I finally have an update on my job situation. But before I tell you what it is, I have to tell you the weird journey that got me here.
For over a month now I have been checking my district's website to see what new jobs were available. Although I do not want to be a teacher, I still believe that I belong in the realm of education. Around mid-May a position as assistant registrar at the same high school I've been working at for seven years opened. I decided to apply. Even though it would be a steep pay cut I would be doing data entry and organizational things (which I LOVE), I already know and get along with my coworkers, and I know that I could do this job well. I mentioned in passing to my principal that I applied for the job and he asked me to meet with the head registrar for the school. I met with her and she seemed very excited about me possibly being her co-worker. Well, the next day the principal offered me the job! Unfortunately this was during final exams so I had to focus on finishing the school year before I could consider whether to accept the offer or not.
I then received an automatic e-mail from the district with a list of job openings. There was an opening as an instructional coach at one of the middle schools. The more I read about the position, the more I wanted it! I would help other teachers hone their craft, create assessments, and analyze data. I thought I was an excellent candidate because I have experience teaching Spanish (100% of my IB students passed the IB test the last year I taught Spanish) and math (my Algebra 1 students saw huge growth this past year: 64% passed their 8th grade state test but 85% passed their Algebra 1 state test). I got some advice from a personal coach and applied. I was contacted and informed that before they did in-person interviews there would be an online interview of sorts. They sent me a couple of questions and then I made a 2-minute video with my response. A few days later I was informed that I had not been chosen to be interviewed. It was a really big blow. I didn't realize how much I wanted that job until I was told I was no longer in the running.
That same day I was e-mailed by the assistant superintendent in charge of Human Resources at the district. He told me there was a possible job with ESL and would I like more information. Well, yeah! I met with him and found out that the idea would be to assist the high school ESL teacher for half of the day and spend the other half of the day at the administrative office to help with the head of ESL of the district. That would include testing incoming students, many of whom speak Spanish with limited English abilities. It sounded great to me! I would love the opportunity to use Spanish more because I really do miss it. Well, a couple of days later I was told that there were some hiccups and the job described would not actually work with what the district needs right now.
So all of that is to say that I will be the new assistant registrar at the high school! It was a bizarre road but in the end I am really excited for this opportunity. I think the best part is that I will still be able to work with people I love. (I'm looking at you, Brianna, Lacy, and Will!) Sure, I won't be seeing them everyday but it's good to know that I have friends just upstairs when I need an ear. I'm also hoping that the lower stress will translate into a happier me. That is worth all the money in the world!
-Clare G. S.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Sunday, May 19, 2019
From the other side, birth looks like death
"During that time, I was listening to a teacher who said, 'you always have to have some breakdown to have a breakthrough.' When I heard that, it made the hair on my arms stand up. It goes all the way back to birth. The baby’s not comfortable when it’s leaving it’s comfort space and it’s being pushed, through violent contractions to who knows where. So, I sorta developed that into my own saying, 'birth always looks like death from the other side.'" - Rob Seven
You know when you are little how everyone asks you, "what do you want to be when you grown up?" I would sometimes answer a singer or an actress but I always knew in my heart, for as long as I can remember, that I wanted to be a teacher. In kindergarten I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to be a better teacher than the one I had. All the memories that remain of her are times that I was embarrassed or ashamed. In middle school I wanted to be like my math teacher, Mr. Iovinelli. He sparked my curiosity and encouraged me to ask questions. He had an odd sense of humor and treated us like rational humans, even if we weren't very rational. In high school I wanted to help people like my friends helped me in Pre-Calculus and Physics (I'm looking at you, Nicole and Timmy!) In college I wanted to spread my love of Spanish and Mathematics like all my professors did (there are too many to name here). I would even say that teaching was always my dream job. I loved teaching an intro Spanish class when I was a masters student. It fortified me in my belief that teaching was my calling.
Teaching is all I have ever known; it's the only career I've had. Everything before teaching was a job that I knew was merely a stepping stone on my path. I've followed this course and now it's changing.
This will be my last school year as a teacher.
I'm hoping and quite literally praying that this feeling of fear and anxiety is going to abate as I search for a new job or career. I keep telling myself that from the point-of-view of the baby, birth looks like death. I'm staring down the unknown and taking a leap. We'll see what's on the other side. There's a chance that I will find that I was always meant to be a teacher and I'll come back to it but, for now, it's not where I'm supposed to be. Here's to the future!
-Clare G. S.
You know when you are little how everyone asks you, "what do you want to be when you grown up?" I would sometimes answer a singer or an actress but I always knew in my heart, for as long as I can remember, that I wanted to be a teacher. In kindergarten I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to be a better teacher than the one I had. All the memories that remain of her are times that I was embarrassed or ashamed. In middle school I wanted to be like my math teacher, Mr. Iovinelli. He sparked my curiosity and encouraged me to ask questions. He had an odd sense of humor and treated us like rational humans, even if we weren't very rational. In high school I wanted to help people like my friends helped me in Pre-Calculus and Physics (I'm looking at you, Nicole and Timmy!) In college I wanted to spread my love of Spanish and Mathematics like all my professors did (there are too many to name here). I would even say that teaching was always my dream job. I loved teaching an intro Spanish class when I was a masters student. It fortified me in my belief that teaching was my calling.
Teaching is all I have ever known; it's the only career I've had. Everything before teaching was a job that I knew was merely a stepping stone on my path. I've followed this course and now it's changing.
This will be my last school year as a teacher.
I'm hoping and quite literally praying that this feeling of fear and anxiety is going to abate as I search for a new job or career. I keep telling myself that from the point-of-view of the baby, birth looks like death. I'm staring down the unknown and taking a leap. We'll see what's on the other side. There's a chance that I will find that I was always meant to be a teacher and I'll come back to it but, for now, it's not where I'm supposed to be. Here's to the future!
-Clare G. S.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Making Mistakes
Hello, my lovelies!
Long time, no see. I know, I know. I was a busy teacher and never seemed to find the time to write. Whoops. Let's move on, shall we?
The other night my husband asked me to call a student's parents because they speak Spanish and my husband does not. It was not the first time I had done that for him. Every time I ask him to give me a summary of what I need to say, some specifics like current grade, and I take a moment to write down words that I tend to forget (I'll be darned if I ever remember the way to say "to fail a test" that is common outside of Spain).
That day, like always, I made a few mistakes. It's my second language and, unfortunately, I do not get to use it very often now that I no longer teach Spanish everyday. I can't seem to get out of the habit of using the present progressive all the time (darn you, English!) but hey! I used the subjunctive correctly!
I was explaining to my husband that there is one key thing to do when speaking a second language: don't let the mistakes trip you up! I recognize a lot of the mistakes I make when speaking Spanish. My gut says that I should immediately correct my mistake but, honestly, that's a waste of time. As one of my professors pointed out, the purpose is to communicate. If the other party understands your message, you have succeeded. There is no point in trying to be perfect.
When I taught Spanish, my students were afraid to actually speak the language because they didn't want to mess-up. They wanted to put off speaking until they were certain that they would say everything perfectly. You know what happened? They never really spoke Spanish. My students who could best use the language were the ones who threw caution to the wind and made a million mistakes. I only stopped them when I could not understand them.
I need to remember that, when learning something new, it's ok to be a little reckless and make mistakes. The best way to learn is to make errors . . . lots of them! So kiddos, go and spread your wings! Try something new! It's the only way to see what you are capable of.
-Clare G. S.
Long time, no see. I know, I know. I was a busy teacher and never seemed to find the time to write. Whoops. Let's move on, shall we?
The other night my husband asked me to call a student's parents because they speak Spanish and my husband does not. It was not the first time I had done that for him. Every time I ask him to give me a summary of what I need to say, some specifics like current grade, and I take a moment to write down words that I tend to forget (I'll be darned if I ever remember the way to say "to fail a test" that is common outside of Spain).
That day, like always, I made a few mistakes. It's my second language and, unfortunately, I do not get to use it very often now that I no longer teach Spanish everyday. I can't seem to get out of the habit of using the present progressive all the time (darn you, English!) but hey! I used the subjunctive correctly!
I was explaining to my husband that there is one key thing to do when speaking a second language: don't let the mistakes trip you up! I recognize a lot of the mistakes I make when speaking Spanish. My gut says that I should immediately correct my mistake but, honestly, that's a waste of time. As one of my professors pointed out, the purpose is to communicate. If the other party understands your message, you have succeeded. There is no point in trying to be perfect.
When I taught Spanish, my students were afraid to actually speak the language because they didn't want to mess-up. They wanted to put off speaking until they were certain that they would say everything perfectly. You know what happened? They never really spoke Spanish. My students who could best use the language were the ones who threw caution to the wind and made a million mistakes. I only stopped them when I could not understand them.
I need to remember that, when learning something new, it's ok to be a little reckless and make mistakes. The best way to learn is to make errors . . . lots of them! So kiddos, go and spread your wings! Try something new! It's the only way to see what you are capable of.
-Clare G. S.
Monday, November 26, 2018
My rock
I know that just about every married person believes their spouse is the best but really y'all, my husband is so wonderful. Let me start with something small. I decided to put a movie on the tv for background noise while I did some paperwork at home. My husband was in a nearby room but didn't see me make my selection. No joke, not even ten seconds into the movie he asks, "Are you watching Mulan?" That's right, he can identify Mulan from just the first few seconds of music. 💜
Next up is his giving heart. My husband's parents were in town during Thanksgiving and he really wanted to do everything for them. He insisted that we all go out to the nicest restaurant in town (our city isn't huge so don't think of anything Michelin star rated!) and spoil everyone on his dime.
Finally, it's how he treats me when I'm sick. I've had a cough for a few days but yesterday I was seriously ill. I spent hours that morning on the couch, crying and groaning from the pain. He let me choose what to watch on tv, took care of our pets, and kept asking what he could do to make me more comfortable. (Of course, me being me, I kept telling him I would be just fine and not to worry) Well, I finally, uh, lost my breakfast . . . and lunch. While I was hunched over the toilet making the world's most disgusting noises, he stayed by my side and offered me the only thing I ever want when I'm like that: a cool, damp washcloth to wipe my face. He then helped me to bed, brought me a cup of water, and insisted that I nap for a few hours. He knew exactly what I needed. I later thanked him and pointed out that he really did not have to stay in the bathroom while all that went down but he replied that he wanted to make sure that he was quite literally right there by my side for whatever I needed.
I thank God for leading me to Matthew and for his love and kindness toward me everyday. We've been married for four years, together for eight, and I look forward to decades with him. He is my rock and I cannot imagine my life without him right there by my side through thick and thin.
-Clare G. S.
Next up is his giving heart. My husband's parents were in town during Thanksgiving and he really wanted to do everything for them. He insisted that we all go out to the nicest restaurant in town (our city isn't huge so don't think of anything Michelin star rated!) and spoil everyone on his dime.
 |
| Look at him! How can you not love that smile?! |
Finally, it's how he treats me when I'm sick. I've had a cough for a few days but yesterday I was seriously ill. I spent hours that morning on the couch, crying and groaning from the pain. He let me choose what to watch on tv, took care of our pets, and kept asking what he could do to make me more comfortable. (Of course, me being me, I kept telling him I would be just fine and not to worry) Well, I finally, uh, lost my breakfast . . . and lunch. While I was hunched over the toilet making the world's most disgusting noises, he stayed by my side and offered me the only thing I ever want when I'm like that: a cool, damp washcloth to wipe my face. He then helped me to bed, brought me a cup of water, and insisted that I nap for a few hours. He knew exactly what I needed. I later thanked him and pointed out that he really did not have to stay in the bathroom while all that went down but he replied that he wanted to make sure that he was quite literally right there by my side for whatever I needed.
I thank God for leading me to Matthew and for his love and kindness toward me everyday. We've been married for four years, together for eight, and I look forward to decades with him. He is my rock and I cannot imagine my life without him right there by my side through thick and thin.
-Clare G. S.
Monday, November 12, 2018
Fat B*tch
Today was an interesting day for one reason: a student called me a fat bitch. Yup, you read that correctly. I'm a fat bitch. You know what? If that had happened 5 years ago, I probably would have cried. Today? Today I'm going to embrace it.
Let me tell you how this came up. The grading period just ended. This student did not pass. She asked about her grade and I pointed out what caused her to not pass. She was not pleased with my response. When I walked away, she said "fat bitch". It's as simple as that.
I'm ok with it. Yes, I'm fat but I love these curves. Yes, I won't pass a student who hasn't earned that grade so I guess I'm a bitch. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I think I've finally grown a thick enough skin that I just don't care. Or maybe I recognize that I have enough on my plate so worrying about what a teenager thinks about me is not a priority at all. Hate me. Love me. My job is to teach you math. You aren't going to learn if I just pass you along and pray that your next math teacher is able to reach you.
So to all my fellow teachers out there, keep on teaching and keep on being bitches.
-Clare G. S.
Let me tell you how this came up. The grading period just ended. This student did not pass. She asked about her grade and I pointed out what caused her to not pass. She was not pleased with my response. When I walked away, she said "fat bitch". It's as simple as that.
I'm ok with it. Yes, I'm fat but I love these curves. Yes, I won't pass a student who hasn't earned that grade so I guess I'm a bitch. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I think I've finally grown a thick enough skin that I just don't care. Or maybe I recognize that I have enough on my plate so worrying about what a teenager thinks about me is not a priority at all. Hate me. Love me. My job is to teach you math. You aren't going to learn if I just pass you along and pray that your next math teacher is able to reach you.
So to all my fellow teachers out there, keep on teaching and keep on being bitches.
-Clare G. S.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)