Monday, October 18, 2010

Another Chapter

“Crazy I know, places I go

Make me feel so tired

I can see how people look down

I'm on the outside”*


Remember when I mentioned on Facebook I had an interview for the Building Sub job? And then I didn’t get it? Many of you wrote comments that something better would come along. At the time, the assistant principal said there would be ETS positions opening up and she hoped I’d still be around in the fall.

At the time I wondered if that was a hint. I knew the Social Studies teacher was pregnant. For the next month, I checked the job postings.

And I was “still around in the fall” (lucky me), so when the job posted, I submitted my application and sent my resume and cover letter separately to the assistant principal. One day, when I came in to sub P.E. (looking my best in yoga pants and sneakers), the assistant principal said I’d be called for an interview.


The Thursday before Columbus Day, I had an interview. It was for an Extended Term Sub Social Studies Position for the teacher going out on maternity leave. In the room were three parents, two teachers, and a principal for an ETS, which I didn’t expect. I thought I did well. In addition, when asked if I’d brought a portfolio with me, I handed mine over. I noticed the applicant before me didn’t have one, but I don’t know if the man after me did. I didn’t really know my competition or if the administration had someone in mind beforehand and the interview was just a formality.

When I finished, the principal said they’d decide quickly and there’d be some overlap between the ETS and the teacher.


I waited.

No call Friday, but I wasn’t expecting an answer that soon.

Then it was Columbus Day weekend.

Tuesday, no call.

By Wednesday, I was

D

O

W

N.


That evening, I came home from my daughter’s ballet and found I’d missed a call from the assistant principal at the school. Nothing to get my hopes up about. When I’d had the Building Sub phone interview, the assistant principal was kind enough to call and tell me I didn’t get the job.

Then I opened my computer. The assistant principal sent me an e-mail advising me to call. Now I couldn’t help but hope. I tried the number, but I got a general message because it must’ve been the main number.


An hour later, the phone rang.

I got the job.

Could I start the next day?

“Sure!”


After hanging up, I had to cancel four daily sub jobs I’d already taken.


The day before I got the job, I had published a post about bloggers who disappear. I don’t plan to do that. But I’m going to be busier. I’ll have lessons to plan, work to grade, discipline issues to recover from, parents to contact, report cards to send, conferences to attend.

The house still has to be cleaned. Laundry still needs to be done. Children still need help with their homework. Meals still need to be prepared.

And I had promised myself to write 1k per day on Naked Eye for the month of October. I’m at around 18k words. I don’t want to abandon this project. But I can’t do it all and I have to maintain a level of cleanliness. And sanity.

So I’m embarking on a whole new journey, albeit temporary. The teacher said she plans to return around the end of February, beginning of March.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I haven’t been writing about subbing lately. I didn’t feel the passion and humor about posts as I did during the last school year. But mostly it was because I’d actually started interviewing, and didn’t want some administrator to stumble upon the blog and think I was putting down any school or teacher or student. While I think the posts have always been about me, and what I got out of any situation, I might not get to explain that to someone who decided not to interview me or hire me because of the blog.

Now I’m at one place every weekday, with students and teachers I knew previously, and some of the parents whom I also know outside this particular school.

I’m still a substitute teacher, albeit one with a long-term assignment. There are already posts I’ve written in my head, but I can’t share. (It’s kinda killin’ me.) But I won’t mention the new job much, except how it’s probably going to impact my domestic and writing lives.

My hope is that if I keep writing about writing, I hope it will push me to actually write.

I’ll probably post less and visit you less often than I’d like. But if you comment here, I’ll still be sure to visit.

And I’m still hosting a Blog Haunting from 10/28-11/1. We’ll haunt blogs, find friends and critique buddies. There will be a couple of giveaways too!


For the next few months, I’ll be frazzled.

But I’ll still be here.


“It's that little souvenir of a colourful year

Which makes me smile inside

So I cynically, cynically say, the world is that way

Surprise, surprise, surprise, surprise, surprise

Here's where the story ends”


*- Gavurin, David; Wheeler, Harriet. Song “Here’s Where the Story Ends” The Sundays.


61 comments:

  1. First of all - CONGRATS! That's so fab, Theresa; I know how much you wanted this! So here's to you!

    And of course we all understand the outside life pressures! Juts please PLEASE don't go missing for TOO long - I'd miss you! There's always FB of course... :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats Theresa!! I hope you have a wonderful time in the classroom and meet some amazing kids!! Very cool :-) :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Interesting point about not wanting to post something that a future employer might see. However, in your case, I assume they'd just find you witty and charming on paper, and even more curious about what you'd be like in person. Hope you're enjoying the new gig.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congrats!! That's awesome.

    I understand that you don't want to put too much information about the job out here, but I'd love to hear how you like the job once you get all settled in.

    I'm excited for you! Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so happy for you!

    Good luck with your work and your writing.

    See you whenever you're around. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations on the new job! That's such great news!! =)

    Don't worry about taking a break from the blog. We all have to do it from time to time. We'll be here when you have time. <3

    ReplyDelete
  7. Raising my coffee cup in a huge congrats, Theresa! This is great news. Isn't the whole group interview process interesting? My daughter went on a couple for h.s. english positions, and was surprised they had all the English teachers sit in on the interview! You must be so excited to settle into this position, wishing you the very best :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats! That's wonderful, Theresa, I'm so happy for you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats on the job! That's wonderful! I hope it goes swimmingly! Can't wait to hear the upcoming posts.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations, Theresa! Happy for you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. YAYAYAYAYYAYAYAYAAY!!!!!!

    :-) Hooorah!!!! Oh I am so so so so soooooooo HAPPY for you!! Oh this is truly GOOD!!! You have stability and that's just fabulous!!!! I am so so so over the moon for you!!

    I hope you are not reading this and are out CELEBRATING!! :-)
    Cos you deserve to!!! Big hugs all round! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations. I hope you enjoy the new gig.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's good news! Being super busy isn't all bad, is it?

    ReplyDelete
  14. I understand how something's got to give when you have a huge new time commitment! :o) We'll be here when you have the time.

    But I'm soooo excited for you. This will be a great new venture and hopefully is just the step up you've been looking for.

    Cheers and hugs,
    Jackee

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations!! That's so exciting. And, good luck! :)

    Sounds like you'll be busy and I certainly understand why you might not be around as often. But I, too, hope that you won't go missing for too long - you'd be missed!

    ReplyDelete
  16. YAY! I'm glad to know you'll still be around but how cool of you to land a good job! I'm so excited and happy for you!!!

    Busy bee, but do stop by and say hi :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I know what you mean about being careful what to blog - especially when trying to get a job - it's hard though - so much good blogging fodder happens at school!

    Congratulations on getting the job. Awesome news. x

    ReplyDelete
  18. How wonderful for you :o))))

    Stop and take deep breaths when you feel a frazzle moment and take care XX

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congratulations! That is wonderful news. I know how much you have wanted this! I am very happy for you. You will be great!
    Remember take care of yourself.
    Smiles to you.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Splendid news. It's just a matter of time before you receive even more wonderful news of a permanent placement. You've got what it takes!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congratulations!!! I knew something like this would come along! I completely understand about posting less and not posting about work. That's how it is for me, too. But I'm really excited for you! I know you'll be busy, but feel free to email me whenever you'd like -- I'd love to hear how the job is going. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm wearing a huge, cheesy grin! Woohoo! I'm also jumping up and down on the inside-I can't on the outside 'cuz Roo is sitting on my chest and playing with my halloween earrings!

    I am sooooooooooo happy for you!!!! Yay!

    I'm gonna be scarce, too. I signed up for NaNoWriMo! Yikes!

    This absolutely made my day! Congratulations and I'm sure you're going to do uber fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  23. @ Talli, I don't think I'm going to stay away too much. Even if I have tons of work to do, I'll miss you guys too much. Plus I'll need a break. One of the groups is really tough.

    @ Paulgreci, thank you. I appreciate it.

    @ Judy Mintz, maybe when this gig is over and I have to sub at the end of the school year, I'll post about subbing again. You're very sweet.

    @ Tiffany, I may have to e-mail you and get some pointers dealing with difficult kids, since you did an ETS at the second-chance high school last school year.

    @ Misha, thank you. I'm going to try to have a presence in both worlds.

    @ Shannon, we all do need breaks, but I don't want mine to be as long as this job.

    @ Joanne, it's amazing how many teachers they get subs for so they can sit on interview committees. Here, they have a few parents as well.

    @ Nicole, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  24. @ L.T. Elliot, thanks. Maybe I'll share a little bit.

    @ Len, thanks! So far, it's been more challenging than I expected, but I hope to get into a routine soon.

    @ Old Kitty, it's strange going to the same school everyday. I haven't done that in a year-and-a-half. Once I acclimate to the kids and the new routine, I'm really going to appreciate it. Right now, it's all panic-mode for how much I have to do!

    @ Liz, thank you.

    @ Amanda, I am going to sorely miss writing time. But I'm excited to have relationships with the kids. Several of them were genuinely happy to see me.

    @ Jackee, I hope this is the step I've been looking for too. If I do a good job, I can get good recommendations. And I hope the experience + the recommendations will go a long way.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congratulations! It's nice to hear good news...

    ReplyDelete
  26. @ Jessica, I'm still going to post, comment, and visit and comment. Just not as much as I used to!

    @ Jen, I'll still stop by! I want to hear all the good things you guys are doing.

    @ Clutterbug, you're wise to be anonymous. I have my name plastered everywhere!

    @ Niki, thanks for the advice. I've already had several frazzle moments. Actually, I'm just frazzled!

    @ Choices, I don't feel great yet, but I hope to get there. Thanks for the kind words.

    @ Paul C, I hope you're right. Thanks for the optimism!

    @ Shelley, I'll definitely stay in touch. Going from school to school made it harder for anyone local to know exactly which place I was talking about. That's not the case anymore.

    I hope you're more reliable position is going well.

    @ The Words Crafter, your enthusiasm is contagious.

    NaNoWriMo - cool. Good luck! Try to post periodically and let us know how you're doing. I'll check when I can.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congrats! Sounds like a great opportunity. Even if it seems like you don't have enough ours in the day it will all work out and your life will be more enriched for it. What level are you working at/specific time period in history?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congratulations and good luck with your new endeavor!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Congrat Theresa--you deserve all the credit with the amount of work that you invested in searching.

    I hope you enjoy the challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  30. @ Elena, thank you.

    @ Msteachermam, thanks for the reassurance. Right now, I'm still trying to learn their names, come up with lessons, and figure out where to move them so they're quiet. It's 7th and 8th-grades. 7th is starting with Islam. 8th is working in Feudalism.

    @ Susan, thanks!

    @ Slamdunk, thanks. I do feel challenged right now!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hooray, Theresa! I'm so happy for you...I know you've been wanting this for a long time. What is the likelihood of a position like this one leading to a full-time teaching job? I'm thrilled that you are going to be doing what you love IN ONE PLACE for awhile! :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so thrilled for you, Theresa.

    I know you'll be busy, but please check in and say 'hi' occasionally. You can give us status reports without saying too much about the job. :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Theresa .. wonderful news .. that is great .. and a really good omen .. and social studies too.

    So pleased all is working out .. cleaning and food will get done .. sanity needs caring .. but it will be absolutely great .. especially as you know quite a few people ..

    Just enjoy - and laugh as you work this weekend .. Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  34. Congratulations on the job Theresa! I'm happy for you. I'm sure it'll be great to go to one place every day, rather than have to go to several different schools in one week. That's still something I'm dreaming about for myself...:)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Yay and congrats! I hope things go well and settle down soon.

    ReplyDelete
  36. @ Ant, thanks. If the teacher decides not to come back from maternity leave, I'll finish out the year and apply for the full-time position. Right now this feels so new and I have so much to get good at, I can't even think that far ahead. My life has been broken down to periods.

    @ VR Barkowski, thank you! I promise I'll check in. It's my goal to write back to everyone who commented here tonight. If I can stay up that late.

    @ Hilary, thanks. I will LOVE weekends now. I'm lucky because my kids are helpful and when I work as much as my husband, he takes over a lot of the responsibilities.

    @ Neurotic Workaholic, I'm glad to be in one place, but it also means I have to get these classes to respect me. If it's a bad day, I can't move on to the next gig.

    I hope you get done and have your own classroom soon. From the wit in your blog, I bet you're a great teacher.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Theresa .. that's great to know the responsibilities get allocated and split - it certainly helps.

    Cheers Hilary .. can I borrow them all sometime? Please - I asked nicely?!

    ReplyDelete
  38. @ HIlary, I would but you're so far away. ; )

    My son vacuums, does the litter box, and periodically does the dishwasher. My daughter dusts, mops, and helps set the table. My husband takes shares with cooking and helping with the kids' lunches in the morning.

    I know, I shouldn't complain. But I'm so good at it.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Woooooohooooooo!!!!! :) I'm so glad this job came through for you!! That's fantastic news! Splurge on a dinner out & celebrate :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh Theresa, congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you! I know how long you've been waiting for this.

    And don't apologize! We all know how hectic life can get. Just do your best, and I know you will, and enjoy this. You deserve it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. I should count your blessings!! Good for you - is all I can say .. excellent to know they help out .. when the work comes winging around .. so pleased you've got it .. Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm happy to hear that you got the job, Theresa!!!

    It's cool that you won't disappear on us like other bloggers, but I even disappeared for two weeks because of my big move-in with college and trying to get adjusted to a totally new lifestyle, so some disappearances are kind of necessary in the blogger world. And you know what they say, "Distance makes the heart grow fonder."

    I hope to be hearing more from you, so write on!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Well, first of all: CONGRATS on the job!!! I'm so happy Theresa, this is awesome!
    But I will miss you so much! I wish you good luck on your writtings, and also with the daily activities!You can do it, yes you can! This is all so excitting!

    ReplyDelete
  44. CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Who knows...sometimes after people have babies, they decide to not go back to work.

    Celebration hugs! *hugs*
    Love,
    Lola

    ReplyDelete
  45. @ Jemi, thanks. There's been no time to splurge. I was submerged right into the job.

    @ WritingNut, I'll need to keep in touch. You'll be my refuge from the madness!

    @ Hilary, I do appreciate it. It's impossible to do it all myself and do it well.

    @ Vatche, glad you're back. I've disappeared a week here and there for vacations. Now I'll just have to be on a slow down instead of stop. I hope I can find time to write.

    @ Clara, thanks for the pep talk. I was feeling good yesterday but overwhelmed today.

    @ Lola, that idea terrifies me right now. I want her to return tomorrow and explain a few more things. The idea of doing this until June... AACK!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Yeah! I knew you'd get a job soon. But, alas, it is bittersweet because there will be less of your blogs. Oh well, I'll stop being selfish. I am so happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  47. @ Missed Periods, thanks. Middle school is a challenge, but I'm trying to get it all together and make some time here.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Congrats on the new job!!

    You'll find a balance in the working/blogging/writing world soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. @ Erica, thank you. I'm looking for that balance now.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Do your students read your blog? If they do, I would leave a homework assignment for extra credit and an A+! That will teach them to snoop.

    Of course, you have to keep your blogs tame.

    ReplyDelete
  51. @ Walter, I'm sure if my students stumble across my blog, I'll hear about it.

    It's frustrating not to share things that have happened in the short week I've been there.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Congratulations on your appointment. Valuable experience will be gained I am sure and you will be an enrichment for your students.

    ReplyDelete
  53. @ Paul, thank you. So far it's been pretty hectic, so I hope to get into a good rhythm soon.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Glad to hear you're prioritizing!

    Thanks for posting as much as you do. You'd be terribly missed should your voice go silent!

    Oh hey, eat salmon or tuna fish eyes! They're loaded with DHA to help your memory!
    ; j

    ReplyDelete
  55. @ Alesa, thank you. I miss blogging, along with free time and writing. The Halloween Haunting was a great way to have a post where I didn't have to do too much. But I miss reading the other blogs.

    Eyes? There must be some other way!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Eating the fatty fish themselves would work as well to a lesser degree... Eel, Tuna, Salmon... Yummm...
    Kabayaki eel (http://japanesefood.about.com/od/seafoodfish/a/aboutunagi.htm) delicious... Easy to make too.
    Otoro, too sneakily succulent to resist but too expensive to buy more than seldomly (http://mall.idv.tw/tour01_otoro.jpg). And salmon needs no introduction, right? ; j

    Delicious... Oh right, and arguably they're good for your memory too...

    ReplyDelete
  57. @ Alesa, I'm all for tuna and salmon An excuse to eat more sushi.

    ReplyDelete