Check it out here: Midway Elementary
But first, let me back up...
I graduated this past May. My student teaching lasted from January through April. I put together a portfolio and began turning in resumes in March. I had two interviews in April: one at Kingsbury the other at Millwood (both are in Sumter).
Millwood then called me back for a second interview in May where I met with the curriculum coordinator as well as the assistant principal. I also met all the third grade teachers and was shown the classroom of the teacher who was leaving a vacant spot. The principal said he would put a call into personnel and to call him back in a week and we would go from there. When I called back, he said there was a hiring freeze and to keep calling back every week. Finally mid July, I got wind that the hiring freeze was up. I called back the next day, Wednesday, hoping for good news. The principal asked me "have you looked any where else?" Stunned, I said no but that I would start. He said he thought that would be a good idea...
Very upset and confused I took an hour to deal with feelings of disappointment and anger, and THEN got right on the internet and applied to three Lexington Districts and Richland 1. I also emailed about 10 different principals and human resource people all over the state in desperate search for a job. I was not sure what I would do the next year. Substitute at low pay and no guarantee of hours? Nanny? Get a full time job which would pay more than a teaching salary does? Where was life taking me?!?!
That next Saturday, he called me and said he was sorry to be calling me on a Saturday and he doesn't usually do that. He also said he hopes he isn't interrupting anything (get to the point already huh?). He went on to say that he had decided to hire someone else who he knew better and saw teach at his school. He apologized over and over and said he hopes and wishes me luck looking for a job. Nice way to rub it in huh? Plus, he knew on Wednesday that he had hired someone else, but he didn't tell me straight up. I'm so glad I did not ending up working for someone like that.
The week prior to that call with Millwood, something told me to start working on a back-up plan. I took my resume to Killian Elementary and Bookman Road Elementary in Richland 2 which is right near my parents house. I also had spoken with a friend who knew someone she thought would be able to get me an interview in Lexington 1. However, I had not heard anything yet and was not concerned because Millwood seemed like such a guarantee... and now here I was, mid July, no job, and no word from those few back ups...
That Wednesday night I prayed harder than I have ever prayed (is this even possible?)... I was so confused. Back in May, I read an article in the Ensign about waiting on the Lord's timing. I felt like I was being patient for Millwood to come through and then that phone call came and sounded like the end. Maybe I read that article and used it to justify my laziness when it came to job searching. All I knew was that the feeling of disappointment was so overwhelming that I felt completely lost. I questioned what I was suppose to do now with my life. How many jobs could possibly be out there in the middle of July? What was I going to do?
The Lord never let's me wonder for long (yes, I realize this now). That very next morning, Thursday, I received a call from Pelion Elementary in Lexington 1 about coming in for a job interview on Monday at 10:00. He said the superintendent over Elementary Schools would even be in my interview!
That Friday, I recieved another call from Killian Elementary about coming in for an interview on Monday at 4:00. Who woulda thought I'd have two interviews in one day!
Well those two interviews turned into 4! I woke up Monday morning and got a call from Alice Drive in Sumter asking if I could come in for an interview. I explained that I had two that day and she requested a phone interview for THAT afternoon at 1:30. I quickly agreed and got ready for my interview at Pelion.
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| My outfit for my day of interviews. Thanks Jocelyn for taking this picture! : ) |
After I left Pelion, Dr. Lynch (over Elementary Schools in Lexington 1 and former principal of Lake Carolina) said she had a school that just had a position open she wanted me to go interview at. I said okay and was on my way to Midway Elementary. I was not sure what I was going to do. Do I accept the first job that comes? Do I say I need time to think and hope the school I really want out of the four calls soon after? Do I list all the pros and cons?
I left Midway in Awe. Laughter filled the halls when I entered and the principal asked me all the right questions that really let me shine! We talked about Covey and Leader In Me program. We even talked about multiple Dr. Newman topics!!!
Next, I had my interview with Alice Drive over the phone. Then I went to Killian Elementary. I left and LOVED that interview also! It was a leadership skill and had a high poverty count but with passing test scores.
As I drove home, I checked me phone and realized I had two missed calls from Midway Elementary. It was from the assistant principal. He extended me the job! He said when I came for the interview and they heard I was a first year teacher, he thought no way were they going to hire a first year teacher for the immersion program. However, they knew better than to say no to Dr. Lynch when she told them to interview me. Come to find out, she left in the middle of my interview at Pelion and called Midway telling them she was sending me right over. CRAZY! He also told me that he and the principal were so impressed and then said they checked me references to see if they were dreaming and found out they were not.
Who would have thought that four interviews in two days would turn into a job offer by 5:00. However the story does not stop there...
The next morning, Sumter's HR called and offered me the third grade position at Alice Drive. Of course, I turned it down. The evening before, the principal from Millwood sent me a text saying he had a position opened. I politely sent him a text back Monday night and said yes, I had already accepted a position but thanks for thinking of me (really?!?). Later that week, I also got a call from Killian's principal for the fourth grade position at his school. Pelion could not offer me a position because I already accepted one in their school district.
I have this thing where I've never gone to an interview and not landed the job. After Millwood, I thought I was ruined. Come to find out, my streak is still good : )
So about Midway Elementary: They have a French Immersion program. What is that?? Well every grade has about 7 teachers (big school huh?!?) 5 of which are all self-contained classes. The other two teachers are part of the immersion program. One teacher teaches the math and science in all french for that grade (even in Kindergarten) and the other teacher teaches ELA and SS. I will be teaching the 4th grade ELA/SS and have 37 students: 18 in one class, 19 in the other. The PTA is very involved and the parents like to be in the classroom on a daily basis. How awesome is that? Finally I'll get to do lunch count and have room parents like when I was a kid! I'll be able to make a difference in a realm that I am familiar with!
I began setting up my classroom. I originally wanted to go with a beach theme with "Make A Wave" in the front of the room really big and "Fill your bucket" incentives, but I was stopped quickly. We had a professional development on classroom environment. The whole idea was that bright colors reflect color and warm colors absorb color and are better for the learning environment. We also were told borders cannot be busy, don't use word walls, and anchor charts need not be placed on the walls. My classroom in order to conform to this research-based theory is going to be way different than I had envisioned. If you know me, you know i LOVE bright colors so this is going to be a big adjustment! : )
Before Pictures of my room:
After Spending two days in my room (still a lot left to go!)
I now understand what being patient and waiting on the Lord's timing really means. I, at 23 years of age, am about to start my career at a school that seems like a dream! This summer has been more than I could ever ask for! I'm so excited to see where life goes from here!!
Small bits of Happiness: Sticky Notes and Cute Dresses
So excited for you, Ash! Congratulations on the new job! :) Love you!
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