seattle-area, as well as his future in teaching. At that time, we decided that it would be beneficial for Monico to continue on with his education through Seattle University and add a Special Education Endorsement to his resume.

For Monico to become a SpEd Teacher, he has to obtain 24 credits, 9 of which he has already satisfied through his Master in Teaching Program. When he met with his SU advisors in June, they told Monico that although he can get his "endorsement only", for 45 or so credits he could get another Masters degree, this time in Specialized Education (i.e. Special Education). Furthermore, because of his Mexican heritage, if he chose the Masters program, he was eligible to receive a scholarship through the Martinez Foundation. (Monico would have also qualified last year, but Seattle University and the Foundation were not working together yet.)

(Edgar and Holli Martinez, the Foundation founders)

Monico was initially hesitant to obtain a second Masters, as his immediate need was to obtain his certification/endorsement in Special Education so he could become employed again. (We are both SO OVER being a single-family-income home!!) But, near the end of September a few weeks ago, after receiving a telephone call and a meeting request from the head of the Special Education Department at Seattle University, Monico was left to reconsider that decision.

Apparently Monico had made such an impression on everyone at the middle school and SU because of his amazing work during his student teaching, someone from SU had submitted his name for consideration for a Martinez Foundation Fellowship (e.g. scholarship), and Holli Martinez contacted SU to find out why Monico had not yet formally applied for it. In short, Monico was told "agree to get the Masters, fill out the application, and the Fellowship is yours." This particular scholarship is SPECIFICALLY for a minority who is enrolled in the Masters in Specialized Education program. (The funds for this scholarship were donated by the Armendariz Family in memory of their son with special needs, Nick, who died at age 19. Coincidentally, I worked as a paralegal for the law firm that represented his parents in their guardianship petition last year. Amazing!)

Of course this left us to talk about how this would change things (more time in Seattle, more school, more debt, etc), and the benefits (he would be able to complete the essential classes pertinent to his endorsement first, and able to work just as quickly), and decided it was an amazing opportunity not to be missed.

It all happened quickly. Monico accepted the change in program from "endorsement only" to "masters" on a Friday. The following Tuesday we submitted the application for the Fellowship, Wednesday he received a call that he formally received it, and Saturday we attended the 2nd annual gala, the Foundation's major fundraiser for the year. (So quickly, in fact, Monico's profile is still not yet updated on their 2009 list... it will be soon...)

(Monico with Edgar after the Gala)

Since then, Monico has become more acquainted with Holli and Edgar (amazing people!!), and also attended a weekend "retreat" with the other 15 Graduate Fellows (his first real opportunity to get to know them). We still giggle with childlike excitement when we think about how Monico's "chauffeur" to the weekend event was Edgar himself!

We are still a little in shock about the exciting opportunity Monico has received, but are extremely excited about the new future(s) this creates for us. We are also extremely grateful to Seattle University and the Martinez Family for the extra "push" we needed!