Answered Prayers

For the past few months I have been praying, wishing and hoping to be able to tell you this news: I GOT A JOB! a real one. with a contract. and medical insurance. Someone pinch me.

This school year, I will be teaching third grade. Specializing in science and social studies. Which is somewhat new for me since when I had my long-term sub position I taught math. But I am super excited.

I had always planned on teaching younger kids...so my Carson Dellosa animal-train alphabet is going to have to go back. And my collection of hundreds of books (which happen to be picture books) is not going to come in very handy with children who are starting to read chapter books. But, nonetheless, I am super excited.

I don't have much more time to write at the moment, so I'll update with a little more info later...but I just wanted to let you all know that I have finally found a job and that I am so grateful that this has happened.

:)

Keeping The Faith...

Well, a few days have passed and I have applied for several more jobs. Still no word. I just wish someone would give me the chance. I am telling you, once I get a job, my life will become nothing but that job. I will arrive early and stay late, volunteer for any and everything extra, go out of my way to help the school/district however I can...heck, I'll even buy a school t-shirt and sport it proudly all the time.
Essentially, what I'm saying is that no one would be a more dedicated teacher than me. I love teaching; it is truly my passion. It's funny- when you're actually in the classroom the day-to-day routine can get stressful and make you want nothing more than a break. But when you're not in it- when you're not actually teaching- it feels as if your world is incomplete...like you don't know what to do with yourself because ALL you want to do is teach. That's how I feel now. All I want to do is teach. My world is incomplete. The job search consumes every waking moment of my day in one way or another.
Today, though, a glimmer of hope came out of nowhere. Granted, I am still very, very hopeful that I will get a job within the next month, but today, I learned some amazing news: the school where I student taught and did my long-term substitute position MAY have an opening this school year...which seemed nearly impossible at the end of last year. However, some people are shifting around with new administrative positions opening, leaving a possible spot open to teach 2nd grade. I feel like I definitely have my foot in the door with this school, too, since they called me to sub almost every day. In learning this news, my heart began to race, I got butterflies in my stomach, and I got uncontrollably excited. What happened next cannot be blamed on me...

I went to walmart and bought a bunch of school supplies.

I can't help it; Back-to-School sales always get me. ;)

Hello, Old Friend

Well, as you may have noticed (assuming anyone is still out there) I have had a serious lack of blogging over the past few months. I've been SUPER busy and SUPER stressed. But it's time for an update.

Let's start from where we left off, shall we?
My long-term substitute position ended in mid-May. It went very well. It ended up being a very enjoyable experience overall and I have to say it really helped to prepare me for having a classroom in the future. I administered their state achievement tests, so that was great experience also. I had a very strong bond with the students. It was almost sad to leave.

In my most recent post, I said, "...I guess we will see where I am at come July..."

Well, here it is, July, and guess what?

No job.
At least not a real, full-time, have-my-own-classroom teaching job.
I am currently working as a summer preschool teacher in a very urban location. I enjoy my job, but some of the students have very, very severe behavior problems. Problems I've never seen before. I get kicked, punched, scratched, and cussed at on a daily basis. So, needless to say, my current job is very difficult, but I manage.

I am continuing the job search on a daily basis. I have applied to over 50 places and still, nothing. One of the jobs I applied for had over 536 applicants. And the districts always find someone internally.

I had an interview at a charter school, but it seemed our views did not really align. I personally do not believe a Kindergarten student should be doing 2 hours of homework each night. The school did. I am actually glad that it ended up working out that way; I would not have felt comfortable working in a place that required me to carry out things I do not agree with.

All I want is for someone to give me a chance. One chance, and I will prove to them that I can contribute significantly to their school, to their district, to their children. I am more than willing to go above and beyond 100% to be the best teacher I can be. I just need that one chance.

So, as you may have guessed, posting probably won't be as frequent as I would like it to be without a real job. Or any interviews. Or anything to report in regards to teaching really at all.

Last year, on my birthday, the boyfriend got me this book:

It hurts so much to look at it now because all I want to do is read it and have a reason to be reading it.
Some people (me being one of them) are a little worried that I haven't found a job by now. Many others, though, keep telling me that no school districts hire people until August anyway, so there is no need to worry.

I truly hope August comes with the promise of a job.

Pretty please.