It's only been a year..

So, it's been a year since I've written an entry on this blog. However, now is the first time in a year things have been relevant. Let's catch a bit first, shall we?

The past year has been filled with subbing. It was a good way for me to stay inside classrooms, even if they weren't mine. Students are students, and it was beneficial to stay in touch with that. I also made extra money working at a pizzeria, working my way up to Assistant Manager before leaving.

And that brings me to relevance. I now have a teaching job. It is only part time, but it is in a great school district in Northern California. Enrollment seems to be growing, so hopefully it turns to full time quickly. I'll be teaching 2 periods of 10th grade English and 1 period of Journalism. English seems pretty straight forward and I am not really too worried about that class. It's the Journalism that concerns me. It's turning to be a lot more than I thought. With all the fundraising I'll have to do, figuring out which printer would be the most cost effective for the newspaper, and learning how to teach Journalism, I am feeling a little overwhelmed.

I think I'll be fine. I am building a support team around me with the couple of teachers I met, and I get a strong feeling that they all want me to succeed.

Well... (Lots of "I" statements)

It's been a while since I've written in this blog. But, frankly, it is because there is nothing to write about. This entry comes out of frustration and jealousy. This WHOLE summer I did not get one call, one email, let alone one interview for a job. Frustrating. I have no job. I am signed up to be a substitute at a local school district, but I have not received any calls. Even more frustrating. I am now looking for a job to work at in the evenings so I can be free to sub during the day. This search has been fruitless so far, as well. Icing on the frustration cake. I am jealous hearing about everyone who has gotten a job, whether in teaching or otherwise. I just feel so useless. After all my education, working for these qualifications, I am left here letting it go to waste.

I wish I had gone to Vietnam to teach. Hindsight:20/20? Definitely.

I know I will probably look back at this entry and realize it was just a small setback in the grander scheme, but I am disheartened right now.

First Disappointment

So, I did not get that call on Monday. I am disappointed, but in my heart I know that I was not ready for it. Something was just making me feel off about that whole situation.

I got an email yesterday regarding my credential. I am officially in the system and have paid for my credential. In about 10 days, I should receive confirmation.

The job search is still going. I have a few applications out there, so at the very least I hope I can get an interview this summer.

Bah, forget this worrying about the future. I am going to enjoy this BEAUTIFUL day in Santa Barbara.

Ciao.

Geez, I'm so anxious right now.

So, I'm stressing out right now. A lot. I got an email this weekend saying that a panel will be reviewing applications and will make calls those invited on Monday (which, looking at my clock, is technically today) for an interview on Tuesday. I have never been so anxious just to possibly get a call for a possible interview. I'll let you know what happens.

Summer

Well it is officially summer. I walked in the Master's ceremony. I finished my student teaching. I'm done, right? I'm a real teacher. Well, no, not really. I HAVE applied for my credential, but I still have about a month of work to do to finish up my Master's degree. I will be defending it sometime during the second week of July. Until then, I am revising and making changes to it, adding things where necessary. And although this is a daunting task, it is much nicer being able to wake up later and not worry about teaching anymore.

I just have to worry about finding a job. I have applied to a few school districts. One way up in Nor Cal, and two or three in So Cal. Nothing farther south than Orange County, so far. I haven't heard anything other than the bulk email stating they got my application, so keep your fingers crossed. I am not too worried yet. Talk to me in a bout a month and a half and we will see how I feel.

What to do, What to do

So as it gets closer to graduation and finishing up my M.Ed. in the TEP at UCSB, that decision from my last post is looming more and more on my mind. All the job openings that look appealing to me are in Northern California. I did not want to be working to far from my hometown, but it is looking more and more like I will. There is a job in San Mateo that looks really promising. It's a medium sized school. Again though, it is just so much farther north than I would like. It really is a shame that the market isn't much better.

I talked with some people, including family. The consensus seems to be that I should apply and just get a job. I think I will apply once I find all the paperwork I need. At the very least I will have an application out there, and possibly a job interview. Even if I do not get the job I will still have that experience. It is just hard to accept the reality of not being able to work where I want. That's life I suppose.

In other news, my class seems to have finally taken to me. Hey, it only took about 4 months (sarcasm). Instead of giving me attitude, they mostly just give it to one another. Although, that is another problem I am dealing with. I don't know what to say, they are freshmen.

We are reading Romeo and Juliet, and so far it is going fairly smoothly. I wish they would pay more attention when we read aloud, but as long as they are passing the comprehension quizzes and show they are understanding what is going on, I can't ask for much more.

Just thought I'd give an update of where my head is at right now. Plus I'm laying awake thinking about it, so this is my method of getting it off my mind so I can sleep.

It's been a long time

I am barely finding time to update this. I have been extremely tired. I got PACT done and sent away to be scored. I am so glad to have it out of my mind. Unfortunately, I feel a little burnt out now. This week especially. Nothing has really changed. I have been getting the same amount of sleep, but I find myself with very low energy in the classroom which is starting to show in how the students act. I am going to try to sleep more tonight, and hopefully I'll be renewed tomorrow.

I have been teaching The Odyssey. Well, it more like an excerpt. I am trying to focus on the epic hero and epic simile. My class is slowly becoming boring! YIKES! I have to revamp.

Next week is STAR testing. I am planning to do something a bit more low key and geared toward my M.Ed. thesis which is still--how should I say this--coming along. I am really excited about my topic, but the lack of artifacts to write about is a cause for concern. I am trying to fix it this quarter.

Another cause for concern is the current job market. I feel obligated to write about it as it obviously affects me. I am in a mental, 3-way tug-of-war right now. I basically, at this point, have 4 options for the next year. 1) Stay in the S.B., Carpinteria, Ventura area and make a bigger name for myself where people already know me.
2) Move home, live for free, and try subbing and getting my foot in the door in districts nearby.
3) Apply for a job that would take me A LOT farther away from family and where I would ideally like to be.
4) Teach overseas.

The third option is probably the most logical. I can gain experience, clear my credential, and make money. I still cannot help thinking I'm abandoning my family though. The two jobs I am considering (applying for) are in North Monterey and San Diego. I attended a seminar Tuesday night that was pretty depressing. It was full of "caveats" and "poppycock". I kid you not--"true story." Basically, we all got a reality check on the depressing market for jobs. I am hoping that something turns up in the coming months a little closer to home.

Feel free to post your opinions.