you get that big girl job!

Good evening class!
Even though half of the year has literally flown by I'm going to share some of the craziness from the beginning of the school year.

I guess the first thing was getting hired. That might be a key to this whole process. I applied EVERYWHERE. From...Washington, D.C. to Dallas, Texas. I felt like if it was a somewhat cool city/town that had a school in it. I applied there. My main hope was to work in Little Rock due to that fact that my college roommate was going to grad school there. Plus, I like the piano bars and the .75 fee on the debt machine. It is the small things in life that get me excited about a location.

For months I did applications. It started during student teaching which seems like a lifetime ago. I swore if I had to write my personal theory on education just one more time I was going to flip out. I felt as though I had the world on my back to get a job. I mean I was student teacher of the year for my university. What would happen if I didn't get a job? How would I answer those questions later on about not being able to get a job? Everyone was right. I am a female not a coach trying to be a History teacher. That is all I ever heard throughou college.

But, in true Kristen style I applied to the system that I student taught in late in the applying for job phase of gloom. I remember the first phone call for an interview. A phone call. I had just received letters saying that the school system was not hiring but thanks anyway. I was a Lynn's Paradise Cafe (a favorite of mine...yum). I was so nervous. Then the next day. Another one. Finally.

I ended up having 2 interviews. I was beyond nervous. I really wanted to impress these principals. Especially, my second interview. It was were I did the bulk of my student teaching. It was a breeze. I was so proud of myself. Who knew I would be so good at it. I felt like I had it in the bag with just the questions, comments and points of conversation. (Later I would find out that I had the job before I interviewed! WOW!) Then the waiting game happened. I needed to hear that I got it. These two weeks took forever. Lots of tears and stress. I finally started applying to other jobs thinking I didn't get it. But, Jesus knew I had it.

Here is my advice for interviewing for a teaching job...or any job really.

1. start getting ready double the amount it usually takes you. If you only take an hour. Make that two.
2. wear LOTS LOTS LOTS of deodorant. Matter of fact, bring it in your car. You will sweat so much! I don't even get that sweaty working out sometimes.
3. wear comfortable shoes. I know you are just sitting there for most of it. But, I had fear in my shoes when a principal offered to take me around the school. Thankfully, she didn't. I was prepared to go barefoot or crawl.
4. get there early. I might had taken it to an extreme. I got there 10 minutes before the 10 minute early point. I wanted to make sure I got there on time.
5. have good pump up the jams music on. Like you are about to go into Battle Royal.
6. have 3 questions prepared. Even if you already know the answers. Just bull shit it. It makes you look better. I don't know why. But, it does.
7. Speaking of bull shit. Get ready to pull crap from your butt. Think back through your classes or any child interaction thing ever in your life. And use it. They will ask you all sorts of questions and you have to have an answer. But, not what is in your head of "duh", "do I look stupid" or "what the f***!"
8. have your mom by the phone to call when it is over. Just someone to listen to you replay the whole thing to make sure you didn't sound like a foul.
9. have something fun prepared to do to relax. Get your mind off it. I went to Memphis and shopped with my bff, MJ, also a teacher. It helped so much to get away from the whole sitution.
10. pray! I said a prayer throughout the whole application journey of doom. "Dear God, take me where you need me. I want to be where you have it chosen for me for my purpose for your even greater purpose." It worked ladies and gentlemen. Image that. Jesus took care of it. The power of prayer.

Go out. Apply. A LOT. You get that big girl or boy job.

Exit Card of the day:

spell check everything. duh. But, you will be amazed how simple judgement of your spelling will go down.

Lets Try This Again

Good Morning Class.

I have been forced by my lovely best friend Lynn to give blogging a second chance. And, as someone who believes in trying everything twice. Here we go again.

However, the angle on this blog is to give the highlights, the low lights and down right humorous things that happen within the four walls of room 58.

I'm a 6th grade Social Studies teacher. Yes, you read that correctly. 6th grade. Middle School. Be prepare to be BLOWN away by endless stories and advice.

Exit Card for the day:
High 5 your best friend.