Second Meeting

In about an hour, I'll be leaving for the second meeting with the private school! Needless to say, I'm very excited and hopeful that they will offer me the job today. David and I have decided that if they offer it, I will accept it. I've talked with principals and other public school personnel, and the options there are ridiculously limited right now. They're actually firing teachers rather than hiring them. Obviously, they are not looking good for recent graduates. They're scrambling to place tenured teachers. So, that's why I decided to look into the private sphere.

Check Out this Website

While googling information about centers and setting up a classroom, I came across this website. It has a plethora of great information.  Check out MsPowell.com when you have a chance!

Finally!

The principal called me today!  She wants me to come to talk to the other third grade teacher next Thursday!  I'm getting very excited about the possibility of knowing what's going on next school year!  I so hope that I won't be subbing anymore... I am ready for a classroom to call my own!  

Anxiously Waiting

I still haven't heard from the school where I had my interview!  I'm really hoping that they will call before the week is out.  It's almost more nerve racking after the fact than before.  I guess I'm not-so-patiently waiting to hear.  

Interview Today

My first interview was today. I believe the interview went really well. I got there a little bit early (which I've heard is what you're supposed to do), and gave myself time to gather my composure. By the time the principal called me into her office, I was feeling okay. She had my resume (which I had copies of, just in case she didn't have it with her) and basically went through it, asking me questions about each section. She asked me how I had helped students improve their reading fluency, how I planned to manage my classroom, what my strengths and weaknesses are, the whole nine yards. She also asked me about my student teaching experiences, as well as why I would enjoy teaching in a private school. Regardless of whether she offers me the position or not, I'm very thankful for the experience of a teaching interview. After perusing my teaching portfolio (a whopping 100 or so pages), she took me on a tour of the school. By the time I left, I had been with her for over an hour, something various people have mentioned is a good sign. We were even able to visit several classrooms. All of them looked very inviting, and the students seemed very respectful. At the end, she told me that she was going to be calling my references and get back to me very soon. I thought that it was a good indicator. After leaving the school, I stopped by the post office to mail a "thank you" note to her for her time. 

All in all, I feel good about the interview. I answered the questions in a way that she seemed to like, my educational philosophy "matched" the school's very well, and I was familiar with most of the curriculum (except Six plus one writing... I'm going to have to look that one up tonight). They are very big into integrated instruction, which is good, as well as Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences (which is amazing... I'm so glad about that! I did lots of research on that in college and it was my personal goal to reflect his intelligences in my lessons).

Volusia County is going through a hiring freeze due to budget cuts, so it's looking like private education is going to be my best bet. I'm still going to be taking my resume to different public schools in hopes of getting an interview with them. 

Owen and Mzee

If you haven’t read the book Owen and Mzee, you’re missiong out! It’s a wonderful, real-life story about a hippopotamus and an Aldabra tortoise who become friends despite their differences. Owen, a baby hippo, was separated from his family during a horrible tragedy and turns to Mzee for help. This is a great book to help students understand diversity, resiliency, and other important issues.

Owenandmzee.com has real-life pictures of Owen and Mzee in their home in Kenya. It also has some great resources for students, teachers, and parents.

Owen and Mzee have even made it on YouTube!

Gifted Hands

If you haven't read the book Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, I suggest that you go to the library and pick it up.  It's the story of a well-known neurosurgeon who has saved the lives of many, many children. It's also a guy version of the "Cinderella story."  A young man grows up without much in the world and ends up being a top physician at Johns Hopkins.  It's an amazing story!  I think portions of this book could be read to even very young children to show them what can happen if you put your mind to something.  

Visit Dr. Carson's website to find out more about him.