My I had an interview in Mesquite this afternoon. This interview came from me emailing principals. I emailed some prinicpals in Mesquite last week. I got a response back last Friday, asking for my references. I replied back with a list of 5 references. She called me on Monday to set talk with me, and we set up an interview for today. I interviewed for a fourth or fifth grade self-contained position.
My friends have told me, recently, to go in positive and sell myself. I am doing that. I take in my scrapbook and show it. My scrapbooks show some of the things I have done with my students.
Being departmentalized for the last 5 1/2 years, is that hurting my chances, espically for a self-contained position?
God's timing is better than my timing. It is getting harder and harder to wait for his best.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Lights Flashing
I like having a number of devotionals books to use every day with my devotions. One book I am using is called, Devotions for Women on the Go. The authors are Stephen Arterburn and Pam Farrel. Today's devotion is titled, "Lights Flashing". The passage to read was 1 Corinthians 4:2-5 and today's verse was verse 5, "When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due."
Lights Flashing
One Saturday morning I read a newspaper story about a man I'll call John Smith. He was driving erratically, so the highway patrol pulled him over. They gave him a battery of sobriety tests: walk a straight line, touch your nose, etc. When they were about ready to administer a breath test, an accident happened on the other side of the freeway. So they said to John Smith, "Stay right here!" But Smith got in the car and drove home, parking the car in the garage.
He told his wife to tell anyone that he was home sick all day. A few hours later there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Smith answered to find two highway patrol officers.
"Does John Smith live here? She nodded the affirmative, and they asked to see John Smith. John cam out of the bedroom, faking a cough.
"What can I do your fine officers?"
"Were you pulled over for a highway citation today?"
"Oh no, I've been sick all day," John said, coughing.
"Well, someone using your identity and your address was pulled over today. May we see your car and clear this up?"
"Sure officers." John cofidently walked out ot the garage. He was thinking, its been hours. That engine is nice and cool, and I am totally going to get away with this!
John threw open the garage door, and there in the garage was the patrol car with the lights still flashing!
What are you thinking you'll get away with? Wher are you cutting corners? What lights are flashing in your garage?
Lights Flashing
One Saturday morning I read a newspaper story about a man I'll call John Smith. He was driving erratically, so the highway patrol pulled him over. They gave him a battery of sobriety tests: walk a straight line, touch your nose, etc. When they were about ready to administer a breath test, an accident happened on the other side of the freeway. So they said to John Smith, "Stay right here!" But Smith got in the car and drove home, parking the car in the garage.
He told his wife to tell anyone that he was home sick all day. A few hours later there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Smith answered to find two highway patrol officers.
"Does John Smith live here? She nodded the affirmative, and they asked to see John Smith. John cam out of the bedroom, faking a cough.
"What can I do your fine officers?"
"Were you pulled over for a highway citation today?"
"Oh no, I've been sick all day," John said, coughing.
"Well, someone using your identity and your address was pulled over today. May we see your car and clear this up?"
"Sure officers." John cofidently walked out ot the garage. He was thinking, its been hours. That engine is nice and cool, and I am totally going to get away with this!
John threw open the garage door, and there in the garage was the patrol car with the lights still flashing!
What are you thinking you'll get away with? Wher are you cutting corners? What lights are flashing in your garage?
Interview #8
Today, I had an interview in Corsicana. I interviewed for a fifth grade math position. In this interview was the principal, assistant principal, and one of the fifth grade teachers. I was the first of 4-5 interviews they were having today. The prinicpal said he would know by the end of the week. I haven't taught math in 6 years, and I think that will hurt me.
I am just in a wait and see time in my life. I pray about the job hunting thing just about every day. I am trying not to worry, and just leave it in God's hands. I have applied to too mandy school districts to drive around and drop off my resume at the different schools. With the price of gas, I'd really do not want to have to buy gas more than once a week.
Some districts, you can't email the principals. Some you can. The Lord knows what is best for me, better than I know what is best for me.
I am just in a wait and see time in my life. I pray about the job hunting thing just about every day. I am trying not to worry, and just leave it in God's hands. I have applied to too mandy school districts to drive around and drop off my resume at the different schools. With the price of gas, I'd really do not want to have to buy gas more than once a week.
Some districts, you can't email the principals. Some you can. The Lord knows what is best for me, better than I know what is best for me.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Interview #7
Today, I had an interview in with an intermediate school in Mansfield ISD. That is the second time I have interviewed with that district. An intermediate school usually only houses fifth and sixth grades. I do not know exactly which grade and which subject I interviewed for . I am assuming for science, since we talked about science. This principal I interviewed with is new to the school, moving down from middle school. I thought it went fine.
About 20 minutes after getting onto the internet, and just before leaving my email, there was an email from a prinicpal from the middle school in Corsicana. He wanted to schedule an interview for 7th grade science. After talking, he remembered that we spoke back in May. (I also reminded him). We talked for a few minutes. He said I might get a call to set up an interview with a group of people. He is putting my name down for the 7th grade science position.
Only had one interview for this week. None for next week, yet. It is difficult trying to email principals. Some districts, you can't email them at all, and some, you can, with still a few, there are some and some you can't email. I have applied to too many school districts, and in a big circle to drive around and drop off my resume at the differernt schools. I have driven just a little over 50 miles one to schools and over 100 miles round trip for interviews. The Lord knows what he is doing, and in his time, he will lead me to the school he wants me at in the fall. I would love to know soon, but God's timing is better than my timing.
About 20 minutes after getting onto the internet, and just before leaving my email, there was an email from a prinicpal from the middle school in Corsicana. He wanted to schedule an interview for 7th grade science. After talking, he remembered that we spoke back in May. (I also reminded him). We talked for a few minutes. He said I might get a call to set up an interview with a group of people. He is putting my name down for the 7th grade science position.
Only had one interview for this week. None for next week, yet. It is difficult trying to email principals. Some districts, you can't email them at all, and some, you can, with still a few, there are some and some you can't email. I have applied to too many school districts, and in a big circle to drive around and drop off my resume at the differernt schools. I have driven just a little over 50 miles one to schools and over 100 miles round trip for interviews. The Lord knows what he is doing, and in his time, he will lead me to the school he wants me at in the fall. I would love to know soon, but God's timing is better than my timing.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Scrapbooking
Today, I went to the Great American Scapbook Convention for the first time. I heard about it too late, so I couldn't crop at one of their cropping times. I love my expensive hobby of scrapbooking. I bought some page layouts that I want to use. How come all the layouts that are sold are only in 12 x12 layouts? There are people who use the 8 1/2 x 11 books as well. I have forgotten how many different books I am working on. They are all ongoing, except for one that I finish every year, the one I do of the school year. I take pics of my students doing the hands-on activities that I plan for them to do, and other things they do at school. I do a book for every school. There books for the past five years. I look forward to working on my books.
I am not into some of the different embellishments that are out there. I don't use the eyelets and brads. I use a few of the stickers/embellishments that make the pages thicker. I don't use the stamps, and a lot of the die cut makers. There are now computer programs for making page layouts and printing them up.
My biggest complaint, is that the different companies have forgotten about the teachers. The school stuff is geared towards parents doing their school years, or kids doing their own school years. Don't they realize that teachers take pictures of different activities in their classrooms and scrapbook what they do. It is hard finding stickers and papers to go with what the pictures that I take. These companies could make a killing of money off the teachers, if they would just cater to them. Some day they will wake up and realize what they have been missing, and scramble to make up for it.
I love to scrapbook. I love to take pictures. I sometimes think of page layouts when I am printing up pics from my camera. I enjoy showing my books and hearing what people say about what I have done. I feel good inside from hearing those compliments.
I am not into some of the different embellishments that are out there. I don't use the eyelets and brads. I use a few of the stickers/embellishments that make the pages thicker. I don't use the stamps, and a lot of the die cut makers. There are now computer programs for making page layouts and printing them up.
My biggest complaint, is that the different companies have forgotten about the teachers. The school stuff is geared towards parents doing their school years, or kids doing their own school years. Don't they realize that teachers take pictures of different activities in their classrooms and scrapbook what they do. It is hard finding stickers and papers to go with what the pictures that I take. These companies could make a killing of money off the teachers, if they would just cater to them. Some day they will wake up and realize what they have been missing, and scramble to make up for it.
I love to scrapbook. I love to take pictures. I sometimes think of page layouts when I am printing up pics from my camera. I enjoy showing my books and hearing what people say about what I have done. I feel good inside from hearing those compliments.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Interview #6
Today, I had my sixth interview since the middle of April. I interviewed for a third or fourth grade position in Mansfield. At this school, all the grades are self-contained. I haven't taught self-contained for 10 years. I have been departmentalized basically, since I moved to TX. I answer questions and I show one of my scrapbooks. I am carrying both books for this school year with me, now. I usually just show the second book-second semester.
I answer questions about my classroom management, how would I teach a certain subject, what do I know about certain things. I do not think about questions to ask in advance. All I really do is just pray about it and leave it in God's hands.
I do ask about parent involvement (have had basically zilcho on that), class sizes, different resources I have used to see about using them again. I would be interested in teaching self-contained, or even being departmentalized. I prefer teaching between third and sixth grades.
I answer questions about my classroom management, how would I teach a certain subject, what do I know about certain things. I do not think about questions to ask in advance. All I really do is just pray about it and leave it in God's hands.
I do ask about parent involvement (have had basically zilcho on that), class sizes, different resources I have used to see about using them again. I would be interested in teaching self-contained, or even being departmentalized. I prefer teaching between third and sixth grades.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
2 Phillips, Craig & Dean songs
There are two Phillips, Craig & Dean songs that I like a lot. Sing them both at church during the worship time. The first song is "Here I am to Worship"
"Light of the world You stepped out into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heard adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
Here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days Oh so hghly exatlted Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created All for lvoe's sake became poor
I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross"
The last four lines can at times tear me up.
The next song, there are a couple of lines that the Lord gave me during the last month of the school year. My aunt died of cancer, and my students were just being absolutely terrible. I was having bad days and bad weeks. I would think about these two lines through out the day, and it would greatly help.
Here is the second song: "You are God Alone"
"You are not a god crated by human hands
You are not a god Dependent on any mortal man
You are not a god In need of anything we can give
By your plan, that's just the way it is
chorus: You are God along From before time began
You were on Your throne You are God alone
and right now In the Godo times and bad
You are on Your throne You are God alone
You're the only God Whose power none can control
You're the only God Whose name and parise will never end
You are the only God Who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God and that's just the way it is
Bridge: Unchangeable Unshakeable Unstoppable
That's what you are
Here are the two lines that God put on my mind that just meant a lot to me, "In the good times and bad, You are on Your throne."
"Light of the world You stepped out into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heard adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
Here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days Oh so hghly exatlted Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created All for lvoe's sake became poor
I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross"
The last four lines can at times tear me up.
The next song, there are a couple of lines that the Lord gave me during the last month of the school year. My aunt died of cancer, and my students were just being absolutely terrible. I was having bad days and bad weeks. I would think about these two lines through out the day, and it would greatly help.
Here is the second song: "You are God Alone"
"You are not a god crated by human hands
You are not a god Dependent on any mortal man
You are not a god In need of anything we can give
By your plan, that's just the way it is
chorus: You are God along From before time began
You were on Your throne You are God alone
and right now In the Godo times and bad
You are on Your throne You are God alone
You're the only God Whose power none can control
You're the only God Whose name and parise will never end
You are the only God Who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God and that's just the way it is
Bridge: Unchangeable Unshakeable Unstoppable
That's what you are
Here are the two lines that God put on my mind that just meant a lot to me, "In the good times and bad, You are on Your throne."
Friday, June 02, 2006
How will you answer God?
One of the books I use for my daily devotions is called Experiencing God: The Daily devotional and Journal. I have been using this book since October 2000. Something stood out to me from today's reading. There was a verse mentioned that Paul wrote about answering to God about everything he said and did on Judgement Day. That got me thinking about what would I say to God about the words I haved said, my actions, my thoughts, and how I have been as a teacher. For some things, I have no idea what I would say. I will have to answer God about how I have lived up to my Mission Statement for my life or not.
Do you have a mission statement for your life? Mine is the following: "When others see me, they do not see me, but they will see Jesus instead." It is hard to live up to that at school. So many times, God is pushed to the back burner of my life during the school day. Can my students see Jesus when they see me? Do my friends and family see Jesus when they see me? I do have my struggles that I am working on totally giving to God, but it is hard. God never did say life would be a piece of cake.
Here is a verse I read today and memorized. Proverbs 2:6 (Living version) "For God gives wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding.
Do you have a mission statement for your life? Mine is the following: "When others see me, they do not see me, but they will see Jesus instead." It is hard to live up to that at school. So many times, God is pushed to the back burner of my life during the school day. Can my students see Jesus when they see me? Do my friends and family see Jesus when they see me? I do have my struggles that I am working on totally giving to God, but it is hard. God never did say life would be a piece of cake.
Here is a verse I read today and memorized. Proverbs 2:6 (Living version) "For God gives wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding.
Why the background
I chose the background of the Dots, because it reminded me of scrapbooking. I am an avid scrapbooker.
The beginning
I taught 5 1/2 years for Dallas ISD, and resigned after this school year. I know you don't resign from your old job until you get a new one, but...I did. This was a bad year for me. I needed a change.
I started looking for a new job at the beginning of March. I have been to five job fairs and five interviews so far. I have applied to between 15-20 school districts all in the North TX area. I do not want to teach younger than third grade or older than sixth grade. (I did interview for an 8th grade science position.) I could be self-contained, but wouldn't want to for fourth-writing test-not my cup of tea. I have taught science and social studies for the past 5 1/2 years, 3 1/2 in fifth and 2 in fourth.
I am going to use this to talk about looking for a job and then when I do get a job, about settling into a new district.
I will also talk about my wonderful seven year old niece. Who just completed the first grade today. I so want to see my family. But probably won't because they are up in OH, and I am down here in TX looking for a job.
I started looking for a new job at the beginning of March. I have been to five job fairs and five interviews so far. I have applied to between 15-20 school districts all in the North TX area. I do not want to teach younger than third grade or older than sixth grade. (I did interview for an 8th grade science position.) I could be self-contained, but wouldn't want to for fourth-writing test-not my cup of tea. I have taught science and social studies for the past 5 1/2 years, 3 1/2 in fifth and 2 in fourth.
I am going to use this to talk about looking for a job and then when I do get a job, about settling into a new district.
I will also talk about my wonderful seven year old niece. Who just completed the first grade today. I so want to see my family. But probably won't because they are up in OH, and I am down here in TX looking for a job.
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