Interview Adventure (Long Post)

I've been on the ultimate emotional roller coaster, and to the edge of Texas and back.

I had a sub job on Wednesday, the teacher I am long term subbing for had a doctor's appointment. I left school, and went back to my apartment expecting a call from a school in Houston. We had scheduled a phone interview since I had to sub that day and they needed teachers. I thought I fumbled my words too much, and was on conference with lots of people. But they called me back and said, "Well we've decided we like you. Would you like to come in tomorrow and teach a 30 minute lesson to 3rd graders on the Comprehension strategy of your choice?" So I said, "YES!"

I called my mom to let her know the news and we thought I would go alone. I quickly changed my mind and decided I wanted her to take me so I could prepare for my lesson in the car, plus I am 1,000 miles past my need for an oil change (whoops).

I was frantically packing my clothes, and trying to get a hold of my mentor teacher. Finally got a hold of her, so we chatted and I headed back to school. She gave me a great lesson idea, and let me borrow 16 books for it! Hooray! I have been so blessed to have that woman in my life! Interesting twist happens while we were planning my lesson. I got a call from an old friend from high school. She was a senior when I was a freshman and had already established herself as a teacher, and I thought she was responding to my plea for help on a lesson I put on facebook. She actually wanted me to come out to the charter school where she works for an interview... In Georgetown! Yeah, okay I'll just swing by there on my way back. no big deal.

Got back to my apartment, my mom was almost there. I finished packing, we had a quick dinner, and left for Houston around 7:30PM. We arrived to our hotel in downtown at midnight. The reason we stayed in downtown was because I thought I had to go to Houston ISD HR to do some sort of test and video thing the principal told me about. Luckily, I checked my e-mail early that morning, and he had told me that HR was booked for the morning and to go teach the lesson first. It was nice to sleep a couple extra hours in our hotel that we had just arrived at. I woke up and prepared for my lesson some more.

PS We had to pay $9.95 to use the internet in our hotel for 24 hours. LAME. What is extra lame, is that I went to the business center to print out a copy of my lesson for the principal to look over as I taught, and that cost $9.50 to use the computer and print out 3 pages! Can you say, "Rip Off!"

Mom and I headed to the school to check out the area. This is when things started looking shady.The school itself looked like a nice facility. However: 1.) There was a 12+ foot fence wrapped around the teacher parking lot. 2.) We counted about 7 sad looking, starved, stray dogs walking around the area. 3.) There were bars on all of the glass windows and doors of the houses and businesses in the area. 4.) The safest looking place to pee was in a McDonalds 5.) Everyone was speaking spanish in McDonalds. . . The list went on and on. I don't even think there was an area for the kids to have recess because the area was so unsafe. Not somewhere I want to be if I'm teaching and have to come home late.

I went into the school. It was nice. Everyone in the office was talking in spanish.. I don't know spanish.. I met the principal. A REALLY nice guy. He has been very persistent with e-mailing me and a really cool dude. On our way to the classroom I was going to teach in, he got onto some kids for talking in the hallway. I didn't like how he handled it.

I walked into the 3rd grade class, he introduced me to them all, and as I set up my area, he played a trivia game with them. He was asking them questions like, "What continent do we live on? What Country do we live in? What city do we live in? What state do we live in?" They didn't know the answers to these questions! They are in 3rd grade!!!! My kindergarteners know that our state is Texas and the city they live in is Frisco.

So I taught my lesson and totally rocked it. They didn't know what the word, "text" meant. They didn't know what velcro was. I had to find a kid in the group who had velcro on his shoes, and show them what velcro was. They were respectful and listened to my book and my lesson, and actually completed the activity I asked of them to do. (Read a book with your partner and find a connection you feel in the book. Write it on a post-it and share). They were really excited about the post-it notes... The kids were super sweet and I think they liked me....

I did my lesson within 30 minutes so my time management was good and I think I actually taught them some stuff! I left the school and the principal told me to watch my e-mail. This is where my emotional melt down began. I was afraid he was going to OFFER me the job. I realized that I didn't want to start my first year teaching in that school, in that area. I started stressing out. I have been dying for a teaching job all summer and here I was hoping he wouldn't offer it to me. What would people think of me? I didn't want anyone to think I was a snob for not wanting to teach in an inner city school my first year. I just felt intimidated and didn't feel like I would be an adequate teacher my first year for those kids. My mom and I were waiting around for his e-mail and just decided to head to Austin to explore my options there.

Of course he called me 5 minutes after our decision to head to Austin, asking for some references. I gave them to him and informed him I was on my way to Austin for another interview. He said, "oh okay, well if you don't take a job there, do you think you could come back tomorrow?"

I was in tears for most of our drive to Austin. Talking on the phone to my mentor, talking to Jager, talking to my mom. I was so torn and just didn't want to be a grown up right then. So I cried. I was thinking of my kids at Frisco that I would be leaving, and the wonderful team and support that I would be giving up. Taking that job would be like jumping into the ocean without knowing how to swim, and staying in Frisco would be like jumping into a pool with floaties on. Which was more appealing? Frisco, duh! But then again, this was also a $40,000 decision. My mentor called me and told me he had contacted her and told her he wanted me but wanted to hear her recommendation. She gave me rave reviews and he told her he wanted me.

10 minutes before arriving at our Georgetown destination, he called me and offered me the job, but understood if I wanted to take a job in Austin. Thank goodness I told him I was going to Austin!

We decided I just needed to chill out, fix my make-up and concentrate on this Austin interview. We rolled into Georgetown country and this charter school was in portable buildings. I interviewed with the 2 fourth grade teachers and the principal. I would have a lot of freedom in this job. The people were nice, and it would be 4th grade self-contained. I love 4th grade. Oh! and I would only have 18 kids in my class. They were asking me how quick I could relocate, and according to my friend who got me the interview, I am the only person they have interviewed for the job so far. I haven't been offered a job there as of today.

When all is said and done, my gut was just telling me that I need to stay in Frisco this semester and take it easy this year. I will be happy and that is what's most important. Who knows, I may find a job at a school I feel is a good fit for me in the middle of the year. So the principal e-mailed me asking if I would take it so he could plan for a different teacher to be in there by Monday. I turned it down, and was able to sleep at night.

We stayed the night in Austin last night and completed our tour of Texas today on our way home. I look forward to going to my Frisco school on Monday to observe my class and not get paid.

Today was the first day of inservice at many schools. Where was I? I was working at a childcare center from 6:30AM-2:45PM wanting to pull my hair out as 20 5 year olds ran wild in my classroom. It is transition week, so the Pre-K kids are moving up to the kindergarten room. I love kindergarten, but I have heard from several teachers from the preschool that this class moving up is something else.

Oh well, I am trying not to worry too much about it because I will not be their teacher! Friday is my last day. It's only Tuesday???

Yesterday I had an interview at Ashley Elementary where I did my student teaching. It was me at the head of the table, the principal and assistant principal on either side of me, and the counselor and 2nd grade teacher sitting next to them. It was a quick 25 minute interview. I dressed to impress with a new Merona dress from Target, panty hose, and heels. There are still no openings at the school, but their numbers keep rising. Apparently there are also teachers that are already on contract that the district is having to place in schools, so even if there is an opening, it might have to go to someone else by default.

At this point, it's going to take a miracle to get me in my own classroom. I did e-mail some schools yesterday because some new job postings were on the district websites.

Of course, the positions have already been filled, so take it off the website!

I am disappointed that I wasn't at inservice today and I haven't been able to put a classroom together (or get my first salaried pay check like some of my friends have received) but I have started to feel "at peace" with my long-term sub assignment. It will be a great opportunity to learn more and gain awesome experience.

I am also excited to be getting a couple of days off of working. My summer job was supposed to be a low stress, flexible situation and it has been very stressful and very exhausting. I was jipped of a teacher summer break!

Meet the teacher night is on Friday.

Job Stuff

I haven't updated about the job situation in awhile...

Well since I was offered the long-term sub position, I have still been actively searching for a permanent position. I had a spur of the moment interview in The Woodlands, TX last week, and have not heard back from them... so I am assuming I did not get the job...

I've had many friends find jobs, and many that still don't have one.

The other day I just accepted it in my head that I was going to be subbing the whole semester and then would have to see what happens in Spring.... Everything is in God's hands so we will see what happens.

I went to Ashley Elementary yesterday for a meeting with the fourth grade team. It was just like old times sitting in my old mentor's room sitting in on planning! I just love that school.. it's gorgeous and the teachers are fantastic.

Today I went to Ashley to help the Kindergarten team do assessments on the students coming up to kindergarten next year. Simple things like knowing all 52 letters (upper/lower case), letter-sounds, counting to 25, blending, etc. etc. It was great to do some kinder stuff today! Again, it was just like old times working with the old kinder team!!!

At this point in the summer, I have completely missed new teacher orientation. In service starts Monday, so even if I do e-mail principals, I am sure I won't get a response. It would be a miracle if I got a job at this point.

My last day working at the childcare center is next Friday. I can not believe the summer is coming to a close...

Since my lease doesn't end until September, I am going to stay in my apartment until it's over. I don't want to pay double rent anywhere. Lord knows I don't have money...

stay tuned to see what happens in the next 3 weeks. It should be interesting! I will either have a job and will be hectically setting up a classroom or starting my long-term sub assignment!

Side Note: I was in the line for In-N-Out Burger today, the lady taking my order asked me if I was a teacher just out of the blue. At first I just felt so flattered because I was dressed in some teacher clothes, and I just thought she thought I looked like a teacher. Then I realized I had a bunch of border and classroom posters in my passenger seat. Hah.. that probably gave it away.

More DIY

I have several DIY projects on my to-do list.

Such as:
-line the drawers of my buffet/tv stand with wrapping paper/mod podge
-make a terrarium (or 2)
-sunburst mirror.

I am DYING to do the sun burst mirror. IKEA is less than 5 minutes from my house, so getting the supplies would be quick and easy, but I am afraid of doing the project and then damaging it in the move (or having to possibly store it for several months)

but gah it is so pretty and looks so great!!!

http://www.hgtv.com/living-rooms/create-a-sunburst-mirror/index.html



It's not like I'll have any spare time if I get a job to do these projects... so maybe if I don't get a job, the spring semester could be filled with travel, subbing, and crafting....

Recovered Seat Cushions - DIY

Since my living situation for next year isn't really set yet, I have seven pieces of furniture I recently bought of off Craigslist being stored in my mom's garage. One night she told me that the furniture was making her garage smell like, "old people." We all know what that smells like, and it wasn't something I was hoping to take to my next apartment. I decided that this weekend would be the perfect opportunity for a fun DIY Project.

So here is the Before pic... I should have taken some pictures outside because I couldn't really capture the seafoam green color indoors.


Here is the After! Again, the photos in this light really don't do the chairs justice!


The seats were super yucky and super uncomfortable. My mom and I took apart one of the chairs and measured out how much fabric we would need for all 4. We were also on the hunt for new foam.

Before heading out to Joann's fabric store, I had it in my head that I was going to completely re-do the table and chairs. I was thinking of spraypainting them plum and finding a a fabric that complemented. I was over whelmed in the fabric store because there was way too much to choose from. I then changed my plan from painting them plum to painting them a blue color found in the fabric I chose. I was so pleased to see that the fabric actually went well with the existing colors! It's too hot outside to spray paint anything right now anyway...

I scored the fabric at 60% off AND they gave me a teacher discount It was regualrly $34.99/yd and I got a yard 1/2. The 72" Foam roll cost me $30. So in total, I spent $46 at Joann's. My mom had a Home Depot gift card and graciously let me buy a staple gun and some staples with it.

I did a face palm when we were ready to get started because I forgot to pick up some batting to go over the foam.. My mom is a pretty smart thinker and remembered she had placed an old full-size mattress cover in our goodwill stack, so it was way better than batting and it was FREE.

Yanked off the nasty fabric and threw away that nasty batting...


Traced the board onto the foam and cut it out.


I trimmed the edges so that it would be rounder...


Staple Gun Fun!!


Trim the excess...


I like the mattress cover way more than the batting anyway.. It won't be so nasty in a couple years!


Repeat with fabric of choice...


and Voila!