The Perks of Being Transparent

I love interviewing (which makes it extra shocking that I chose to cancel the interview I'd scheduled for today). A panel of people asking me to talk about myself and my opinions? I'd do it everyday for the self esteem boost if it fit into my schedule! There was a moment of my Holmen interview I wasn't looking forward to though.

To close out my set of questions for the panel (I'd already taught a short lesson and answered a barrage of questions), I said I was going to explain the situation I was in. Mr. Baer smiled (okay, not what I expected). I described my bind with Pewaukee, and he quietly chuckled (REALLY not expected). He responded that he was waiting for that, and he'd had the dilemma communicated to him earlier in the day. It would seem that choosing to live transparently sometimes has it's advantages.

Obviously, a decision could not be made by my 5pm deadline. The process is more complicated than that, and I was not the only candidate in consideration. However, to the immense credit of the Bob Baer and the Holmen staff, they let me participate in the 2nd interview to speed up the process, should I be selected as the finalist.

The second interview was the scary kind with canned questions and correct/incorrect answers. Yesterday though, it wasn't scary. My favorite part was being asked about making the content relevant  My mock lesson was about applying Newton's Laws to real world situation and during the primary interview I explained that EVERY lesson is (and should presented in a way that is) applicable to the world we live in. Physics doesn't simply live in textbooks. So, as he asked each additional required question about applying content outside the classroom, there was a hint of a smile. I felt known and understood and tremendously happy to be exactly where I was.

After about an hour at home, I forced myself to call Pewaukee and explain that because I hadn't yet made a decision, I'd have to turn down their offer. They then inquired about whether Holmen had offered me the job and when I'd hope to hear back. I told them everything. I've never been good at playing coy, and it didn't seem like an appropriate time to start. By some tremendous miracle, the associate principal granted me another day. Seriously, these people are saints. I worship the ground they teach on.

Around 11am, Mr. Baer called again to offer me the job. I have terrible reception in Holmen though, so it took four tries before we connected over the phone lines. I told him I'd be at the school in thirty minutes. Upon hanging up, I realized that I hadn't brought any more nice tops home. I couldn't very easily wear the same shirt again and couldn't accept a job in my work-out tee. Luckily I have a sister living in a tropical climate and was able to scavenge her winter wear and add one of my mothers necklaces to become presentable.

Our meeting was brief. I had questions, but none that would change my decision. Immediately after, I drove to the middle school to tell my former cooperating teacher and was able to share the news with many other teachers who helped me. These educators provided me with the tools and confidence to succeed...and one kick-butt letter of recommendation. On the drive home, I noticed my class ring still on my finger and couldn't help smiling like I'd won the lottery. Some dreams do come true.

Side Note:
For those of you who don't know the world of education, this is exceptional. I happen to be in a content area with few candidates. I happen to have multiple certifications (math and chemistry) which makes me very flexible. I happen to be a women in a male dominated field, and (because I should give myself some credit) I happen to have great interview abilities and have worked extremely hard. Friends in elementary educations, social studies, foreign language, and the like will probably not have the same "fall in your lap" kind of experience. They might not find jobs until the summer and may not even then. So, know that I don't mean to brag by these posts. I acknowledge that I have been ridiculously fortunate and give oodles of credit to everyone who's journey's to employment will be less glamorous.

Congratulatory flowers from Mom

I have some pretty awesome roommates too...

Fails for the Win

As I set out for my interview this morning, there were a million different things running through my mind, this unfortunately caused a lot of "oops"s along the way. Out of fear of a dead battery, I kept my phone off for most of the drive up. Upon arriving in the parking lot of the hotel where my mother was staying (she's at a conference, so we decided to meet up so I could change in her room and do lunch) I turned my phone back on. I had a missed call from a number with my favorite area code.

Via voice-mail,  the Holmen principal extended the offer of an interview for Wednesday. In my rush to record his extension, I failed to realize that I was taking notes on the transcripts I'd brought for Pewaukee...Oops number one. My mother met me in the lot and led me to her room where I suddenly realized I'd left my suit jacket in La Crosse. Oops number two. This wouldn't have been quite as much of a problem if I hadn't been ill all yesterday, causing my dress pants to also be 2 sizes too large. Oops three?

While we contemplated this dilemma, my phone started ringing. In the excitement of the Holmen interview, I'd thrown my phone back into the bottom of my purse. Despite a beautiful attempt to retrieve the device from the depths of junk, I missed the call. Oops number four. On the phone was a lovely woman from Independence extending the offer of an interview for Thursday (those of you keeping track at home, we're up to three interviews this week).

I pulled out an extra shirt I'd brought along and voyaged down to dinner. We hoped the time spent wearing it would decrease the number of visible wrinkles. My mom lent me a necklace...which I seem to have accidentally stolen...Oops number five. We decided to eat at the hotel, and printed new copies of my transcripts from the lobby.

Ta da!

You know my Mom's cool, or she wouldn't get so many ribbons.

Before leaving, I tried to further dull my wrinkles with the hair dryer...and broke it (sensing a trend?, that's six).

My interview was extremely pleasant. The superintendent is an amazing woman with oodles of personality. To hear her speak is to feel empowered. It is no surprise that she is 2013's Superintendent of the Year...or that the woman sitting next to her was Wisconsin's Associate Principal of the year. I mean it. These women ooze confidence and intelligence.

After a few moments of waiting after the interview, I was bluntly offered the job. It's not just a good offer. It's a tremendous offer. They want me to be part of this workplace (a two year in a row "Top Workplace" winner, for that matter) and they want to help me grow as an educator. When I asked for more time, it came out that I was hoping to wait until after my Holmen interview.

Dr. Sternke pulled out the big guns and made it clear that I was wanted and WOULD be successful in Pewaukee. She also granted me a couple days however. I have until about two hours after my Holmen primary interview concludes to make a tremendously huge choice. Needless to say, I decided a hair cut/scalp, shoulder, and hand rub was in order to relieve stress upon my return. In terms of further stress relief (in case this story gets your blood pumping like mine), I'll leave you with another beautiful picture of my lunch.

Grilled tuna with monterey jack cheese on roasted tomato, lettuce, guacamole, and toasted focaccia bread

A Mini-era I'll Miss

Substitute teaching is not publicized as a glamorous job, and maybe it isn't. There were days when students tried to get away with as much as possible while I was in the room. More often, I encountered students who seemed to despise me from the second I said, "Good Morning!" without explanation. I've been called a "computer nazi", been gossiped about, and on one occasion a student caused me to totally lose my temper in the hallway...oops.

Despite this, with only half a week remaining before my long-term position starts, I'm realizing how much I'm going to miss the last couple months of subbing. This week alone I've had to turn down five high school science direct sub requests because of the imminent change. Mostly I'll miss the students and teachers at West Salem High School and Holmen Middle, where I spent the majority of my time.

Additionally, I'll miss getting to step out of my comfort zone on a regular basis and stepping into another teacher's world. Each classroom is totally distinct, and I've become well versed in getting to know teachers by their desks, notes, and classes. I've repeatedly become (over the course of about eight hours) an expert on exactly one chapter of a textbook. I've run a library, delivered Spanish lessons, spent over an hour on six math problems with one reluctant student with EBD, and led dozens of elementary students through rehearsals for their music concerts.

I might not miss the weird sleeping hours staying up late and waking up early trying to catch jobs. My roommates will have to adjust when the sound from my phone no longer Jobulator with a $100 time-sensitive opening. But, I wonder if it will feel like living in the exhale. After all, there is a special kind of calm that settles in after every student (the kind you've only met about 10 minutes ago, and don't yet know if you can trust) sets down their dripping paint brush, turns off their Bunsen burner, closes their laptop, and lines up at the door (Note: in elementary schools this is a sign of compliance, but in upper grades it's defiance and impatience).

I have been far from a perfect sub, but every so often I've gotten to make a difference in addition to simply carrying out my marching orders.  And as much as I look forward to my new long term position (more on that to come), I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I've had.

Tips for future Subs:

• Smile and greet students as they enter. This is your first chance to convince them that you don't hate your job.
• Listen. The students are the expert in their classroom, not you. They can tell you (sometimes in a really annoying chorus of chaos) exactly what their teacher expects. Beyond this, many students don't feel opening up to strangers, but you are also less versed in reading into their days. You might be seeing them on the worst day of their year or on the very best. The only way to know, and to decide how to accommodate them, is to listen.
• Learn names, because they'll learn yours. After teaching about two classes, students start addressing me by name (without reading it off the board) and can tell me things they remember from the last time I taught. It's really really hard, but learn some names so you don't feel like a douche.
• Eat in the lounge. Sometimes it feels awkward, but it's a great way to meet other teachers, learn about a school, and get more jobs. It easier to sub for an educator you already know, even if you only bonded over discussing the school's cruddy fish patties.

Now, in fifteen minutes I have a phone interview for Independence Middle/High School for math. Time to study their website and stats. Wish me luck!

Decisions Decisions

Confession time.

I've been known to spend several hours contemplating a restaurant menu weeks prior to a visit, and weddings are always precluded by up to seven trips into the living room in various dresses for the scrutiny of my roommates. Buying cereal has always been a daunting task. After all, one must weigh cost, calories, fiber, sugar, and any array of nutrients. Other choices I leave to "random" chance. I distinctly remember using "eenie meenie miney mo" to select several answers on my ACT and flipped a coin to select my college major (a truth I may not admit to, had it not all turned out so well for me). This flaw alone causes me to align with my silly astrological sign of Libra. I certainly don't follow horoscopes, but admittedly can spend weeks comparing options and the weight of each on the grand "scale".

Suddenly, I don't have weeks. I don't even  know if I have "week". I must somehow choose between taking a job I'd never dreamed I'd find, and the possibility of my dream job. Bob (or Drew, or Monty, or Howie...choose your favorite), is offering me door number one without a hint of what could be waiting behind dozens of other doors.

There's hardly a wrong choice to be made. I've been reminded many times over that there are no unemployed physics teachers. But, where to be employed is a much less certain matter. Next week, I'll present a lesson to my old 8th grade geometry classroom to be recorded and sent to Pewaukee. Thursday is the last day for applications to Holmen High School's physics position to be submitted. If all goes well, I'll be offered a job in Pewaukee no sooner than next Thursday and be granted a week to think. By the end of said week (because I've granted myself the authority to plan interview schedules), I will have interviewed (or been informed that I will not be interviewed) for Holmen. If I can ascertain a feeling of promise or hopelessness my decision will be easy...Otherwise there may be some coin flipping going on.

The Wrong Right Job

I set out this morning without the slightest hint of anxiety. I'd spent the night at my boyfriend's parents' home about an hour and a half north of the site of my job interview. I'd been quite well fed, enjoyed my usual Monday night routine of watching DWTS, the fluids in my car had been topped off, and I was sent on my way with a fresh homemade smoothie (I know, I lead a pretty tough life).

Pulling up in front of the vacant high school, I reminded myself that my intent for the interview was simply to gain experience and comfort interviewing, because, after all, I had no desire of moving 192 miles away. As I walked in, the fire alarm lights started flashing (I calmed myself by doing my best to assume it wasn't my fault). I was provided with a sheet of information and ascertained that the class load consisted of only Chemistry and Geometry without any physics. Decision made. I can't teach there. Interestingly, the interview was intermittently interrupted by the sound component of the alarm followed by the principal excusing himself to silence it.

Despite the interruptions, the interview flowed quite smoothly. I began to learn more about the district and tried very hard not to fall in love. The parents in the area are extremely involved, students are tremendously well behaved, curriculum is Common Core/Next Generation aligned, there's strong mentorship and guidance within both math and science teams, if employed I would feel secure with the supportive staff but constantly challenged to improve...and I was informed that I am one of the top candidates. Good news suddently seemed to be the last thing I wanted to hear.

As if this was not enough, my tour began with their brand new 800+ seating state of the art auditorium/theater. Next, my jaw dropped at their beautiful fitness center and spacious windowed hallways. As I walked into the chemistry classroom and began to take in the beautiful set up and views of the lake, from the hallways Phil Phillips clearly sang that they would make this place my home. Poop on you Phil Phillips...the coulee region is my home!

So, I was filled with indecision and frustration. This job was supposed to be lousy. I decided to toodle around the town for a bit hoping it was ugly.

Ugly Houses

Ugly Lake

Suuuper Ugly

It wasn't. Not even a little. After a while, a police officer started following me. Presumably, because someone reported a creepy lady driving around taking pictures. Stupid safe neighborhoods! So, I made my way onto the highway and turned up my audio-book to tune out my thoughts. Hopefully, the district decides to take their time on making their choice so my inner turmoil has time to settle.