Welcome to my new world
Thursday, March 24, 2005
We have established contract
At least, I have, for the next school year that is :) Today I signed the contract that officially seals my fate as a full time, permanent basis teacher here in MN. I mentioned the job in one of my last posts, but I'll give a brief description update anyway.
1. Working hours 8:30am-5pm (how often do you find THAT at a high school)
2. Teaching 9th graders of various abilities
3. Starts already this April
4. School is scheduled to grow in the next few years, adding 11, 12, middle, and elementary
5. Staff development workshops and classes will be paid for
6. Possible summer school teacher position
7. Location is about 20 min away (with no gridlock or highway driving!)
8. Full dental and health insurance for about $30-40/mo.
9. First year teacher pay--comporable to metro area public schools (not shabby at all)
10. DEPENDABLE EMPLOYMENT FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE!
All that adds up to one happy Katie :) Let's hope the happiness spreads.
At least, I have, for the next school year that is :) Today I signed the contract that officially seals my fate as a full time, permanent basis teacher here in MN. I mentioned the job in one of my last posts, but I'll give a brief description update anyway.
1. Working hours 8:30am-5pm (how often do you find THAT at a high school)
2. Teaching 9th graders of various abilities
3. Starts already this April
4. School is scheduled to grow in the next few years, adding 11, 12, middle, and elementary
5. Staff development workshops and classes will be paid for
6. Possible summer school teacher position
7. Location is about 20 min away (with no gridlock or highway driving!)
8. Full dental and health insurance for about $30-40/mo.
9. First year teacher pay--comporable to metro area public schools (not shabby at all)
10. DEPENDABLE EMPLOYMENT FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE!
All that adds up to one happy Katie :) Let's hope the happiness spreads.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Sad news today
In Red Lake, MN, several kids and adults were killed in a school shooting. Apparently one student had some issues, and went around randomly shooting around the school, and then he shot himself. It's tragic, horrifying, and ultimately pointless.
Considering all that, it makes me wonder why I just accepted the offer for a full time teaching job that I received over the phone today.
In Red Lake, MN, several kids and adults were killed in a school shooting. Apparently one student had some issues, and went around randomly shooting around the school, and then he shot himself. It's tragic, horrifying, and ultimately pointless.
Considering all that, it makes me wonder why I just accepted the offer for a full time teaching job that I received over the phone today.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
When it rains it pours...or snows
Supposedly sometime in the next 24 hours we're supposed to get about 5-10 in. of snow in the area. Judging by the beautiful blue skies and 35+ degree weather, I highly doubt the snow will be that thick; at least, let's hope not.
Speaking of precipitation, there is that old adage "When it rains it pours" so apparently I'm experiencing one of those post-El Nino effects cuz it's become very rainy the last few days of my week. It appears that not only have I been offered the long term sub job that I applied for a couple weeks ago, but that I also will be going back for a second interview tomorrow for a full time, permanent job elsewhere.
It was such a fluke. I was looking at charter schools online, saw a school that had an opening posted a while back, so I emailed and inquired as to weather the position was still open. They emailed back and said, "Yes, it's open. We're in the interview process right now, can you interview today?" Naturally, I emailed back and said "Hell yes!" in so many words. So, without ever applying for the job, I showed up for an interview that afternoon with my resume and letters of recommendation in hand.
I guess the interview went pretty well because I'm going back tomorrow for a 2nd interview. I've never gotten to that point thus far in my search for a job, so I'm pretty nervous and pretty excited. My interview involves not just presenting myself to the administration, but teaching a class for about 30 min while the administrators observe. No pressure, eh? But then, I have been subbing for the last year, so I do know what it's like to enter a strange classroom, present myself with an air of being "with-it" and confident in my abilities, so I'm really not THAT nervous.
It's more the idea of trying to get a job I really want that scares me. Imagine, if you will, a teaching job at a small school that is expanding and thriving, that would start almost immediately, with hours between 9-4:30. How rare is that? Do you know how completely awesome those hours would be for me? I would get so much more sleep than I currently do, and I wouldn't even mind coming in early. Plus, I usually stay late anyway, so getting out later really doesn't bother me at all. AND, it's only a 20 min drive through the city to get there, without really entering any bad traffic zones.
::sigh:: Now all I have to do is make sure my lesson plan is stellar. I have it pretty much planned out, but I have to type up a lesson plan for the administrators to use as a guide to my presentation. And I'm sure I should include the learning goals and all that. Needless to say, I'll be a basketcase tomorrow while teaching during the day, so I hope my students are prepared for a flighty teacher tomorrow. My mind will be completely on what happens AFTER school, at the interview. Ah well, they'll deal. Besides, I'll just have to design the day to be student led or something.
Whatever, preparing for an interview is just a bit more important at this point in the game. I just wish I wasn't here alone tonight so I couldn't get stressed out, but Tricia's dogsitting and Chris has to work super early tomorrow. I'll just have to make up by celebrating tomorrow no matter what happens :)
Supposedly sometime in the next 24 hours we're supposed to get about 5-10 in. of snow in the area. Judging by the beautiful blue skies and 35+ degree weather, I highly doubt the snow will be that thick; at least, let's hope not.
Speaking of precipitation, there is that old adage "When it rains it pours" so apparently I'm experiencing one of those post-El Nino effects cuz it's become very rainy the last few days of my week. It appears that not only have I been offered the long term sub job that I applied for a couple weeks ago, but that I also will be going back for a second interview tomorrow for a full time, permanent job elsewhere.
It was such a fluke. I was looking at charter schools online, saw a school that had an opening posted a while back, so I emailed and inquired as to weather the position was still open. They emailed back and said, "Yes, it's open. We're in the interview process right now, can you interview today?" Naturally, I emailed back and said "Hell yes!" in so many words. So, without ever applying for the job, I showed up for an interview that afternoon with my resume and letters of recommendation in hand.
I guess the interview went pretty well because I'm going back tomorrow for a 2nd interview. I've never gotten to that point thus far in my search for a job, so I'm pretty nervous and pretty excited. My interview involves not just presenting myself to the administration, but teaching a class for about 30 min while the administrators observe. No pressure, eh? But then, I have been subbing for the last year, so I do know what it's like to enter a strange classroom, present myself with an air of being "with-it" and confident in my abilities, so I'm really not THAT nervous.
It's more the idea of trying to get a job I really want that scares me. Imagine, if you will, a teaching job at a small school that is expanding and thriving, that would start almost immediately, with hours between 9-4:30. How rare is that? Do you know how completely awesome those hours would be for me? I would get so much more sleep than I currently do, and I wouldn't even mind coming in early. Plus, I usually stay late anyway, so getting out later really doesn't bother me at all. AND, it's only a 20 min drive through the city to get there, without really entering any bad traffic zones.
::sigh:: Now all I have to do is make sure my lesson plan is stellar. I have it pretty much planned out, but I have to type up a lesson plan for the administrators to use as a guide to my presentation. And I'm sure I should include the learning goals and all that. Needless to say, I'll be a basketcase tomorrow while teaching during the day, so I hope my students are prepared for a flighty teacher tomorrow. My mind will be completely on what happens AFTER school, at the interview. Ah well, they'll deal. Besides, I'll just have to design the day to be student led or something.
Whatever, preparing for an interview is just a bit more important at this point in the game. I just wish I wasn't here alone tonight so I couldn't get stressed out, but Tricia's dogsitting and Chris has to work super early tomorrow. I'll just have to make up by celebrating tomorrow no matter what happens :)
Monday, March 14, 2005
The TRI-force of power!
Ah yes, I now have something in common with Link. Come to think of it, I remember having a dream with him in it...How is it that a young girl comes to fantasize about the anime-esque cartooned figure of a video game character? ::sigh:: If only he had really come to rescue me from my Ganon-induced sleep, awakening me with the power of the Triforce (and a kiss, naturally).
Anyway, today was the beginning of the third trimester, and I can say it actually went fairly smoothly. Granted, tomorrow I'm not 100% certain about what I am going to do for my classes, but at least I now know that my students aren't complete bastards for the last 1.5 weeks of my long term sub job. Besides, those 10 episodes of Inuyasha I watched tonight were a very important part of my professional development. Mmhmm, yep. ::sigh:: Perhaps Inuyasha will rescue me tonight ;)
Ah yes, I now have something in common with Link. Come to think of it, I remember having a dream with him in it...How is it that a young girl comes to fantasize about the anime-esque cartooned figure of a video game character? ::sigh:: If only he had really come to rescue me from my Ganon-induced sleep, awakening me with the power of the Triforce (and a kiss, naturally).
Anyway, today was the beginning of the third trimester, and I can say it actually went fairly smoothly. Granted, tomorrow I'm not 100% certain about what I am going to do for my classes, but at least I now know that my students aren't complete bastards for the last 1.5 weeks of my long term sub job. Besides, those 10 episodes of Inuyasha I watched tonight were a very important part of my professional development. Mmhmm, yep. ::sigh:: Perhaps Inuyasha will rescue me tonight ;)
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
When reality rears its ugly head
Today, congratulations is owed to a good friend who just earned her FIRST JOB! Way to go Jenny :) I know you've been searching and waiting and beefing up that resume for quite a while now, so congrats on finally getting the job you deserve.
Naturally, I'm insanely jealous, having not yet procured a full time job yet myself. Chris, too, found a new job a couple weeks ago, and although it is part time, it IS finally something relating to his field, so that's a major bonus. Things are looking up around here...I just hope I'm up there too by the end of this summer.
Yesterday afternoon I had an interview in a nicely inconveniently located southern suburb for a long term sub job that would last from April until the end of the school year. The concept of steady employment is tempting, but that 35-40 min commute certainly isn't. Still, I interviewed (the first on the list this week I guess), and I'll be finding out the status of that application sometime next week. I'm all ashivers with anticipation....Not really.
Actually, my mind is so distant from my current job, it's sort of sad. I keep thinking about all the things I should be doing while I'm mindlessly correcting papers the kids don't give a rip about anyway. Oh, I make sure my questions encourage critical thinking and that our discussions and activities get them motivated or at least interested in the subjects I'm teaching; I just have "more important" things on my mind.
It's almost mid-March, and soon the full time applications will be roaring through the mail system from me to a gazillion school districts in the area. First I must prepare by purchasing a new stack of manilla envelopes, a book or two of stamps, and a whole lot of patience because those fucking applications take a friggen boatload of time with their stupid "essay" questions that they ask you again anyway during the interviewing process. (Example: My interview yesterday involved 20 fucking questions that all went like, "What would you do if....," "Describe how you design lessons that...." and "If you had a really bitchy parent call...", etc.)
The next thing on the agenda is to finish my state taxes so I get more money (my federal refund is already in--yay for me!) And then there's the class I'm taking...My group has been slacking off most weeks, so in the next 4 weeks we need to compile our near-nonexistant research into a 40 minute presentation for the last day of class. Oh, and I suppose I should read the book I'm supposed to use for the take home test due that day too. ::sigh::
Like all good procrastinators would say, "Why do now what I can put off for tomorrow...or maybe the day after that." God I hope my students learn better.
Today, congratulations is owed to a good friend who just earned her FIRST JOB! Way to go Jenny :) I know you've been searching and waiting and beefing up that resume for quite a while now, so congrats on finally getting the job you deserve.
Naturally, I'm insanely jealous, having not yet procured a full time job yet myself. Chris, too, found a new job a couple weeks ago, and although it is part time, it IS finally something relating to his field, so that's a major bonus. Things are looking up around here...I just hope I'm up there too by the end of this summer.
Yesterday afternoon I had an interview in a nicely inconveniently located southern suburb for a long term sub job that would last from April until the end of the school year. The concept of steady employment is tempting, but that 35-40 min commute certainly isn't. Still, I interviewed (the first on the list this week I guess), and I'll be finding out the status of that application sometime next week. I'm all ashivers with anticipation....Not really.
Actually, my mind is so distant from my current job, it's sort of sad. I keep thinking about all the things I should be doing while I'm mindlessly correcting papers the kids don't give a rip about anyway. Oh, I make sure my questions encourage critical thinking and that our discussions and activities get them motivated or at least interested in the subjects I'm teaching; I just have "more important" things on my mind.
It's almost mid-March, and soon the full time applications will be roaring through the mail system from me to a gazillion school districts in the area. First I must prepare by purchasing a new stack of manilla envelopes, a book or two of stamps, and a whole lot of patience because those fucking applications take a friggen boatload of time with their stupid "essay" questions that they ask you again anyway during the interviewing process. (Example: My interview yesterday involved 20 fucking questions that all went like, "What would you do if....," "Describe how you design lessons that...." and "If you had a really bitchy parent call...", etc.)
The next thing on the agenda is to finish my state taxes so I get more money (my federal refund is already in--yay for me!) And then there's the class I'm taking...My group has been slacking off most weeks, so in the next 4 weeks we need to compile our near-nonexistant research into a 40 minute presentation for the last day of class. Oh, and I suppose I should read the book I'm supposed to use for the take home test due that day too. ::sigh::
Like all good procrastinators would say, "Why do now what I can put off for tomorrow...or maybe the day after that." God I hope my students learn better.
Friday, March 04, 2005
And I just can't stop this moving anymore
I've forgotten what I started moving for...
That's pretty much the case for me right now. Like Tricia said, the K&T B&B is now in business. Problem is, it won't be the K&T for more than a couple months. Then it'll have to have a new name, something like...the J&T B&B or the T&J Extended Stay. They'll figure something out.
It's not that I'm not enjoying 2nd floor--far from it. It feels so much bigger than the upstairs since the rooms are more separeted and the ceilings aren't slanted. Certainly the bathroom is much larger, and the dining room is a nice addition. And having rooms that are the colors of our choice--that was a sweet bonus. I just hope Jenny will grow accustommed to the "Rose room" in time.
However, my stay in the Rose room will be shorter than expected due to a push from our landlord to fill the 3rd floor apartment. It has always been a possibility that I would move back up there, but that idea seemed a long way off. But today I talked to the landlord and reserved it for May 1. So, not two months from now, I will be moving yet again. The good news is, it wasn't that hard to move down, and I only have to move my own belongings upstairs. The pain in the ass is going to be separating out my stuff and getting resettled. The extra twist? I get to share the upstairs with a NEW "roomie" :)
Every time I tell someone (particularly people older than me) that I'm getting an apartment with my boyfriend, they give me that look like "Do you know what you're getting into?" It's funny, because I never really have thought of it as being a big deal. When other people tell me things like that, I bet I gave them the same look. But now that the prospect looms before me, I can't see what the big deal is. Not even my parents gave me that look when I mentioned the possibility. They were just like, oh, well that will be nice. I suppose if I were the first born, they'd make more of a fuss. You'd think since I was the baby girl, they still would. I'm guessing that my brothers have put them through enough trouble that they're really not concerned with me.
Besides, they've met Chris, interacted with him, and think he's a great guy. They ask about the whole marriage bit, and I tell them for now, we need to save up for a while, and then we'll think about it another year or two from now. Heck, I lived with Chris for two months last summer when I needed a place to stay after moving up here for the summer teaching job. They didn't make a fuss then either. Even my brothers were alright with it, and they're usually (Scott especially) pretty protective and big-brotherly about stuff like that.
Naturally I have worries and concerns that there will be unknown stresses and factors involved, but then, it'd be fairly strange if it was all peachy and wonderful ALL the time. I know Chris is going to miss the friends he currently lives with, especially his longtime roomie from freshman year of college. But there's no way I'm going to bogart all his time. For certain I'll be kicking his ass outdoors now and then so that I can chill with Jenny, Tricia, Amber, and any other friends who may be in the vicinity. They're only a 10 min drive away anyway. At least I won't have to haul a backpack of clothes and toiletries over to his place 2-3 times a week anymore. Not that I didn't enjoy that, but the convenience alone of having him over without having to share a twin sized bed will be quite worth it.
Geez I babbled a lot this time. I suppose that's what happens when I don't blog often enough. Plus there's just been a lot of big events going on to actually talk about. For instance, my long term sub job at the high school will be over in a few weeks; I have an interview for another long term sub job next week; my class is getting towards the end, which means I have to get my ass in gear for some of the projects; and I've had a bad head cold all week. Not exactly a thrill a minute, but combine all that with moving last weekend and the prospect of moving again at the end of April, and there's a boatload of shite to do.
Oh yeah, and now that it's March, it means beginning the LONG and totally SHITTY process of applying for full time teaching positions for next fall. Long term subbing is great for the resume, but in reality I do the same work as a full time teacher for less pay and no benefits. God I hope I get a job. If I don't, screw teaching, hello grad school.
I've forgotten what I started moving for...
That's pretty much the case for me right now. Like Tricia said, the K&T B&B is now in business. Problem is, it won't be the K&T for more than a couple months. Then it'll have to have a new name, something like...the J&T B&B or the T&J Extended Stay. They'll figure something out.
It's not that I'm not enjoying 2nd floor--far from it. It feels so much bigger than the upstairs since the rooms are more separeted and the ceilings aren't slanted. Certainly the bathroom is much larger, and the dining room is a nice addition. And having rooms that are the colors of our choice--that was a sweet bonus. I just hope Jenny will grow accustommed to the "Rose room" in time.
However, my stay in the Rose room will be shorter than expected due to a push from our landlord to fill the 3rd floor apartment. It has always been a possibility that I would move back up there, but that idea seemed a long way off. But today I talked to the landlord and reserved it for May 1. So, not two months from now, I will be moving yet again. The good news is, it wasn't that hard to move down, and I only have to move my own belongings upstairs. The pain in the ass is going to be separating out my stuff and getting resettled. The extra twist? I get to share the upstairs with a NEW "roomie" :)
Every time I tell someone (particularly people older than me) that I'm getting an apartment with my boyfriend, they give me that look like "Do you know what you're getting into?" It's funny, because I never really have thought of it as being a big deal. When other people tell me things like that, I bet I gave them the same look. But now that the prospect looms before me, I can't see what the big deal is. Not even my parents gave me that look when I mentioned the possibility. They were just like, oh, well that will be nice. I suppose if I were the first born, they'd make more of a fuss. You'd think since I was the baby girl, they still would. I'm guessing that my brothers have put them through enough trouble that they're really not concerned with me.
Besides, they've met Chris, interacted with him, and think he's a great guy. They ask about the whole marriage bit, and I tell them for now, we need to save up for a while, and then we'll think about it another year or two from now. Heck, I lived with Chris for two months last summer when I needed a place to stay after moving up here for the summer teaching job. They didn't make a fuss then either. Even my brothers were alright with it, and they're usually (Scott especially) pretty protective and big-brotherly about stuff like that.
Naturally I have worries and concerns that there will be unknown stresses and factors involved, but then, it'd be fairly strange if it was all peachy and wonderful ALL the time. I know Chris is going to miss the friends he currently lives with, especially his longtime roomie from freshman year of college. But there's no way I'm going to bogart all his time. For certain I'll be kicking his ass outdoors now and then so that I can chill with Jenny, Tricia, Amber, and any other friends who may be in the vicinity. They're only a 10 min drive away anyway. At least I won't have to haul a backpack of clothes and toiletries over to his place 2-3 times a week anymore. Not that I didn't enjoy that, but the convenience alone of having him over without having to share a twin sized bed will be quite worth it.
Geez I babbled a lot this time. I suppose that's what happens when I don't blog often enough. Plus there's just been a lot of big events going on to actually talk about. For instance, my long term sub job at the high school will be over in a few weeks; I have an interview for another long term sub job next week; my class is getting towards the end, which means I have to get my ass in gear for some of the projects; and I've had a bad head cold all week. Not exactly a thrill a minute, but combine all that with moving last weekend and the prospect of moving again at the end of April, and there's a boatload of shite to do.
Oh yeah, and now that it's March, it means beginning the LONG and totally SHITTY process of applying for full time teaching positions for next fall. Long term subbing is great for the resume, but in reality I do the same work as a full time teacher for less pay and no benefits. God I hope I get a job. If I don't, screw teaching, hello grad school.
