Yep, I spent another summer applying for the teaching positions that were posted, and not receiving any calls. I don't really take it personally anymore. When you find out that for every position posted, there are hundreds and hundreds (one even had close to 1,000 responses) of applicants, you know that unless the person reviewing potential candidates knows you personally, then you aren't likely to get a call. Who can possibly review that many applications? It does amaze me, however, that people seem surprised when you tell them that yes, you have been applying to jobs, but no, you have not received any invitations to interviews. Yes, there really are THAT many people looking for teaching positions in this area.
So yeah, the first day of school was a tough one for me, as it always is. I did get to see my God-daughter off to the bus, as is tradition. She is in first grade, and her sister is in third, so it was fun to see the other God-parent and our friends. Certainly took a little of the ache away.
My plan this year is to continue to substitute in the district that I always have been associated with, and then to pursue a Reading Endorsement... essentially, this means I could be a Reading Specialist, working with kids who struggle to read, a Reading Coach, working alongside teachers to create better reading programs within their classrooms, or become a really awesome reading teacher within my own classroom. I chose this endorsement because I have always loved reading... immersing myself into books and places and allowing my imagination to come alive. And I was a natural reader... I learned to read early and easily, and I was encouraged by my parents to continue. So with that as my own background, I find that I struggle to understand the "how" of reading, as it came so naturally to me. There is a program called Read Oregon that allows me to take the courses online, from many of the state universities. After being registered as a non-registered student (yeah, read that again...) at 4 universities, I start my classes in a week.
I also thought maybe I would try something different, and volunteer at my God-daughter's afterschool program, holding a "Homework Club", a place where kids could come and do their homework, have a teacher available answer questions, explain how to solve that math problem, or just give them the quiet space to work. So many students these days don't have parents at home when they come home from school, or who are able to help their kids with homework. I contacted the principal, and through the grapevine, I found out they were also looking for an afterschool art teacher for the K-2 ages. I thought, "I could do that!", and added it to my list. I met with the principal and the AmeriCorps volunteer (who is my boss), and the principal told me that as a paid employee, I would be much higher on the potential list for new hires when teaching positions were available. And he told me that as a paid employee, I would be better regarded than a volunteer. Finally, a principal who is honest and knows how things really work! So, they decided to take me on as a paid employee Art Teacher for their afterschool program, and then I volunteered to do the Homework Club. I start next week.
I am putting together art projects at home, so that I have examples to show the students. My goal is take pictures and post them here...
See you next week!
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