Waiting, waiting, waiting

So I am waiting to hear from my interviews.  I know I didn't get the jobs that I interviewed for that were office jobs.  Which is okay with me for now.  But I still haven't heard from the teaching interviews.  The nanny interview is moving on to the next interview step which is to meet with the parents and see if it is a good fit.

I e-mailed the people I interviewed with for the teaching positions.  So far only on has responded and they are doing their final interview today so I should hear today or Monday.  That is the Bullhead City job. 

Sanders, AZ - the Navajo Reservation seems interested in me they are supposed to be contacting my references.  The next step with them is an interview with the superintendent of the school district.  I have to wait for them to contact me about that interview.

Today was an awesome day, until...

I recieved notice from unemployment that my previous emplolyer is fighting my unemployment.  Blah!

I took a standardized test at the Tualatin Workforce training center today.  It is supposed to make me more marketable in the job market.  We will see.

I also received an email about a nanny position I applied for and did an initial interview for.  I interviewed with the owner of the nanny agency who the job is through.  Now I get to interview with the parents who are seeking a nanny.  yay!  I am so excited.  The job is in The Dalles, OR so not far away.  Possibly making more than the teaching job in Idaho.  That would be good.

I am trying to stay positive.  I have a lot of things working in my favor - several good interviews. 

Jobs...

Spent Maggies naps applying for jobs.  Not a lot of jobs out there that I qualify for.  I am smart and I have my education but other than teaching jobs, the only other jobs I qualify for are office jobs.

Office jobs pay - shit.  So does teaching.  But at least with teaching there is the fill me up factor.  Teaching makes me feel good.

Tomorrow Maggie goes to daycare.  I spend the day taking tests at the unemployment office.  Should be fun.  I should also hear about whether I got an of the jobs I interviewed for by Friday.  Pressure is on.

Making a dress for Maggie

So I spent hours applying for jobs today.  And for lunch I decided to try my hand at sewing a dress for Maggie.  Specifically a pillowcase dress.  I was going to go to Goodwill and find some pillowcases but my mom came home from the hospital and my dad had to go to work so I search my moms sewing stash.

I made a pillowcase and then turned it into a dress.  At this point it would probably fit a 3 year old, but Maggie is still at daycare so I have to wait for her to get home so I can see how it looks.  I am excited the only other thing I have made for her is burp clothes.  Yay!  So this dress is Monkey pattern - sock monkey to be exact.  I am going to make another one that is elephants. 

Over the river, through the hood, to Glenns Falls, Idaho I go...

So driving 9 hours goes a lot faster than one would imagine.  A few stops here and there to stretch my legs and I made it.  First stop - Mountain Home, ID.  SPending the night here in a lovely hotel.  Tomorrow I will drive the remaing 25 miles to Glenns Ferry, Id.

I just re-read the essay I wrote about why I should be chosen for this position and I cannot believe they even wanted me to interview.  I apparently did not re-read the essay before I sent it in.  It is horrible.  The bold are words I should have added and words that are crossed out should not be there.  I am embarrassed to show up tomorrow.

When I talked with the district rep on Friday she made it seem like they had several candidates - but seriously I wouldn't even interview me after reading this essay.  There have to be candidates who did a better job writing their essays.

I reviewed my application and the steps to get hired are as follows:

1.   Preliminary screening of applications
2.  Additional information may be requested
3.  Finalists will be required to attend a personal interview at the district office (This is the step I am on.)
4.  Recommendation for employment will be submittetted to the board of trustees
5.  Notification of employment will be sent to the candidate.

                I am applying for the 2^nd grade teaching positions – I feel that some major strengths I have that will support my role as a second grade teacher are; classroom management, reading, hands on teaching, my belief that every child is an able learner – and that their the teacher needs to meet their needs individually and my creativity when it comes to teaching.

                I have been extensively trained in Love & Logic for classroom management.; I have also learned some organizational strategies to help facilitate management of large groups of students.  Some organizational strategies I have used include; Ccard Ssystem –  where each student has a pocket on a chart in that pocket there are 4 cards, red, green, yellow and purple a card is flipped when behavior warrants.   Numbers/letters/words on the floor to help create line, and creative grouping strategies to name a few of the strategies I use in my classroom.

                I am a passionate learner and teacher – my students can see that by how I treat them and their learning.  I believe that as a teacher I need to teach to their zone of proximal development, I have seen all my past students flourish when I am teaching to their ZPD.  Teaching to each student ZPD gives them the opportunity to be challenged and to learn new and exciting skills and to feel that they are a competent learning.

                Every student can learn – but not every teacher can teach.  I am the kind of teacher who makes sure my students have the opportunity to learn.

Yay! Another teaching interview!!

I received an e-mail today from Glenn's Ferry School District in Glenn's Ferry Idaho.  Which from my research is a small town of 1,600 people.  Pre-K - 12 are all housed in the same building.  I am a bit nervous about this interview - if is a better location than Sanders, AZ but just not sure.  Plus they are requiring an in person interview.  So on Sunday I am driving there, then turning around and riving back home on Monday after my interview.  As long as I can find childcare for Maggie.

Childcare is where I am going to have trouble, mom is having foot surgery so she won't be able to take care of Maggie.  Dad is seeing if he can get two days off - but I can't count on that working.  I put it out there on Facebook asking if anyone could help out - still waiting.  Lots of people are saying sorry wish I could - which I do appreciate but isn't particularly helpful.

Fingers crossed that something will work out.

Bullhead City, Arizona Job Interview today

I think this job interview went well.  Maybe not as good at the interview on Tuesday in Sanders, Arizona.  But I think that had to do with the number of people interviewing for each position.  In Sanders, Az, I have a feeling I was probably the only applicant.  The BHC job I know they had 5 people to interview for 2 positions - gives me a 20% chance.  Hmmm...

Sanders, Az - is located in NE Arizona between Flagstaff and Albuquerque, NM.  150 miles to each of these cities.  The closest grocery store is 40 miles West, but there is a Dollar General in Sanders.  Starting Salary for me is $36, 120 (that is Masters + 18 credits) health insurance would be $200 for myself and Maggie and any other family members that may belong to me. ;)  Rent for the manufactured home I would live in would be $85 - 175 per month that includes internet and water. Since this school is on an Indian reservation I would possible be able to get some of my Federal Student Loans written off.  Downside is that childcare for Maggie would be really difficult.  This town is so small there is no daycare, I would en up having to leave her with one of the other teachers spouses or hiring someone to be a nanny.  I really would prefer to put her in a daycare.  She needs the social interaction.

Bullhead City, AZ - I am not sure what starting salary is hopefully in the same neighborhood.  Bonus to this city is that it is a real city.  I would be able to find childcare for Maggie, there would be activities for Maggie and I to do on the weekends and it is only a few hours to San Diego to see my Aunt and Uncle.

I am really hoping and praying that I get the Bullhead City job.  I know it is the hottest place in the U.S.  but location wise it is the best.  I should know next week if it is still an option.