Yee Haw!!

I had the phone interview for down south at 10:00. I learned that it's a co-teaching position in an elementary school teaching both general education kids as well as a small group of children with hearing impairments. I felt really good about the interview. It lasted until 11:05.

At 11:25, they called my principal as a reference. She confided in me that she gave me rave reviews and revealed that they thought "I was too good to be true". Honestly that response sounded too good to be true.

By 2:00, they had offered me the position!!!

Hello, South, HERE WE COME!!

Job Mob

I'm back from the meat market. I mean, teacher job fair. And I've come to a few conclusions:

1. It never hurts to get somewhere an hour and a half early.
2. Cutting back on liquids will eliminate bathroom breaks and maximize time spent with potential employers.
3. The booths representing Michigan schools had lines a mile long full of teachers wanting face time. I'm pretty sure that for every single student in Michigan, there is a qualified, certified teacher!
4. Some districts from out of state were ready to give out contracts and hire on the spot! Apparently the prospective teachers weren't the only desperate ones. Poor Alaska and Arizona!

But back to how things went for me. I had encouraging talks with districts in Virginia, Maryland and the west side of Michigan. I had very encouraging talks with two districts in Texas. I'm not sure what it all means or where it will all lead (if anywhere). But I can't wait to find out!

Looking Ahead

I've been spending a lot of time thinking about the future. We're moving to the other side of the state this summer, which means job hunting and house dreaming/hunting. Of course, it will be apartment living once more if I can't find another teaching job. This is a definite possibility in a city that is so over-flooded with teachers that even the substitutes and the paraprofessionals/aides all have their teaching certificates.

I spend my planning time compulsively checking remax.com and craigslist for places to live, and school district websites for places to work. The problem is, to get most jobs you have to know someone. I do know someone, but I don't know if there will be any positions there in the fall.

It's a bleak picture, but I'm trying not to give up faith!

Also? Four more weeks until Spring Break!!!!

Unpatriotic Traitor

Yep, that's how I'm feeling today....

Unpatriotic: We didn't go to any picnics or barbecues today for Memorial Day. Instead, we walked all over the historic section of downtown and found a "hole in the wall" Chinese place. Max said: "I'll bet that place is authentic". Sure enough, we were the only white people inside, and English was not the only language spoken. Hamburgers? Forget it! Bring on the Moo Goo Gai Pan!!

Traitor: Despite numerous protests to my colleagues assuring them that I will still be there this fall, I've started looking into other employment opportunities for next school year. They are saying that gas is going to hit five or six dollars a gallon in the fall, and the thought of the thousands of dollars wasted on my 110 mile round-trip daily commute is pretty sickening. And let's face it, this latest stint in my career has been less than satisfying for many different reasons.

I ended up applying for a Title 1 Curriculum Support Teacher at a school that is literally 1.3 miles away from home. ONE POINT THREE! I really hesitated in even searching for other jobs, because we're only planning on being here for one more year (long enough for Max to finish his masters'), but this job will only last one year! (Title 1 funding is special that way).

But, anyhow, I feel like a complete traitor for even thinking about leaving--the special education department has plenty of issues without adding another new staff member next year. So I really don't know how to feel about the whole thing. I am terrified this new school is going to call me for an interview. I am terrified that they won't.

Lots of prayer to follow....

My Worst Nightmare

Back in June, when I left the perfect job in California, if you had asked me what my worst nightmare was in regards to teaching in Michigan, I would have said:

1. Teaching in a resource room
2. Starting late in the school year
3. Commuting

Today, I got a job that makes all three true and I could not be more excited!! After months of putting out dozens and dozens and dozens of applications, and lowering my expectations so far as to apply to "Dominoes", this job is a welcome blessing. It's a different role for me, but it will be good to diversify my resume. It also happens to be in a school about an hour away from here, and that bites, but I'm willing to overlook it! (If my mother-in-law can make that commute, why can't I?)

Anyways, thank you all for your prayers and the happy thoughts you sent my way... I start on Monday! Woo Hoo!

Extreme Makeover: Resume Edition

As you all know, I've been searching high and low for all kinds of jobs that I consider myself "qualified" to do. In my mind, I'm like: "I can do that!", or "I can learn to do that!". Then I attach my resume, and I feel a moment of panic because my resume means nothing unless submitted to some kind of job in education. Here's a two sentence summary of my two page resume:

I taught these kids. Then, I taught these kids.

Most jobs I've applied for are receptionist/administrative assistant types of jobs. Suddenly all of my teaching skills mean "team player", "organized", "multi-tasking", "efficient time management", "strong communicator". They probably can see right through that and realize that's all bunk, and that is why I am still unemployed.

Cleaning Cat Snot is Not a Real Job

So far today, I've applied to be an appointment setter, an office manager to a travel agency, an academic placement assistant at the local community college, and a senior center care giver.

Now it's time to go make dinner...

"The Exciting Conclusion"

Well, after agonizing for two days over "should I/shouldn't I"? I decided to put the ball in their court. I was willing to take the job if they were willing to be flexible with my wage or throwing in added benefits. They were not flexible; I didn't take the job.

Although I'm relieved about the whole situation, I am also worried that nothing else will come up. I have my application out there for four different teaching positions (somehow still open for this fall), and four different office manager/administrative assistant jobs. I have to cast my net far and wide! Hopefully someone will bite soon!

Remember When I Was a Real Teacher?

I didn't get the job at the daycare center. They opted for someone with an early childhood credential. They offered me a part time position (32 hours a week). My responsibilities would be feeding the kids lunch and cleaning up, supervising nap time, and supervising recess time. Basically, a job that anyone with half a brain could do. Oh, and there are no benefits. The lady said she needed an answer by Wednesday afternoon. I still don't know what to do. Part of me just wants to give up and settle. The other part of me is insulted and is furiously praying for a miracle and poring over the classifieds.... again.

Tune in later for the exciting conclusion!

Interview Review

The interview itself went well. Later that day, I was asked to tour the center, the classroom in question, and the other two teachers in that classroom (it's three teachers to 20-24 preschoolers per classroom). The center was a brand new building, a beautiful, state-of-the-art center with every kind of equipment imaginable catered to young children. The kids were sweet; the teachers were kind and professional. So why did I feel so uncomfortable? First, it's not what I'm used to. Second, my heart is just not in it.

The director said they'd let me know by the end of the week. If they offer me the job, I will take it, and pray that I'll LOVE it. There are equally as many downsides to this job as upsides. But I'm determined to be thankful for what the Lord provides. I will be thankful. I will. I will.

Yet Another Post About the Job Hunt

... are you as sick of it as I am?

As it turns out, I didn't get the job I last posted about (the one with the family connection? remember?). But I did get called back to interview at the elementary school down the road (ironically the same one my husband went to as a child!). That was on Wednesday, and that went well. They tried to make it difficult, however, by asking me to critique a taped kindergarten writing lesson, and by asking me to design a lesson plan based on a benchmark that they provided. I felt good about all of the answers I gave, and they told me they would let me know by Monday (tomorrow). So..... I wait again.

In the meantime, there have been some fun distractions: Max's grandparents from Alabama visited with us, and my sister-in-law is back from Japan! And, as always, our three cats keep me occupied ;).

Another Chance

So that middle school resource room I talked about in my previous post? I don't think I got it, because they haven't called me yet and they said they were going to make a decision "very quickly". This rejection makes me feel totally relieved.

It also makes me feel like the elementary resource room position that I'm interviewing for tomorrow is much LESS of a scary prospect. Also in my favor? The principal who called me to set up the interview is a friend of my husband's family (at least, I THINK that's in my favor!-ha ha). She called on Friday, and it's a good thing that I had the weekend to prepare for my interview because she specifically asked for my portfolio. And I haven't updated my portfolio since 2003, before I even held a real teaching job or ANYTHING! So I've been busy trying to make myself look good on paper :). We'll see how I did tomorrow!

Desperate Times...

When I was in college, I had three different student teaching semesters as part of my program of study. The first one was in a resource room, and I decided then and there that I would NEVER do resource room because I really hated it. Well guess what? I just interviewed for a resource room position. Not only is it a resource room position, but it's a MIDDLE SCHOOL resource room position. Just shoot me now, will you?

The fact is, I'm terrified of getting this job, and I'm terrified of NOT getting this job. I officially have no more interviews lined up.

Square One

Well, I didn't get the job. I just found out on Saturday when I was still in New York. The lady said that I was "phenomenal" at the interview, but they decided to go with another candidate who had done some long-term subbing for them. Oddly, this news wasn't surprising to me, and I didn't feel disappointed about losing this specific job--I felt more disappointment about being back at square one. I just keep thinking that maybe this was the Lord protecting me from a bad team-teaching situation. I'm choosing to believe that there is something better out there for me, and I just need to wait and be patient for it... So thanks for your prayers!

In other, more happy, news, my little sister is officially a Mrs.!! We just got back from New York last night... The wedding was beautiful, the food delicious, the company pleasant. We had a great time!

Can't Wait Until the Wait is Over!

Yesterday I had my interview for the oral deaf program. I was really nervous! The interview lasted about an hour, and I think I did well. I'm happy with my answers. They said they would interview four or five more people today, and then there might be a second round of interviews next Monday (but maybe not, they weren't sure). Either way, they will let me know their decision within the next seven to ten days! I'm anxious to find out...

I found out a little more about the position while at the interview... it's a 4th/5th grade combined classroom with TWO teachers. So, if hired, I would be team teaching with another person. That could be fantastic, or it could be awful, depending on how well I would get along with the other teacher. We'll have to see what happens. Thanks for praying, everybody!

Send Me Your Prayers and Happy Thoughts

You know that teaching job that I was REALLY hoping to get? The director of the program called me yesterday, and I'll be interviewing on Monday (in two days!)!! Yes!!!!!

Uncontrollable Hope

Back in early June, I interviewed for the only job opening in the oral deaf field in the entire state. It was for a middle school position, and I wanted to teach within my specialized field so badly that I convinced myself that I wouldn't mind teaching middle school. I did a great job at the interview over the phone (if I do say so myself), but when I found out that I didn't get the job, I didn't know whether I should cry from relief or disappointment. It takes a special person to teach middle school. I am not that person.

Since this hoopla has ended, I have made my peace with the thought of using one of my other credentials as a teacher (mental impairment or elementary general ed). I currently have over twenty applications out there... But this past week, I stumbled across another job opening in the oral deaf field (Kindergarten or preschool, not sure which)--this was big news, as there are only five oral deaf programs in this entire state (which is fortunate; some states have none), and two of them are way too far for a commute. This particular opening is in the perfect location. I sent all of my materials via express mail to meet the deadline, and emailed the director of the program. I told myself to breathe, and not get my hopes too high, but it was too late. As soon as I saw the posting, my hopes were HIGH. Higher than the clouds above.... there was no controlling it. You can't tell hopes to be realistic and to come down a little. Hopes won't listen to reason.

I thought that I had made my peace with teaching other types of kids (as opposed to deaf ones) but I suppose that this job posting has revealed my true desires. The deadline closes tomorrow afternoon, and I am HOPING and PRAYING that I get a call to interview this week. I know that the Lord is in control of everything... and I try to cling to that in the face of all of my anxiety and anticipation!

Application Woes

I am still looking for a teaching job in Michigan. Today, I filled out my 1,503rd online application. Each application is slightly different than the last. I'm beginning to think that California had the right idea with "EdJoin"--submit one application for all districts in the state! To annoy me even further, many of these applications I've been cranking out are asking for ridiculous information in the form of essay questions. And they don't ask for one essay question per application, they'll typically ask you about twelve questions. For two districts, I even had to fill out a type of "teacher personality/style" survey (timed! multiple choice!). Furthermore, even the little questions that I often encounter can be SO nit picky. Example: High school GPA (who remembers?), or University Student Teaching Supervisor's phone number, or Name of Your Ninth Grade History Teacher, or Principal's Social Security Number... To make matters even more frustrating, I have to upload all kinds of attachments to each application--and with the slooooow connection out here, it takes seven minutes PER upload!

I'll be SOOO glad once this is all over!

Job Hunt/Haunt

I'm having recurring nightmares. In these nightmares, I've been hired as a special ed teacher a month into the school year. Nothing is prepared. There are usually between forty and fifty kids, spanning four grade levels, who all need my individual attention. Since there is nothing planned, I fly by the seat of my pants. Oh, and the aide they give me is incompetent.

It's usually a relief to wake up...

Next Job, Please

Well.... I didn't get the job. It was VERY considerate of them to tell me today instead of making me wait for three weeks as they had originally indicated. They decided to go with two people they knew, even though I was an "outstanding candidate" and it was a "very difficult decision".

This new development means that next year I will not be a teacher of the deaf/hard-of-hearing. Although I know that the Lord has a plan in all of this, it still does funny things in my mind to think of myself teaching any other population. For some reason, I was pretty convinced it was my destiny. My only other options are general ed, or a different branch of special ed. Or not teach at all (YIKES!). I'm really looking forward to see how the Lord will provide in this situation.... I just need to be patient (ha!).