I GOT A JOB!!! Now what??? :)

I got a job! I am the newest fifth grade math and reading teacher at Neidig Elementary! You might recall my post, "Interview #3 - The Nicest Rejection I've Ever Gotten!" Well, it turns out that she got the librarian job, and I got the math job! I am beyond thrilled!

I admit, I'm a little late in announcing my news. I got the job about three weeks ago, but with selling not one, but TWO houses we own, moving ourselves, and a sick little one, blogging had to take a back seat for a little while. But now we are all moved in, baby is feeling much better, and I have some quiet time to fill you in! My husband and I spent a couple of days trying to get my classroom organized (note: I said trying). I didn't know where to begin. This is what it looked like my first day...

The previous teacher wasn't quite done moving out of her room and I was told to go ahead and start moving in, so needless to say there was a bit of chaos for a day or so. But we really started making progress after a couple of days. Here is what it looked like last week before we had to take a few days for the house sale/move...

I had planned on the black/pink/green theme when I learned I would be teaching older kids. They didn't mention that the entire school is doing a Dr. Seuss theme for the next two years, so my room is now black/pink/green, and my reading corner is based on "Oh! The Places You'll Go!" (each grade level has their own book theme - fourth grade is The Lorax, fifth grade, Oh! The Places You'll Go!, not sure about the lower grades yet...)

My awesome husband made 3-D mountains and Truffula trees to put up on the walls. Those flowers in the picture have been replaced with hot-air balloons just like in the book (I'll post pictures as soon as I take some). I'm hoping the two different themes will work together. So far, I've been pretty happy. If there is anyone out there that has used this theme before and has any tips or tricks, I'd love to hear from you!

On another note, I completed my PDAS training this week! Whew! Happy to get that out of the way. I'm excited to see how the process pans out. I am very interesting in learning everything I can, and I think the PDAS process is going to be awesome to help me learn how to be a great teacher!

So, Monday starts my first "official" day with teacher orientation, staff development/prep, and more work on my room. I am really excited to see what this year brings! Wish me luck!!! More adventures to come! Stay tuned!

Interview #3 - The Nicest Rejection I've Ever Gotten!

So today I went on my third interview. It was for a fifth grade science and reading teacher. This was "technically" my second interview with them, as the district required a preliminary video interview that the principals in the district (all six of them) could view and decide whether to call you in to meet in person. The principal called me last Thursday and said I did great on my video interview and wanted to meet me. I was thrilled! I was so nervous about doing the video that I was convinced no one would call. So we scheduled the interview for today.

I got to the interview and it was the principal and the three fifth grade teachers. No big deal, I was used to the "firing squad" interview format. They were really impressed with my certifications. They asked some really great questions: How do I handle parent communication? What does reading look like in my class? Name three qualities I have that make me a good teacher. Do I have experience with working in blocks (kids changing classes)? I think I answered really well and we had some great conversation. The principal said they had to make their decision today and that I would know either way by this afternoon.

Two hours later, the phone rang. Now in the time I left the interview until the call back, I was struggling with whether to accept the position or not; whether something closer to home, or more money was going to pop up as soon as I said yes. But after talking to my husband, we decided it would be a great opportunity and that I should just go for it. So, the phone rang and it was the principal. Immediately, she told me that I was one of their top two choices and that it was a really hard decision, but they chose the other candidate - ONLY because she had science experience and I didn't. She then went on to tell me how great my interview was and how impressed everyone was with me and that she really wants to hire me for something. I was still bummed, but she made it a little more bearable. She then said that during their discussion over the candidates, one of the teachers 'fessed up that she is interviewing for a librarian position and that her job may be available as early as next week! AND that this teacher teaches math and reading. SCORE! I really, really want to teach math, so I became excited and told the principal that I would love the opportunity if it becomes available. So I hope you will all join me in wishing Miss Jennifer the very best of luck on her librarian interview!

I had my FIRST Interview yesterday! AND my second!

Yesterday was a pretty crazy day! Last Thursday I got a call on my cell phone (that I, of course, left upstairs). When I checked my phone, I saw a number I didn't recognize. Figuring (more like hoping) it was a school calling, I called the number back. Sure enough, it was a local middle school calling to interview me! I'm so glad I called back. They didn't leave a voicemail, and I could have missed out on this great opportunity. I spoke with the assistant principal for a minute or two and he invited me to come in to interview. He only mentioned that it was a middle school ELA position (English/Language Arts). When I got there yesterday, he said it was for eighth grade ELA. No sweat, right?!?!

The interview went GREAT! I met with two assistant principals and the sixth and seventh grade ELA teachers. They asked great questions and I think I answered them pretty well, considering I had to base everything on my student teaching experience alone. The AP actually walked me to the front door, told me the interview was great and we stood and talked for another 5 minutes or so. It sounds like a great opportunity and I feel really optimistic about it. They are looking to hire someone right away, so I could possibly know something by the end of this week! Fingers crossed.

Then, Sunday, morning, my phone rings. It was the principal from a local elementary school, driving home from out of town. Totally caught me off guard. I never expected to get a call on a Sunday for a phone interview. I was so nervous, I couldn't breathe, let alone talk. I probably sounded like a babbling idiot. We talked for two minutes, literally. She said she was trying to weed out applicants and just wanted to get a feel for my experience. She finished the conversation by letting me know that she was looking for someone with first grade experience and that if I didn't hear back for an interview, she would be calling back in July if there were other positions. So I figured that was the end of that. NOPE! I got a call later that afternoon asking if I could come in the next day at 5:00 p.m. for an interview. YAY!

So I arrive at 4:45 p.m. When I went back to the interview, there was the principal and two other first grade teachers and it was literally a firing squad. I entered the room at 4:55 and was out at 5:05 p.m. That was the fastest interview I've ever had. They were really looking to fill the position pretty quick. Still, I answered all of their questions and seemed to do OK. We'll see...

So now I have two interviews under my belt. If anything, it's giving me experience on what kinds of questions I'll be asked in other interviews, and how I would approach my answers better or differently.

I'm such a planner. I have to have everything planned out and ready to go when I get that call. I've been writing more lists on everything going through my brain: classroom design ideas, decorations, first-day-of school activities, library books, writing centers, etc. There is so much to do!!! And I STILL don't have a classroom - YET! I'm excited and optimistic, though!

A Shout Out to A Great Community of Teachers!

WOW! I've already gotten a couple of members and some great comments from other teachers! How exciting! It's because of you that I'm here. I've gotten some great ideas, motivation and inspiration from reading your blogs. It's what inspired me to start my own. I don't have much experience yet to contribute, but it's my goal to be as organized, creative, and successful as you all. I appreciate you sharing your experience with us "newbies." It has been so helpful to read your blogs and see the awesome ways you all run your classrooms.

So, it's kinda slow around here now that we're into our summer break. I've spent the last couple of evenings updating information and applying for jobs at all of the "local" school districts. When I say local, meaning within a 30 mile radius. Most of the districts are busy placing their internal applicants and surplus teachers, so I am telling myself I probably won't be hearing back until late June, early July, or even as late as August. I am really trying to stay positive and I believe I'll get the call soon. This is truly a test of my patience, as I am the most impatient person I know!

In the meantime, I've been one of those geeky first-year teachers that sit around making wish lists of classroom supplies and drawing out my ideal classroom setting, even down to designing my bulletin boards. I have a laundry list of things I "think" I need all itemized by store and by item number. Once I know where I'll be teaching and what grade, I'll probably thin the list out a bit.

I don't know if I've mentioned, I am also a student. I am about nine months away from getting my Masters in Education. I am specializing in Educational Technology Leadership. It's been stressful, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to complete my masters in 18 months. It was well worth the time and investment. Right now, I am studying Assistive Technology and how technology supports the learning of students with special needs. I would love to hear from other teachers who have experience with students who require AT - anything from wheelchairs to hearing aids, to special computer software or equipment. Do you find teaching students requiring AT a challenge or does it fit right in with your lesson design? Thanks for your input!

I did it!! AGAIN!!!

In my psychotic quest to ensure I get hired this coming school year, I went and took the TEXES 111 Exam. That is the Generalist 4-8 exam. That means I can now teach elementary AND middle school! I am doing everything I can to make myself marketable among the thousands of other teachers looking for a classroom to call home next year. The funny thing is; I registered for the exam over a month ago and took it on May 29 (my birthday, incidentally). I figured it would give me plenty of time to go over the study guide and brush up on the stuff I haven't done in years like (GASP!!) Algebra! Epic FAIL! I walked into the exam room with absolutely NO study time under my belt and still walked out with a passing score. YAY for me!

I'm not quite sure what I want to teach yet. I just want to teach. I hate that it has taken me so long to get to where I am now and I am really eager to not waste any more time. School has only been out for a week for the summer and I already miss it. Don't get me wrong, I love my summer vacation, but I am just really excited to find a job and start my career.

I'm such a geek! I already have a box in my closet full of things I've started collecting for my classroom - storage containers, library books, desk accessories, etc. I've even started sewing pillows for my reading corner. I have all these crazy ideas for my ideal classroom. I can't wait to make my ideal a reality.

My first real purchase as a teacher... My Erin Condren teacher planner. I told my husband instead of flowers for Mother's Day, I wanted THIS! I figured it cost about the same! :)

I DID IT!!!

I am officially a TEACHER! I finished my Bachelors degree in 18 months, I did my teacher certification program, my student teaching for 12 weeks, and thousands of dollars in exams for the most valuable piece of paper (next to my marriage license and our son's birth certificate!) I'll ever own.

Now... here's the HARD part. Finding a job! As students learning to be teachers, we have such delusions of graduer  about our "dream classroom" and what it's going to be like to finally be a teacher. No one prepares you for the frustration and disappointment of trying to find a job that is saturated with candidates (most with more experience than you), or budget cuts, layoffs and competition.