My New Big Girl Job!

Happy Labor Day Weekend Everybody!

How are you doing?  I'm doing super fabulously well because...drum roll please...

I HAVE A BIG GIRL JOB!

I'm going to be an elementary school resource room teacher!  After 27 Dresses interviews I am so excited to begin this new chapter in my life!  Because I am a special education teacher, there will be zero information regarding my students, my school, and/or other professional mentions on the blog.  I try to be honest here, but due to the sensitivity of my job, I legally and personally feel that I must respect the anonymity of my students.

Does that mean I won't brag about what a wonderful job I have?  Kale no!  I think teaching is the greatest profession and therefore I will still cheer on my fellow teachers and share my feelings about teaching in general here on the bloggy.

Let me tell you, the teacher-interview process is grueling.  It was 3 months (I am extremely blessed to have found a job as quickly as I did--to all my friends who are still looking for teaching positions, good luck!  Your class and kids are out there!) of rejection, money, praying, and hard work.  At one point, I went on 4 interviews in 3 days!!

I consider myself extremely blessed that I was even able to go on as many interviews as I did.  The educational climate has shifted significantly over the past few years in this country.  As a side effect, jobs have been cut by the thousands.  It's rough out there.  Sometimes I think it would be easier to win an Academy Award than become a teacher, especially in NJ!  I felt privileged to have been granted this many opportunities and believe me I never took one of them for granted.  Here are a list of interviews I went on:

1. 6th Grade Inclusion-1st round interview was during Educational Interview Days at TCNJ.  I was called in for a second interview, then a demo lesson on Close Reading, then I was offered the position.  I turned it down because my heart wasn't in it.  I knew that I couldn't take this job if my heart wasn't 100% in it.  I turned it down and risked a whole bunch for it.

2. HS Multiple Disabilities Class-1st round interview during Educational Interview Days at TCNJ.  I think both the interviewer and I knew this wasn't the job for me.

3. Variety of special education positions-1st round interview was during Educational Interview Days at TCNJ.  This position was over an hour away so I wasn't  too upset that I didn't get this job.

4. Variety of general education positions-1st round interview at a job fair.  2nd round interview with a principal and 3 teachers.  3rd round interview with all of the elementary principals in the district.  4th round interview with the superintendent.  This position was a dream job.  I would have loved it.  When I didn't get this job I was devastated.  I cried for a very long time and felt like a huge loser.  I also began to regret turning down the job in District 1.

5. Variety of special education positions-1st round of interviews with a principal, director of curriculum, and a teacher.  2nd round of interviews consisted of a demo lesson on guided reading.  I was sad that I didn't get this position.  I was actually called in to interview for another position later in August, but I had already accepted a position in my district.

6. Variety of general education position-1st round interviews with a principal and curriculum director.  2nd round interview was a demo lesson on Fact vs. Fiction.  I was very upset when I didn't get this position because it came a week after I was rejected from 2 other districts.

7. Special education long term sub-1st round interview.  Offered position after I already accepted my current position.

8. Variety of special education and general education positions-1st round interview with principal and vice principal.  2nd round interview was with principal, vp, special ed supervisor, and a teacher.  3rd round interview was a demo lesson on introducing a novel.  This job I wanted very very very badly!  I was crushed when I didn't get it.  I probably cried more than I've ever cried over anything or anyone.  I don't think I left my house all that much.  Deb yelled at me to pull myself together and that if I was going to give up, I didn't deserve it anyone.  She's real big on tough love when you just want to be coddled.

9.  Variety of special education positions-1st round interview was with a few principals, curriculum director, and director of special education.  2nd round interview was a demo lesson on making connections to literature.

10.  Variety of special education positions-1st round interview was a phone interview with a principal.  2nd round interview was an interview with all of the elementary school principals.  I did not make it to the 3rd or 4th round interviews, but was called back in for an interview the day after I accepted my current position.

11. MD reading class-1st round interview was scheduled after I already had my current job.  I turned them down.

12. Resource room position at my dream school.  1st round interview was with 2 principals, a teacher, and a special education supervisor.  2nd round interview was a phonics demo lesson on blends.  I ended up hearing back that same day that I got the job.  I received that call on my way to the gym and as soon as I pulled in I called the principal back.  She told me I got the job and I  probably cried for over an hour and had the best workout of my life.  I had to interview with the superintendent and then I signed my contract and got my job!

My life was crazy, but I'm glad it was such an emotional roller coaster.  The process made me extremely grateful and humble.  I know that I worked myself harder than I ever have in my life.  I was pushed to the brink emotionally and psychologically.  It made me tougher and quicker on my feet.  I am so appreciative of this position and it will make me work even harder.

Every week you're getting rejected, interviewed, passed over, and picked apart.  You could interview well and have a killer demo lesson, but the district may have a long term sub, student teacher, or a para who has put in more time than you.  Interviewing for a teaching job is kind of like going on a whole bunch of dates.  Sometimes you get called back, sometimes they break up with you, and sometimes, if you're very lucky, they choose you and you get to live happily ever after.

If you know someone who is currently interviewing for a teaching position give them a big hug and let them vent.  This is an extremely competitive and stressful time in education.  If you have a teaching job, remember to be grateful for ti.  Remember that there are 1,000s of people out there who would gladly take your spot in a heartbeat.  Remember the rejections.  Remember the triumphs.  Remember the sense of accomplishments.  Remember to be tough and don't let this get you down.  Even though it will get you down and crush your soul.  Remember that everything happens for a reason.  If I had taken the first job, I would have missed out on my current job.  I'm so glad I didn't get job #4 because even though it was everything I would have ever wanted then, it has nothing on my current job.  I'm elated, blessed, and grateful to be in the position I am in now.


....Did I mention the best part of my new job??  I'm working down the hall from...

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MY DEB!  Yup, I get to work down the hall from my momma.  I'm going to write a post about what it's like to work with your mom in a few weeks. 

Gotta run and prep my classroom!  Enjoy your weekend and be safe!

Love Love Love,

Erin

What It's Like to Get Rejected From a Job

Happy Friday!

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Does anyone else still sing this lyrical gem whenever it's Friday?  No?  Just me?  Okaymovingonthen.

First, let me send a huge shout out/hug out to my family, friends, and everyone who sent/is currently sending me love on my job hunt!  I love y'all!  You are so sweet with your FB comments, texts, calls, etc!

Let me preface this with, I was kind of led on.  This leading on led me to turn down a different position.   A position that I would have been good at.  A position that I would have enjoyed.  However, my dream positoin was dangled in front of me and like a Lilly Pulitzer dress on clearance.  And like any preppy girlie girl, I jumped for it.  Needless to say, I didn't get the dream position.  However, recent events have proven that this was a serindipitous occasion.  I'm now interviewing at some really great districts and feeling more confident in my choice.

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NOT as confident as Wills there, but what are you gonna do?  No one can rock a hula skirt and Grandpa at a wedding dancing quite like GB's heir

So as you know I was rejected from a job I desperately wanted.  It was really rough and it left me reeling for a few days.  As per usual, when I'm sad I went on a really hard run.  (And ate Panera :)  Thanks Deb)  

Getting rejected from anything is really hard.  Getting rejected from your dream job is extra hard.  It's what you've worked for for 5 years.  It makes you second guess yourself, your talent, and all the time you spent working on bettering yourself.  I felt completely worthless.  Completely defeated and dejected. Sure I've been rejected by other things/people before, but this time was different.  In middle school I was rejected from the basketball team.  That was just a portion of my identity--basketball was not my whole identity.  My job is.  Being a teacher is all encompassing.  That's who you are.  I've always been a career minded lady--that's my thing.  I'm a teacher.  Being rejected from a job is kind of like someone denying you your identity.  It shakes you and shatters you to your core.  I think it also hurts because you worked hard for this.  I gave up a lot of things to make sure I did well in college.  I worked my booty off and now I want to see that hard work turn into a job. 

I was devastated when I got the news.  It hit me like a ton of bricks and it hurt.  I cried (ugly Kim Kardashian style crying) for days week and a half.  I felt like the biggest loser who ever walked the planet.  And not the cool Biggest Loser who has Jillian Michaels screaming at them to "work harder!"

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LOLZ

  No, like a worthless human being.  I didn't even feel like myself.  I listened to the "Sad Day Playlist" on my iTunes.  Don't judge, you know you have one, too :)  But after a day I started to feel better.  I started listening to my "So Much Better" playlist.  (Yes, So Much Better from Legally Blonde the musical is the opening song :))  I started feeling like my normal self again.  It's been about 2 weeks and I'm feeling better now.  Everything happens for a reason :)  Not my district, not my kids.

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With every rejection I would just flash back to the decision I made.  I rejected a job.  Who does that?  It was a guaranteed position and it was something that I would have been good doing.  I would have been happy there.  I would have done well there.  When I turned that job down I felt like I was letting everyone down.  I felt like I let the district down.  I felt like I let the people I interviewed with down and I felt like I left my future/would be students down.  It was risky to turn this position down.  NJ is not in the best place education wise and educators are losing their jobs right and left.  I know this and considered these factors in my decision.  I went with my gut and decided that I wanted to see what else was out there.  I didn't think this district was my home.  I went with my gut and it was/is risky.  For the first time since I was 12, I am unemployed.  I am still tutoring and babysitting but no definite 9-5 job.  It's a weird feeling.  However, just between us...I'm loving sleeping til 10 and then laying by the pool for hours :)

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And duh, of course my pool lounging looks just like Jen's pool lounging ;) in my dreams

But, being rejected taught me a thing or two.  You can't give up.  You have to brush off the dirt on your heels and dry clean that I'm-gonna-kill-it-interview-dress and keep going.  I read something (on Pinterest lol) that said, self doubt is literally betting against yourself and (like all things on Pinterest) I really thought about that.  Then, I remembered what my good friend Elle Woods said at Harvard's Commencement...

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I have faith in myself.  I'm confident with and in my abilities and I'm gonna keep on trucking.  Keep moving forward and I'll use all the rejections to better myself.  One of my friends wrote on my FB wall that the rejections make you a better and more grateful teacher and I think she's right.  When I do earn my job, I will be so grateful and excited.  

Sometimes it's hard to be so open about failure, especially job failure.  If you're like me, your self worth is tied to your job.  Losing out on something like a job makes you feel completely lost.  But, it's that bonding with other people over a joint loss (job, friends, family member, SO) that keeps us human, humble, and helps us heal.  That was a lotta H words.

While I was crushed by that rejection, I believe whole heartedly that everything happens for a reason and that God has a plan for all of us.  So I'm going to let serindipity be my guide and keep applying for jobs and improving myself.


I'll keep you all updated!  To my fellow job hunting SPEDS--good luck and kick butt on those interviews :)

xoox,

E

Smiles, Sunshine, and Snow!

Happy Saturday y'all!

 A side note on y'all--I'm glad this Southern favorite saying is moving it's little way up to the North!  I love this phrase and throw it in when I go to the South.  Speaking of the South, Happy Mardi Gras week!  Sending my love and aspirin to my friends in NOLA!  Pat O's, congrats on making 80% of your yearly income this week!!

Ok, so about the title of the post...

I have some exciting news!

I have three interviews for actual grown up jobs!  TCNJ runs an educational interview day at The College aka Speed Dating for Job Interviews.  They invite school districts from around the region to interview potential teachers.  The majority of the schools are located in North Jersey.  When I sent my resume in a month ago, I really didn't even think that I would get an interview.  Not in an I suck way, but in a there's a 1000000 of mes and only thousands of school districts.  It's almost easier to become an Oscar winning actress than acquire a teaching job in NJ.

Since I found this news out I have been uncontrollably smiling and just feeling good!  I know that there is a slim chance that I will get one of these jobs but it's a nice way to start your weekend!  I feel like this is the beginning of the ball rolling on the course to employment!  Even getting an interview is an incredible feeling because it means that these districts saw something in me that they want to see again! They believe I can do it, they are validating my years of hard work, and I can't wait!  My interviews are in three weeks and I will be researching the districts like crazy until then!  There's always the fear when you start applying for jobs that no one will call you back.  At.  All.  It's a scary time right now with the economy and the always tumultuous teacher bashing that is happening now.  Even if I don't get one of these jobs I will get practice at interviewing and the realization that becoming a big girl teacher is coming to fruition.  After a grueling five year road to my Masters I'm ready to be done and teach!

Also, after basking in the glow of interview bliss, I began a great weekend!  My Pilates class is expanding to Saturdays!  YAY!  I love Pilates!  It's amazing to see how your body changes and gets stronger after classes.  It's an amazing total body workout and I always leave feeling totally zen and ready to take on the day.  It's a dorky thing to say but it's true!  My Pilates instructor is amazing!  Her class calms all of my Type-A craziness and centers me.  After class she knows that I indulge in some chocolate loving and this week she found me on the elliptical after class and handed me a Heath bar.  Does your Pilates instructor do that?  Didn't think so!

I also heard Let It Go on the radio!  Be still my beating heart!  Nothing perks up a Saturday quite like a little bit of Disney jams on mainstream radio!

I also made spaghetti squash today.  It was really good!  I was surprised at how filling it was!  I added a homemade sauce to it.  It was EVOO based with Italian seasonings, spinach, rosemary, garlic, tomatoes, and a little bit of mozzarella.  It was soooooo yummy!

food porn?!

Also, we're facing a Snow Day on Monday and you know what that means?!  Nutella waffles!

Sorry, this is food porn!

Since Lent starts Wednesday, I will be giving up sugar!  Sugar is my life source!  I am getting excited for this 40 day sugar detox!  But that means I'm going to employ Joey's mantra:  

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I made a banana bread with chocolate chips, Deb made a vanilla pound cake which I promptly frosted with Nutella, and I've been drinking soda because I know I only have 3 days left!  I'm going to be an angry girl without my beloved sugar but I'm hoping this pulls me back on track so I'm not so addicted to the sweet stuff.  We'll see...

Anyway, happy weekend!

xoxo,

E