So, I’ve started talking out loud to people about my decision to move to the South. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s the way it is.
I have been scouring the internet for information on schools in Georgia for hours and hours and days and days. (It’s one of the big reasons my journal is so sparse right now on entries.) Georgia is the main focus of my search, but I’m also looking into North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, etc. I’m trying to keep my options open but not so open that things will seem to overwhelmingly huge.
Through this search, I’ve found that many of the districts that I am looking in have web sites, and within those sites are applications that I can download. So, I’ve been downloading and printing applications and the other documents that I need to complete. Many of the districts require reference forms to be completed, so I had to ask people to act as a reference. Then I had to get the reference forms ready for them, including stamped and stamped envelopes for them to send their forms in (because they don’t come back to me—confidentiality). That takes a really long time! I suck at completing applications. Seriously. I have to do them over sometimes. They have to be perfect. The thing I really dislike about filling out applications is the job history and stuff. I just don’t recollect the dates and names and numbers and addresses of all these places, and I just don’t have a record of them either. Argh.
I’ve also had to update my resume, cover letter, and reference page to send in. That took a lot of time, too. I owe Sandy a big thanks for helping me with my cover letter. I have a high anxiety regarding that, so she was wonderful to proofread and help me with my wording. Thanks, Sandy-bear! Once that was done, I had to find the perfect resume paper. Gosh, one wouldn’t think that to be a difficult task, but it was. Heh.
With the resume, cover letter, and references all done, I could start sending out applications. I also applied through the great site TeachGeorgia, which many of the public school districts utilize. I’ve been searching their site to keep abreast of the openings in the counties that I am interested in.
It’s so much work! It’s so tiring! I want things to be so perfect so that my chances are not stilted by piddly little mistakes. Some districts want copies of test scores. Some districts want copies of my college credentials. Some want my college transcripts. Trying to sort out what to send where is cumbersome, to say the least. The process has been started, though.
I’ve also applied for Georgia certification to make sure that that is not a hindrance in a possible relocation. Fortunately Georgia has reciprocity with California, so that is a good thing. However, my certificate/license is provisional. It doesn’t expire for a couple more years, but to have a clear credential, I must take a class that I already took in Wisconsin. I may want to consider doing that before the end of the year. The spring session at Cal-State starts in April. See? Lots to do! It would be easier to stay where I am, but who said I wanted convenience and ease?
How is school going?
School is going very well. The same challenges are there, but all in all, things are good. I also have a new challenge! I have gotten my first ELL (English Language Learner) student. He speaks no English, just Spanish. It really makes me wish I had paid closer attention in my four years of high school Spanish with Senor Fafalios. Darn it! It’s interesting trying to communicate with him. He seems like a nice little boy, but I think the lack of verbal communication with the other students is affecting his behavior. He can’t understand or help the kids understand him so there are some issues with rules and shtuff. We’ll work through it, though. He does have an ELL teacher for an hour every day.
We’ve been muddling through our new Math series. Fortunately, we started multiplication, so we set aside the book for awhile. After I taught the skills, we pulled the book back out to do some practice work. For the most part, the students really seem to be taking to their facts fairly well.
We just finished our second-quarter writing assessments, and it was a great pleasure to see that every single student (well, with the exception of one) had improved over their first-quarter assessments. Yay! Their stories were great! They really are so very creative. We still have a lot to work on, but they are improving steadily. I’ve also been assessing their reading skills and finding that they have improved in that area, too. Wow. What an affirmation that is. I really do love my job!
That brings me to today. My life has been filled with applications and school. I wake up early, get to school a couple of hours early, leave school late, and get home late. When I get home, the last thing I want to do is be on the computer, so there’s been little action in the ol’ journal.
Journal, I promise to pay you more attention.
With that, I bid you adieu until the next time!
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