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...

source

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

You Know Your Parent's An Educator When

Hello lovelies,

This weekend mia famiglia went to visit my brother at school in Virginia.  Such a fun time!  More on that post later.  Long car rides and I have a rocky relationship with each other.  On the one hand I love the quiet alone time with just the radio, a good magazine, family chats, and laughs.  On the other hand I can’t stand being contained in an SUV for 6 hours.  I do get some really good soul searcher done on these car rides though.  I don’t know if that is for better or for worse.  Sometimes you need to stop analyzing your life and just live it.  Don’t think too much is one of my 2014 New Year’s Resolutions.  Inevitably Deb and I will get in a discussion about education and how to be a better teacher.  I love these convos because my mom is such a well of knowledge.  She’s been a speech pathologist for over 30 years and is fantastic!  I admire her and her work ethic.  While we were talking I got the idea about things that Educator’s Kids Get.  Here is my list:

1) As a youngster you were checked to make sure you were hitting your developmental milestones on that exact month marker. 

2) Everyone wanted to play school at your house because you had actual old teacher’s manuals, an actual attendance book, and an actual seating chart.

3) On the 15^th and 30^th of every month you were living large!!  Those were pay days and you knew that your educator parent was coming home telling you, you guys “were going out to dinner”! 

4) You were at those teacher contract negotiation rallies wearing your I Support Public Education t-shirt and carrying your Settle Now signs while proudly marching with the other union members.

5) When other people bash unions, you come up with 20 good reasons and benefits of unions.

6) You’ve gone to political marches at your state capital. 

7) You ate pasta every night for the last ½ of August waiting for that September 1^st pay day.  (Not really, but you know that you’re not “going out to dinner”.

8)  Your parent was a celebrity in your area because every time you went to Target or the grocery store your parent was recognized and bombarded with hugs and love. 

9) You saw that and wanted your future students to feel that strongly about you.  Seriously when we see my mom’s students it’s so beautiful because they love her! 

10) You know teachers don’t get summers off.  Nor are they home at 3:30…more like 7.

11)  When/if a teacher called your house, emailed your parents, or wrote a note home, you knew YOU were in trouble.  There was never a discussion of if you were wrongly accused or not.  No, you were the one at fault.

12)   Barnes & Noble was your treat when you finished your behavior chart.

13) You have a cabinet full of mugs that your parent has received from past students.  You know that your parent would never dare throw away these mugs because they remind them of that “special student”.  (You also know that you will never buy your child’s teacher a mug or candle because you yourself have seen the volume of mugs and candles teacher’s receive J)

14)   If you were bad you didn’t get to go the library on Sasturday for new books.

15)   You participated in every Summer Reading Program at your local library.  (usually you also won them because reading was a scheduled part of your daily routine)

16)  You went to preschool and loved it!

17)  You were happy when school functions and plays were at night so that your educator parent could come.

18)  You knew that on Back To School Night and Open House Night, you were getting PIZZA FOR DINNER!!! Yay!!!  P.S. this still happens even when you’re 22.

19)  You really were forced to do your daily 30 minutes of homework a night in elementary school.

20)  You got tummy time as a baby.

21)  You had a picture schedule growing up that was clearly posted in your bedroom.

22)  You never saw your educator parent during IEP season.  IEP season always stunk because that meant my dad would cook.  This lasted about 3 days (and 3 overcooked tortellini soup dinners) before we got take out. 

23)  You yourself are probably a teacher or future teacher.  Because what other job is as rewarding or important?   Answer?  Nothing. 

24)  You never had a problem scheduling observations during your own Teacher Candidate Training.

25)  You waited and counted down the days to Bring Your Child To Work Day because you got to pass out the paper and be your parent’s special helper.  No one passed out paper quite like me!  Rocked that!

26)  Children’s books were where you sought out guidance.  Your educator parent probably talked out the issue with you thoroughly and then handed you a perfectly chosen and aligned piece of literature with a character for you to emulate. 

27)  You still refer to children’s book’s characters for guidance and moral support.

28)  You wrote to authors as a child.

29)  Your teachers were your lifelong idols.

30)  Your play room was set up in centers.

31)  You had gender neutral toys to support fine and gross motor skills, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. 

32)  You entered school knowing how to read.

33)  You know that educators are the hardest working people in the biz.

34)  You parent had a behavior chart that you adhered to religiously. 

35)  You went to Disney over NJEA teacher’s convention.

36)  You were the first person to bring back your field trip parent chaperone form because you knew your educator parent had to apply and be approved for their personal days.

37)  You never went to summer camp.

38)  You couldn’t imagine (and wouldn’t want to) being raised by anyone other than an educator.  

This is just a short tongue in cheek look at the life of a "teacher kid" and I really could go on and on about the perks of being raised by an educator.

Have a fabulous night,

   Erin