Never in a million years did I ever think the day was going to come. I have been hunting for a job in NY ever since I graduated with my master's three years ago. NY highly trains their teachers (those teacher certification exams they make us take to get our certification are such a joke) so you would figure getting a job would be somewhat easy. Oh no, it's not.
I have been on numerous interviews. I always said my dream job was to take over my middle school Spanish teacher's job (I had the same teacher all 3 years) and teach in the district where I went to school. Last year I went on three interviews for it and got cut right before the demo. I kept going on interviews and this year in 2014, I had three alone but didn't go on. It's okay because they were for high school and all my experience is in middle school (even if they say that's not why I still think that hinders me being chosen). I was ready to give up on New York all together. I had looked into what it took to get my certification in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Georgia.
During finals & regents week, I was applying for jobs left and right. The end of the school year/summer is when a lot of jobs come about. I applied for a HS leave replacement in one district. They called me about a week after I applied to come in and do the writing sample. I thought that was odd because usually they interview you & then have you do the writing sample. A week after that, they called me and had said they had me slotted for an interview the next morning at 10:45 and could I make it. You betcha!
I went to the interview and thought it was odd that it was at the middle school when I applied for a high school position. I interviewed with the principal, the assistant principal, the technology teacher, the chair for languages and two parents. Literally 45 minutes later when I was walking out of Panera with my lunch, the secretary called me to tell me they had me scheduled for a demo that Monday morning at 9:15!! HOLY CRAP was my initial reaction!! I literally started freaking out because I had no idea what I was going to do.
Luckily, I have been blessed with such wonderful co-workers (who are now friends) that I called and they gave me advice. I spent ALL my free time when I was not at work planning it, designing the activities, spending tons of money on ink at Office Max (I need recommendations for a printer y'all). I literally could not drink coffee (my lifeline) or eat anything the morning of. I was told there were going to be 12 kids and I had no idea how many administrators. It turned out to be only the chairperson and the principal.
After I was done with the demo, the principal and chair asked to talk to me on the way out. I couldn't tell if it was a good sign or a bad sign. They basically told me right then and there I HAD THE JOB!!! It took everything in my power not to scream for joy. I was told my position would be .4 so I get one 6th grade class to teach Spanish/French and one 7th grade Spanish class. Then, in order to fill my schedule they are going to have me be a TA and pay me both salaries.
I was literally so flabbergasted I did not know what to think. After they were gone talking to me, the principal had me go meet the human resources lady. I met with her, she told me what my salary would be, and then she sent me to meet with the superintendent (tip: always carry extra copies of your resume & cover letter!! I left my stack at home but the principal said he was done with mine so he gave me his copy to give to the superintendent....I didn't think all this was happening that day!) After talking with the superintendent, he shook my hand and welcomed me to the district. I think I was so not expecting it all I could say was "Thank you." HAHA!
As soon as I walked out to my car, I sent my co-worker Georgia (who taught the HS French classes where I worked) a text that said "Um.....I just got the job?!?!!!!). I literally did not know what to think. I kind of cried the whole drive home too because to me, it was like I finally caught my break. While it's not a full load of classes, it is definitely a start. I am getting to teach my dream age group (call me nuts but I love middle school!!).
I got my papers last week with the date of my new teacher orientation, which is August 28th (we don't start school until September 3rd in NY!), so I must be Board of Education approved. I now need to tell my chairperson from the school I have been at the past two years (I am literally so afraid to...I don't know why!) and write my resignation letter. Last Friday I got what position I would have been had I gone back there in September and I would be a one-on-one TA shadow in a special ed classroom....not using my language.
It makes me sad to think about not going back there. I had some great students this past year in 7th grade and I got along great with all my department colleagues. I am sad to leave there but I simply cannot pass this opportunity up. My co-teachers have been so encouraging these past two years and wanted me to get something so they have all be so excited since I told them I got it (two already took me out to celebrate and one is taking me out next week). I am so excited to start planning (once I actually know what books to use or the curriculum in the district is) and start this next chapter in my life! The new Target opened in my town (you know it's bad when you've been there 2 times in one week) and has lured me in with the back to school stuff so I can start creating a stock of things I may need.
Showing posts with label thankful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thankful. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2014
Sunday, November 24, 2013
{Sunday Social - I Am Thankful!}
Happy Sunday everyone! I am super excited for the short week I have at school (just Monday & Tuesday!) and than a break!
This week's Sunday Social with Ashley & Neely is about all the things you are thankful for. After all, this Thursday is the day we give thanks, although we should be doing that all year round!
I'm thankful for a loving & supportive family. I'm the baby of 5 kids and the only girl, so I have always had my brothers watching out for me. We may get on each others nerves from time to time (in what family does that NOT happen?!) but I know they are always there for me.
I'm thankful for my friends. I always had a small circle of friends growing up and to me, I always thought it was better to have a small circle of friends you REALLY got along with then the friends you were merely acquaintances. They all "get" me and have my back. I wouldn't trade any of them for the world!
I'm thankful that I have been blessed to work with a wonderful department at the school where I work. I work with 5 different teachers on a daily basis and I love it because it helps me see different teaching styles. I have a great chairperson and I feel like they are my second family, especially after everything they did for me on my birthday. I know I will miss them when I eventually get my own fulltime teaching job!
I'm thankful for three little munchkins who call me Aunt Kristin. The best days ever were when each of them were born (12-6-04, 9-11-06, 4-4-09). They bring such joy to my life.
Steven Louis, Emma Grace, Sara Elizabeth
I'm thankful for coffee, because without it, I would certainly NOT be functioning during the day!
I'm thankful for my little sweet munchkin dog, Lily. While she may have her psycho moments at times, she is fun to have. She will never fill the void in my heart from Shadow, my last dog, but she puts a smile on my face. After all, she lets me put a Christmas hat on her!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
{Sunday Social - Happy Birthday to Me!}
Today is my 26th birthday! Happy Birthday to me!! I definitely feel like I am now getting older. Ever since I turned 21, I said it was all downhill from that age ha ha. Thursday night we did a combined birthday dinner for my brother (his birthday was Thursday) and me. Last night I went out into the city with some friends and had myself a good old time..until I got sick. Today, I worked and my boss & coworkers sang happy birthday to me with a buttercake dessert and then gave me free avocado eggs rolls (such a yummy dish!).
I have a feeling that 26 is going to be a great year. Onward & upward is my new mantra.
And since today is Sunday, it's also time for Sunday Social!!
Link up with Neely & Ashley!
This week's theme is what you're thankful for because it is the week of Thanksgiving!
I have a feeling that 26 is going to be a great year. Onward & upward is my new mantra.
And since today is Sunday, it's also time for Sunday Social!!
Link up with Neely & Ashley!
This week's theme is what you're thankful for because it is the week of Thanksgiving!
I'm thankful for my family. We may fight from time to time and get mad at each other. But deep down, we all really do love each other and do anything to help someone out.
The family 12 years ago at Mark's Wedding! I dont think we have another one all together since then, ha ha.
I'm thankful for my friends. They are always their for me, offer an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and provide laughter when necessary. They are the type of people that won't care if you call them at 3am in an emergency. My life would not be the same without them and I am so blessed to have each one in my life.
(Just a few snapshots of my closest friends)
I am thankful that I have a job. In today's economy, it is hard to find a teaching job, let alone a job. While I may not have my own classroom yet, I am thankful that I am being allowed this opportunity. I am also glad my restaurant job at CPK allows me to still work there as well to have more spending money.
I am thankful for my dog, Shadow. She may have an unstoppable appetite and barks at you constantly when you come in the door but I love that little cocker spaniel.
Shadow last summer when she had surgery on her foot.
After the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and seeing how it destroyed some communities near me, I am extremely thankful I have a home that is still standing (with VERY minimal damage to it), food to eat and clothes to wear. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to make you realize to be thankful for the small things in life.
So, what are you thankful for?!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Gratitude.
In the month of November, we celebrate Thanksgiving. A day we celebrate the things we are thankful for in our lives. What we give gratitude for.
Since the destruction that Hurricane Sandy left on the path of the Eastern Seaboard, NY, NJ, CT are suffering. Homes are gone. Personal belongings are destroyed. Momentos are ruined. Cars were crushed by falling trees, washed away or totaled due to the storm. Homes were flooded. People died. Many people were without, and still are without power. There is a shortage on gas and people are going nuts over this, getting into fights at the gas stations. Really? You're going to punch someone because of gas when people are left with NOTHING?
Hurricane Sandy, like any other tragedy, has people coming together. Many celebrities and companies are donating. Melissa Gorga, from RHONJ, posted a picture of her family shopping at Target to get supplies to donate. Bethenny Frankel donated $50K to the Hurricane Sandy Relief. Chelsea Handler donated $100,000. Kellogs Cereal company donated $100K worth of cereal to Feeding American to help with the relief. Disney & Viacom donated $3 million dollars. Lowe's donated $1 million. Dwyane Wade, a Miami Heat guard, donated his game salary check to the Hurricane Sandy Relief fund. You can simply donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
When you see the devastation across the Tri-state area, people's personal belongings on the street, it makes you sit back and thank how grateful you are for what you have. Yes, many of us are complaining that we may not have power and/or cable & internet. Or the gas shortage (which is slowly, but surely, resolving itself).
But think of what you DO HAVE. I am grateful that I have a home to live in, we have heat, we have enough food. I am thankful that none of my extended family was harmed during this hurricane and the most damage we have suffered is shingles off the roof of a house and tree branches came down. I am thankful to have power again (after only having lost it for 24 hours...I know people who live 20 minutes from me that STILL don't have it). I am thankful I didn't have to evacuate my house. I really am just grateful for everything I have.
So while the gas lines may be long and frustration being high, just take a moment to think of what you do have. And take a moment to think of how you can donate. That $5 latte at Starbucks...two of them could donate $10 to the relief process. Donate a bag of clothes you haven't worn in a year to families who have nothing. Remember, it could've been you.
Since the destruction that Hurricane Sandy left on the path of the Eastern Seaboard, NY, NJ, CT are suffering. Homes are gone. Personal belongings are destroyed. Momentos are ruined. Cars were crushed by falling trees, washed away or totaled due to the storm. Homes were flooded. People died. Many people were without, and still are without power. There is a shortage on gas and people are going nuts over this, getting into fights at the gas stations. Really? You're going to punch someone because of gas when people are left with NOTHING?
Hurricane Sandy, like any other tragedy, has people coming together. Many celebrities and companies are donating. Melissa Gorga, from RHONJ, posted a picture of her family shopping at Target to get supplies to donate. Bethenny Frankel donated $50K to the Hurricane Sandy Relief. Chelsea Handler donated $100,000. Kellogs Cereal company donated $100K worth of cereal to Feeding American to help with the relief. Disney & Viacom donated $3 million dollars. Lowe's donated $1 million. Dwyane Wade, a Miami Heat guard, donated his game salary check to the Hurricane Sandy Relief fund. You can simply donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
When you see the devastation across the Tri-state area, people's personal belongings on the street, it makes you sit back and thank how grateful you are for what you have. Yes, many of us are complaining that we may not have power and/or cable & internet. Or the gas shortage (which is slowly, but surely, resolving itself).
But think of what you DO HAVE. I am grateful that I have a home to live in, we have heat, we have enough food. I am thankful that none of my extended family was harmed during this hurricane and the most damage we have suffered is shingles off the roof of a house and tree branches came down. I am thankful to have power again (after only having lost it for 24 hours...I know people who live 20 minutes from me that STILL don't have it). I am thankful I didn't have to evacuate my house. I really am just grateful for everything I have.
So while the gas lines may be long and frustration being high, just take a moment to think of what you do have. And take a moment to think of how you can donate. That $5 latte at Starbucks...two of them could donate $10 to the relief process. Donate a bag of clothes you haven't worn in a year to families who have nothing. Remember, it could've been you.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Turkey Day!
Let's take a look back at some of my favorite Thanksgiving photos/memories:
"It tastes like feet!"
Oh Joey scared of Monica dancing with the turkey on her head.
The one where Chandler was in a box!
Source: youtube.com via Emily on Pinterest
"It tastes like feet!"
Oh Joey scared of Monica dancing with the turkey on her head.
The one where Chandler was in a box!
Mocklate anyone?
"Now I'm a Koala bear!"
Oh season 5!
TOW Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs
Season 10...their last Thanksgiving episode.
Their first meal!
The "I Hate Rachel Green" fanclub!
Season 3. One of my favorite Thanksgiving episodes.
Oh, right. These aren't pictures of my family and/or friends. FRIENDS had the best TV Thanksgiving episodes.
Today being Thanksgiving, I am thankful for so many things: my education (to be 25 and have my bachelor's and master's degrees is amazing), my health (even though I have this hacking cough right now, so many people are much worse off in this department than I am), my family (love all my siblings), my mother for everything she has ever done for me, my friends who stand by me through thick and thin, my boyfriend who treats me like a queen (as it should be!), my nieces and nephew who I love to spoil, a warm bed to sleep in, a car that works to drive, actually having a job that I enjoy working with the people there (most of the time when they are not whining!), TV to lose my bad days in, clothes to wear, and a heart full of love.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Amidst stuffing our faces with Turkey (or fake turkey) and pie, let's remember what we are thankful for. <3
Today being Thanksgiving, I am thankful for so many things: my education (to be 25 and have my bachelor's and master's degrees is amazing), my health (even though I have this hacking cough right now, so many people are much worse off in this department than I am), my family (love all my siblings), my mother for everything she has ever done for me, my friends who stand by me through thick and thin, my boyfriend who treats me like a queen (as it should be!), my nieces and nephew who I love to spoil, a warm bed to sleep in, a car that works to drive, actually having a job that I enjoy working with the people there (most of the time when they are not whining!), TV to lose my bad days in, clothes to wear, and a heart full of love.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Amidst stuffing our faces with Turkey (or fake turkey) and pie, let's remember what we are thankful for. <3
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thankful Month: Friends
November is an exciting month! Turkey day! Black Friday shopping (I have never participated but want to one of these years). My birthday and my brother Brian's birthday. It is also a month to take a moment, sit back, and think of how lucky you are and what you're thankful for. Sometimes we are living life in such a fast frenzy we forget to do this from time to time.
Lately, I have been thinking about how thankful I am for the circle of friends I have from both home, school, and grad school. Friends on different levels. Friends for different reasons. But each one of them means the absolute world to me. So I am taking a momentary break from my paper writing at the school library before class to write this:
I am extremely thankful to have such a wonderful circle of friends (all above who I met in college) who have been there for me through thick and thin. I wouldn't trade ANY of you for ANYTHING in the world.
I am thankful that I have a best friend who understands my insanity. Even though we are thousands of miles and states apart, we remain in touch. How we ever went two years without seeing each other is beyond me. I really hope I can follow through on my plan to move closer to you in the South!
I am thankful for the friends at home. I love each of you for your different talents (April-journalism, Jeannette - passion for languages/traveling, Amanda-you're an awesome musician!). So many inside jokes with each of you.
I am thankful for a group of friends who have no issues with acting like we're 5 year olds for a week at Disney. BEST VACATION! You make me feel like I can always be myself when I am around you and for that, you have endless entertainment. :)
I am thankful Allison and I are friends for many reasons. My Vera Bradley obsession rubbed off on you. You were one of the easiest people to live with in college. You drove me to the hospital when you had to be at class at 9am and were so tired the next day but you made me go before I died from what the health center was trying to do to me. I can count on you for anything.
I am thankful Shannon and I are friends because she is one of my best friends from college. She is one of the first people I go to when I need help and we click on so many levels. Who else is going to go to a Britney Spears concert with me?! Or Taylor Swift?! :)
I am thankful Amanda and I have become so close over the past few years. "Remember when you used to hate me?!" (True story, I was scare of her in elementary school). She is my real-life "Oprah" and she often asks me "How would you survive without me?" LOL.
I truly could go on and on with my friends. But sometimes I sit back and think of the people I have become close with lately (because of work or something) and count my lucky stars to realize how blessed I am.
Lately, I have been thinking about how thankful I am for the circle of friends I have from both home, school, and grad school. Friends on different levels. Friends for different reasons. But each one of them means the absolute world to me. So I am taking a momentary break from my paper writing at the school library before class to write this:
I am extremely thankful to have such a wonderful circle of friends (all above who I met in college) who have been there for me through thick and thin. I wouldn't trade ANY of you for ANYTHING in the world.
I am thankful that I have a best friend who understands my insanity. Even though we are thousands of miles and states apart, we remain in touch. How we ever went two years without seeing each other is beyond me. I really hope I can follow through on my plan to move closer to you in the South!
I am thankful for the friends at home. I love each of you for your different talents (April-journalism, Jeannette - passion for languages/traveling, Amanda-you're an awesome musician!). So many inside jokes with each of you.
I am thankful for a group of friends who have no issues with acting like we're 5 year olds for a week at Disney. BEST VACATION! You make me feel like I can always be myself when I am around you and for that, you have endless entertainment. :)
I am thankful Allison and I are friends for many reasons. My Vera Bradley obsession rubbed off on you. You were one of the easiest people to live with in college. You drove me to the hospital when you had to be at class at 9am and were so tired the next day but you made me go before I died from what the health center was trying to do to me. I can count on you for anything.
I am thankful Shannon and I are friends because she is one of my best friends from college. She is one of the first people I go to when I need help and we click on so many levels. Who else is going to go to a Britney Spears concert with me?! Or Taylor Swift?! :)
I am thankful Amanda and I have become so close over the past few years. "Remember when you used to hate me?!" (True story, I was scare of her in elementary school). She is my real-life "Oprah" and she often asks me "How would you survive without me?" LOL.I truly could go on and on with my friends. But sometimes I sit back and think of the people I have become close with lately (because of work or something) and count my lucky stars to realize how blessed I am.
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