Wow. Where do I begin?
It’s mid-July and I still don’t have a job for next year. I’ve been called by both Georgia and Wisconsin schools. (I have given up the whole Naperville thing. It’s quite obviously not working out for me. I’ve received ZERO calls from ANYONE down there.) I’ve done a phone interview for a school in Georgia. I’ve done in-person interviews here in Wisconsin. I still have no job.
I interviewed for a sixth-grade English position. I was so excited that the fact that I would be making $12,000 less a year than I was making Georgia was a bit easier to swallow. I’ve done third grade for so long, the idea of teaching sixth grade really excited me. I went for an interview, and two-and-a-half hours later, I left with an invitation to the final interview that would include the other teachers from the team that I’d be working with. I was ecstatic. I had a good feeling about it. I went to the final interview two weeks later and it went great. I had a good feeling about it. Two days later, I was being told that they picked someone else who was a “better match”.
That was on my birthday. Happy birthday to me.
Last week I interviewed in two different districts. The first one was for the district that I grew up in . . . my hometown. I subbed there, and they loved me. I was requested. I was commended. I was referred to the principal as a must-hire for the next school year. When the principal was telling me a little about the position, he congratulated me for being selected as one of twelve people to be interviewed - out of 248 applicants. (Yes, for that ONE position.) The interview went really well. I felt competent. I answered all questions within the 30 minute time limit. I made them laugh and smile. It was great. They told me that I’d hear either way, either by phone or letter, “early next week.” Today is Tuesday. It’s no longer “early next week”. Since they were doing all twelve interviews in one day, chances are that they decided who they wanted to hire before they left at the end of the day. I haven’t missed a call. I haven’t received a letter. This does not bode well for me. If I can’t even get a job where I graduated (in a place where that IS an advantage), where I was admired and commended, I just don’t even know who will give me a job! I continue to wait for the word.
The next interview, same day, was at a school in a neighboring district. It, too, went very well. I was told that she hoped to have a decision made by “the end of next week”. Two days later, I was called in for a second interview. Today was that interview. It involved one of the other third-grade teachers with whom I’d be working. Again, I feel that I was competent, honest, and gave them some food for thought. I was given a tour of the building. Many of the questions were regarding “reluctant” or “hard to handle” or “hard to reach” students. Why so many questions about that? What are they trying to say??? Hmmmm . . . Anyway, again I wait!
My biggest conflict at this point (besides not being hired or having a job offered to me) is the fact that I will be making about $12,000 less a year. That’s a HUGE pay cut. I don’t know if I can financially afford it. I’m not even able to wrap my mind around it, to be perfectly frank. Am I being greedy? Am I being unreasonable to want to make more money than the total of my bills? Is this too much to ask? Can I not make enough money to pay bills AND live a little? I’m 38, for cryin’ out loud! I cannot “stay” with my parents much longer! I love them. They love me. But I miss having my own place. What to do????
One option is to go back to Georgia. I’ve been telling my family for months that if I couldn’t find a job here for this year, that I would have to move back to Georgia . . . where I can teach. I’m used to living near my family now. My sister Roslyn just had a baby in June! My best friend is having a baby this December! I need to be here for such things!
Oh, the horror of such decisions. *head hurts*
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