I moved from Boise, ID., to Virginia five years ago with my husband and three children. My husband was a native of Boise, and I had lived there more than 20 years. Our kids were born there. In other words, we expected to live and die there quite happily. Life had other plans. The economy tanked, and my husband's Boise-based company sent him to Virginia. I had been a journalist in Boise, but was unable to find a similar job unless I was willing to drive two hours one way into Washington, D.C. I wasn't. Instead, I worked as a substitute teacher in my children's nearby schools, liked it, earned my teaching license and taught school, first part-time helping English learners and then full time teaching language arts in a middle school. I love writing, and I love reading memoirs, fiction and poetry. Recently, I dicovered the joys of tea-drinking. My current passion is blogging and writing a book about my first full year as a teacher - a year of sorrows and grace, a year of difficulties for which I was wholly unprepared. I hope my story helps educate other would-be teachers about the possible pitfalls, and the unparalled joys, of a job I consider more of a "calling," a priviliege, a chance to make a lasting difference in the lives of children.