Grad School

I did it! I'm in and start January 2011! Hello UWB I'm once again yours.

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So I landed a job!

After 5 interviews in 4 districts I finally got a happy call back! Last Thursday I interviewed in the mukilteo SD. I walked in not knowing much of the job description but soon learned it was a developmentally delayed preschool class newly created due to numbers. To be perfectly honest I have no prior experience in dd classrooms but I am up for the challenge. I have been so wrapped up in determination of finding a continuing job that I was willing to take most paraeducator openings.

The interview went well. I especially enjoyed the principals level of energy and the interviewers (3) of me. I'm glad to have successfully gotten my foot in the door. Of course I can't help but feel sad because its not what at all I expected to be doing but I guess this is what life is about.

It's a tough job market out there and I'm hoping this job suits me well and is the beginning of more grand opportunities!!

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The "I Want a Job" Blues...

Ask me how I'm feeling. I'll give you: tired, stressed, annoyed, frustrated, let down, yet slightly hopeful.

Ask me what I want. I'll respond: "A job!"

Now you begin to ask, "Christina, why are you frustrated?" And I'll give you, "Because I haven't heard back from a job I interviewed with 2 weeks ago. I called HR a week after and recieved a very blah response. "The staff has not yet made a decision, the position has not been filled." So I'm still sitting here wondering and hoping with a huge weight on my shoulders. I've thought about how much I want this job and I really want it.

This leads to the second issue I'm struggling with that just pushes down on the feelings I mentioned above. See, I've become use to the grueling truth that I live quite a ways away from my ideal job. I've given into going the mile. Is it too much to ask to work at a school I could literally walk to? I can't even begin to explain this surreal feeling I get everytime I imagine myself walking to school as their future employee. Actually I can picture it quite well and I have a huge smile on my face while I do so!

You see, there is still a job listed at said school for Kindergarten and when I emailed today to see if this posting had been filled they responded with, "We will know by Friday if we need to interview for this job." Once again I'm left with a response that raises my hopes unfairly. I'm lost as to how I should be feeling.

I am a very systematic, organized, and routine-friendly fan! I need order in my life and I'm not sure how well subbing will fulfill this need. Do not get me wrong, I am thankful for any and all teaching jobs handed my way. Money and experience is money and experience right? Well, I'm just at a point in my life where I can't ignore this little, tiny, itsy-bisty ray of hope I can see.

I'm thankful to my friends who remind me everyday that stressing is a waste of time, the right thing will come my way and for those of you who share in this same feeling of not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

Here's to being optimistic, determined, hopeful and a whole bunch of luck- if it even exists!

Continuing the Job Hunt

It's been a stressful couple of months trying to find a job, a job the fits and makes me happy without being picky during these times. I've found the Snohomish SD online job opportunities site to be most promising. I check it everyday and I see at least one new opening a week. In fact, I've even began applying for classified (paraeducators, etc.) jobs as well.

Last Wednesday I was called for a preschool para job in the district and I was extremely pleased with how the interview went. I was able to meet both teachers and the principal and I left feeling great! Is this a step in the wrong direction? Hard to say. I like routines, and this job would provide me a daily and automatic schedule. While there is little to no curriculum in this opportunity, I am extremely excited to see where these kiddos come from developmentally and I would enjoy seeing how far them come over the year. How fun would it be to help them get ready for Kindergarten!

I am waiting to hear back about the job and it's a hard decision to make. Do I take the job if offered? What if I get another certificated opportunity? As you can imagine my mind is going a little crazy.

Just recently I've seen a few more postings, one for a first grade job in Lake Stevens, and a 2nd grade and 4th grade in Snohomish. I would be so greatful for any one of these. I'm hoping to get a call. I just keep telling myself, "What's meant to be will be."

I am so proud to keep reading about all the cohort friends of mine who are landing their dream jobs in local districts. I know they are doing fabulous!

The Job Search

It's official, I have my very first interview scheduled!!

I have been applying like crazy to districts that I know have open pools or available jobs. So far Lake Washington, Marysville, Snohomish, Lake Stevens, and Nortshore have my application. It was to my surprise that while far away on vacation I recieved a phone call for a full-time Kindergarten position. I quickly decided to cut my vacation short and head home. This opportunity was too good to pass up even though it's quite a drive from home.

We shall see how things work out. I'm keeping positive and taking this opportunity as a wonderful learning experience.

Stay tuned...

The Waiting Game

It has been a while since my last posting. Apologies on my part. I've ben unbelieveably busy over the last few months learning, teaching, and learning some more.

I've completed the UWB teaching program and attended 2010 commencement with my fellow cohorters on Sunday June 13th. It is a wonderful feeling to be done but I feel that now more than ever I am feeling the real stress. Not to say that the program wasn't a lot of hard work but finding a job is quite the process. So many school districts and so many applications. Unfortunately jobs aren't out in the open but a few birdies have been telling me that there are jobs available and that I should make myself available for interviews.

I am trying to say hopeful but it's hard. I want to land the perfect job. I want to be at a school and district that makes me happy. I can only be so picky right?

Student teaching was an amazing experience for me. I remember back to the first few months I was in the program and I was dreading student teaching. Myself during those months had very little confidence. I knew that I wasn't prepared but the closer and closer I got to Spring quarter the more I felt comfortable being in charge. The kids made it so easy and so did my Master teacher. She even felt comfortable enough to have me teach as her substitute for 2.5 days (with pay!) Let me just tell you how weird it was when I realized that you could actually get paid for this gig. The days fly by and it hardly seems like work compared to my previous employment opportunities. I can't express the happiness I feel when I am teaching. To love what you do is all you can really ask for.

All of my observations went well and my supervisor, master teacher, and principal had nothing but kind and encouraging things to say. The entire experience was a great confidence booster. I am thankful to Woodmoor for allowing so many of us interns to be a part of their school. While most staff was welcoming and acted as mentors to us, I always felt supported and valued.

Now I'm continuing to fill out applications and hoping to get a phone call in the next few months.

One Happy Busy Bee!

I love the days when I am teaching, the sun is out, the math lesson of the day brings us on to the playground, and the Principal shares an awesome review with me about how well I did the previous day! It's days like today that make me thankful I'm in this profession!

I am still busy trying to get all of my Intern substitute paperwork in. It's quite the process...so many papers need to be turned in many different places and all by a deadline. It will be nice to be paid for a few days out of my 6 week internship. =)



I was able to interview a K, 1st, and 2nd grade teacher today about their teaching philosophies, their methods of instruction etc. It was fun to just listen and look around their rooms. It's nice to see what experienced teachers are doing, what they have learned over the years and to see how I could incorporate their methods into my own teaching!

I miss my cohort members so much! Luckily I get to see the tomorrow at our seminar.