Dreams...

My dreams were dealt a major blow today.  While I’ve had four interviews, thus far, it was the 4^th Grade class at Ocean Breeze Elementary School I had my heart set on.  For this interview I prepared like a mad man; I was focused and primed, ready to impress.  I put on my best shirt and tie, primped my hair, and shinned my shoes.  I was ready!

 

I nailed the interview, hitting key points on all the questions, had great rapport with the principle, and made what I thought was a good impression.  I felt good, in fact I felt great.  So then I waited.  Two days go by, then three.  They had fifty some teachers to interview, so I kept telling myself to be patient.  Four days gone, then it’s the weekend.  My hopes began to fade, and then today it came.  The thanks, but no thanks, letter.  I was (am) devastated.  I REALLY wanted that job.

 

So what now?  Is the dream of being a teacher over?  The pursuit of this dream has presented me and my family with numerous challenges.  I have kept my focus on becoming a teacher and I will never know what other opportunities I have missed.  I have been on unemployment for nearly a year now, somehow we have managed, but did I let my teaching dream come before the well-being of my family?  These questions have given me sleepless nights as I pondered what might have been. 

So what is next?  I am at a major crossroad in my life.  There is only one thing I want more than a teaching job, and that is a happy family.  I can (and will) continue going to school, which is certain.  But I must decide if I will continue to be a substitute for the upcoming year.   Is moving my family and uprooting my daughter from her school to pursue a teaching position elsewhere worth it?  Should I hold out hope for a short term position?   While getting additional certifications will help out my resume, they take money, and are just not feasible right now.   The decision will be hard, but it needs to be made…and quickly.

 

Dreams are not always obtainable, and sometimes we fall short.  It is the pursuit of these dreams that keeps us going, and I have not given up on mine.  I will continue to work hard in pursuit, but the road just got a little steeper. 

So here I sit, an unemployed teacher...

So here I sit, an unemployed teacher, inspired yet disconsolate, wanting to use my life experiences to educate and inspire kids, any kids, to unlock their potential.  I have had three interviews thus far, but it seems administrators are not willing to take a chance on a first year teacher.  I completely understand especially given the fact that well over 100 teachers applied for these positions.  So I trudge on, doing the only thing I know how…preserver!

As I wait for the next opportunity I find myself dreaming of time when I finally do get my opportunity.  I have so many visions of things I would do in my classroom that I sometimes find it hard to sleep.  I play out classroom scenarios in my mind, fine tuning them, just waiting for the right time.  I see lessons about the cloning of the Woolly Mammoth and what it would do to the Eco-System.  I see PowerPoint Slides, I see dioramas, I see inspired learning, and most of all I see fun.   I dream about inspiring kids about science through things like Steve Spangler’s Sick Science.  Using quick but amazing science demonstrations to peak the kid’s interest then pushing them to explore further, perhaps develop their own science experiments.   

I want to explore the world with my students, reaching out to my contacts in Japan, Germany, Korea, and other countries.  We will share our daily routines exploring the differences in our cultures and how the size of the world has shrunk since the invention of the internet.  We can share pictures and blogs expressing our interests while reaching out to others to join our conversations.  I see using technology to its full potential bringing information into the classroom and opening the minds of the students.

I see math becoming interesting as we explore Kahn Academy.  Using the tools available to instill the basic skills of mathematics into the young minds, then allowing them to grow at their own pace, surpassing the standards if they so desire.  Imagine a 4^th grade child taking on the challenge of Algebra!  Anything is possible!

I also see a community being brought together through the school.  Using blogs and other social media to keep the community involved in what our school is doing.  Peaking community interest will increase community participation and provide much needed support.  All too often members of the community are unaware of what is going on in the schools.  By opening the doors, through social media, we can allow community members to see the good our students are doing.

I see so much happening, but alas, it is but a dream of mine, for now…